With the exception of the odd drool when you smell a tasty meal, your saliva does an excellent job of keeping your mouth healthy in silence.
According to Dr. Youstina, a dentist at Mount Druitt Dental, the flow of saliva maintains the mouth clean, clear of food particles, and conceals foul smell.
Here, she discusses some of the most interesting facts regarding human saliva.
What is saliva comprised of?
“The salivary gland in the mouth produces and secretes saliva,” “It consists of 98% water, electrolytes, minerals (including calcium and phosphates), mucus, white blood cells, enzymes, and antibacterial agents.
Here are many of its health benefits:
Functioning as a lubricant
He argues that saliva keeps the mouth wet and pleasant. It protects the oral tissues from damage and prevents food from adhering to the surfaces of the mouth. The moistening effect of saliva is also beneficial to speaking.”
2. Aiding digestion
“It helps by moistening the food you chew, making it easier to transfer from your mouth to your oesophagus,” The salivary enzymes amylase and lipase aid in the digestion of food into simpler nutrients.
3. Contributing to flavour
“Saliva functions as a liquid medium to dissolve and transport food components to taste-receptor cells,” he says. People with minimal saliva frequently complain of dysgeusia, a taste disease characterised by a diminished capacity to taste, or a constant unpleasant taste.
4. protecting against deterioration and illness
Dr. Youstina, “It regulates the oral pH by buffering and neutralising toxic acids in the mouth, so preventing acid assaults on the teeth that cause tooth decay.” the enamel, the minerals in saliva help heal teeth in the early stages of dental decay.
Man eating an apple.
Excessive drool the amount of saliva generated throughout the day might fluctuate based on what you eat and drink, and it is common for salivary glands to go into overdrive while consuming spicy or acidic meals.
“The mouth typically eliminates excessive saliva by swallowing more often. If this weight is humiliating to you, consider modifying your diet.”
Hypersalivation is the term for excessive salivation, which can be caused by drugs or medical disorders such as:
allergens and pathogens
Sleep apnoea
adverse effects of drugs
Stroke or neurological problems causing difficulty swallowing.
“Depending on the reason, treatment for excessive saliva may involve drugs to limit saliva production, Botox injections into the salivary glands, or surgical excision of specific glands,”
dryness of the mouth
The absence of salvia, also known as xerostomia, is a typical sign of anxiety and stress.
Dr. Youstina adds, “some drugs, medical conditions, and therapies might limit saliva production.” Diabetes, Sjogren’s syndrome (an autoimmune illness that destroys the salivary glands), chemotherapy, radiation therapy to the head and neck, dehydration, and antidepressant medicines are examples.
Having too little saliva can be a serious concern since it provides less defence against oral pathogens.
To stimulate salivation and maintain a moist, pleasant mouth, he suggests:
Taking in a lot of water
Chewing sugarless gum to stimulate salivation
Using artificial saliva replacements for oral hydration (talk to your dentist about these)
Rinsing with baking soda to neutralise oral acids
Maintaining exceptional oral hygiene.
Consult a dentist in your area.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact mount druitt dental