The Gum Ridge
By: Maxx Musemeche
What is the Gum Ridge?
- The gum ridge is also known as the "Alveolar Ridge"
- The gum ridge is located in two places!
- On the roof of the mouth between the upper teeth and the hard palate
- And on the bottom of the mouth behind the lower teeth.
What does the Gum Ridge do for Speaking?
- The gum ridge is known to produce constants that include (t), (d), (n), (l), (s), (z).
- Examples: dog, night, lap, say, crazy.
- Using these constants the tip of the tongue touches the gum ridge and these constants become known as "Alveolar Constants".
Does the Gum Ridge Move?
- The gum ridge itself does not move but the tongue uses it as another point of articulation for sounds.
Facts
- The sockets the gum ridge forms for the teeth can be felt with the tongue right above the top teeth or below the bottom teeth.
- The gum ridge can wear down after a while due to different kinds of tobacco which can lead to tooth lose, gum disease and or cancer.
- The gum ridge is consisted of gums, bone, nerves and blood vessels which hold the teeth in place and also keep a constant blood flow to the teeth.