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Saliva, also called spit, is often reviled as a disgusting and vulgar substance. While its existence isn’t a glamorous one, it performs several crucial jobs for eating and protecting your teeth. Saliva helps break down food and lubricate the mouth while providing the teeth and tissues within it with minerals and other chemicals that they need to stay healthy. When you sit down to your Thanksgiving feast this year, remember to express a little gratitude for everything your saliva does for you.
What Is Saliva?
Saliva is about 98% water, but it also contains small amounts of crucial materials such as proteins, minerals, electrolytes, mucus, enzymes, and antibacterial compounds. It is constantly secreted from three pairs of glands in the mouth, and they turn out an impressive two to four pints of the stuff every day. Because saliva is a crucial part of the digestion process, these glands ramp up production when you eat, smell, or think about food.
What Does Saliva Do?
Saliva is a versatile secretion that performs a number of duties that are essential to your oral and overall health, including:
- Moistening the mouth.
- Lubricating the teeth to protect them from injury.
- Remineralizing the enamel layer to keep teeth strong.
- Providing enzymes that begin breaking down food.
- Helping wash away residues and food debris.
- Making your mouth’s environment more hostile to harmful bacteria and other germs.
- Lubricating food so it slides down the throat easily and harmlessly.
What Happens If My Mouth Isn’t Producing Saliva?
If your mouth is not producing sufficient saliva, the resulting condition is called dry mouth or xerostomia. Without saliva, your mouth becomes more prone to infections, leading to the development of cavities and gum disease. Swallowing becomes more difficult and harsher on the mouth and throat due to food remaining hard and rigid. Because germs are not being cleaned away, bad breath develops. The gums and tongue will swell, and your mouth will feel much more uncomfortable overall.
How Can I Promote Healthy Saliva Flow?
One of the best things you can do to keep your saliva levels at healthy levels is to drink plenty of water. Chewing sugar-free gum after meals promotes saliva flow, helping this fluid to wash away any lingering food particles. It’s also important to practice excellent oral hygiene and keep up with regular dentist appointments to keep your mouth healthy and strong.
About the Practice
Real Dental provides effective oral health treatments in a relaxing environment in Grand Prairie, TX. Led by Drs. Christopher Duong, John Kuan, Jim Lee, and Bradley Kou, the staff provides patients with everything they need to maintain gorgeous smiles for life. Areas of expertise include general, pediatric, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry. For more tips on promoting healthy saliva flow, contact the office online or dial (817) 406-7239.
