Role Of Saliva In Dental Hygiene

Saliva is the clear liquid in our mouth that is made by several glands. Saliva plays a vital role in a healthy body. Water is the main component of saliva. However, it does contain some other components that are beneficial in food digestion and keeping the teeth strong and healthy. Saliva is mainly produced when you chew. And the harder you chew, the more saliva your salivary glands make. Also, sucking on a cough drop or candy helps to make saliva too.

Saliva plays several roles in oral and body health, and it is also central to the wellbeing and quality of life.  Some of these important roles of saliva in dental hygiene include the following:

Saliva Maintains Stable pH inside your Mouth

A stable pH level in your mouth should be maintained at all cost. There are numerous ways by which one can address oral health optimisation. And one of them is by fuelling or lubricating your saliva with appropriate nutrients to balance a salubrious oral mucosa. Additionally, the fuelling and the lubrication helps to protect against thermal, chemical and mechanical irritation. It also assists in smooth airflow, swallowing and speech

Saliva Holds Ions Needed for Maintenance of the Tooth Enamel

Similar to a moisturiser, saliva is a mineralizing agent. It plays an important role in adding nutrients and minerals by washing through your gums and teeth thereby toughening your oral mucosa. Also, one needs to get enough nutrition in your diet in order to support the process of remineralising the teeth and to produce good saliva.

Saliva Buffers and Dilutes Plaque Acids

When there is sufficient saliva production, it helps to prevent tooth decay. Tooth decay occurs due to demineralisation of the tooth enamel. Through saliva stimulation, neutralising and diluting plaque acids after eating provides that extra kick of mineral ions thereby promoting the process of mineralisation.

Saliva Prevents Gum Problems

Gum disease has highly been linked to reduced level of saliva in the mouth. Unfortunately, this problem is more prevalent to older people. It occurs as a person gets older. Saliva acts as a natural immunity against gum disease. Other than compounds such as lactoferrin which prevents gum problems from thriving in your mouth, saliva contains natural enzymes which maintain your mouth. One of them is lysozyme which destabilizes bacterial cell walls that lead to gum diseases.

Other Important Roles of Saliva include:

• It forms a protective coat on the tooth enamel.
• Saliva acts as a solvent hence allowing interaction of food with the taste buds.
• Saliva clears food between your teeth and aids swallowing.

Bottom Line

The key to having good saliva is in your diet, the amount of water you take, how you breathe and any medications you may be on. Having good saliva is essential in protecting your gums from disease and your teeth from decay. If you are in for more information or if you are concerned about the quality of your saliva, feel free to contact or visit our dentists at Springvale Dental Clinic.