People often forget how important saliva is for oral health. There are glands in and around the mouth that make this clear fluid. It does many things that are good for your health.
We are going to learn more about the interesting world of saliva and how it helps keep your teeth healthy. For more information, consider visiting a dentist on Kirkwood highway.
The multifaceted role of saliva.
Saliva is made up of nutrients, proteins, enzymes, and water. It is very important for a number of important reasons:
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Lubrication.
Saliva helps with talking, eating, and drinking by acting as a cushion. It keeps the mouth wet and stops it from drying out, so you can comfortably use your mouth.
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Digestion.
Saliva breaks down food particles, especially carbs, to start the digestive process. It has enzymes in it, such as amylase, that break down starch into simpler sugars.
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Protection.
Saliva keeps dangerous bacteria and fungus out of the mouth by creating a buffer. It has antibacterial chemicals in it that help stop the growth of germs, which lowers the risk of getting an illness.
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Neutralization.
Saliva helps to balance out the acids that mouth germs make. These acids can wear away tooth enamel, which can cause cavities. Saliva helps keep teeth from decaying by neutralizing the acidic lining of the mouth.
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Remineralization.
Minerals in saliva, such as calcium and phosphate, help fix small holes in tooth enamel. This process, called remineralization, makes teeth stronger and stops cavities from happening.
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Taste perception.
Saliva breaks up bits of food so that taste sensors on the tongue can pick up on flavors. This makes us taste things better and makes us enjoy food more.
The impact of dry mouth.
When your mouth does not make enough saliva, you have a dry mouth, also called xerostomia. This can be very bad for your oral health. Dry mouth can cause a number of problems with your oral health, such as:
- Tooth decay: Less saliva flow lets bacteria grow, which raises the chance of gum disease and tooth rot.
- Bad breath: Saliva helps get rid of germs and bits of food that cause bad breath. Bad breath can be caused by dry mouth.
- Problems with chewing and swallowing: It can be hard to chew and swallow when you have a dry mouth, which can limit the amount of food you can eat and lower your quality of life in general.
- Oral infections: Less saliva flow can make mouth illnesses like thrush and candida more likely.
- Sore throat and hoarseness: Having a dry mouth can hurt the throat and vocal cords, which can make you feel bad and cause changes in your voice.
How to maintain salivary health.
To keep your salivary health at its best, think about these suggestions:
- Stay hydrated: Do not forget to drink a lot of water throughout the day to keep your mouth wet.
- Limit your intake of sugary foods and drinks: These can make your mouth dry by stopping your body from making saliva.
- Stay away from tobacco and too much alcohol: Both can hurt the mouth’s cells and make it harder for saliva to move.
- Practice good oral hygiene: This means cleaning, flossing, and using mouthwash every day. This will help get rid of plaque and germs, which will make saliva’s job easier.
- Think about using products that make you salivate: Sugar-free gum and lozenges can help you make more saliva.
- Speak to your dentist: If you have chronic dry mouth, talk to your dentist to find out what is causing it and what treatment choices are best for you.
You can make a big difference in your oral health and quality of life by learning how important saliva is and taking steps to keep it healthy. If you are worried about your saliva, schedule an appointment with your dentist today.
