What is Saliva?
You may think saliva is a normal component of your mouth, but your saliva is anything but ordinary. It helps protect your teeth and gums, and without it, everyday activities such as chewing and swallowing would be difficult.
Saliva is a clear liquid made by several glands in your mouth. It is 99% water and 1% proteins, electrolytes, and other substances. Saliva helps moisten the mouth for comfort, neutralizes harmful acids that can affect your oral health, and lubricates your mouth and throat as you chew and swallow.
Why is Saliva Important?
Saliva plays a significant role in maintaining your oral health and is essential for digestion. Having less saliva increases the risk of developing tooth decay or dental infections, since saliva helps keep harmful germs in check. Below are ways saliva helps keep your mouth healthy and aids with digestion:
- Saliva helps build and maintain the health of soft and hard tissues in the mouth.
- It protects against gum disease and tooth decay by washing away food from teeth and gums.
- Saliva helps keep your teeth strong. It provides disease-fighting substances to help prevent tooth decay.
- It helps moisten food and breaks it down to ease swallowing.
- Saliva contains an enzyme, which helps the stomach break down starches in food.
What is Dry Mouth (Xerostomia)?
An average person produces 2-4 pints of saliva every day, but some people do not make enough saliva. This condition is called dry mouth or xerostomia. If you do not make enough saliva, your mouth can become quite dry.
Oral problems such as gum disease and cavities can develop easier when the mouth does not have enough saliva. Also, germs usually thrive with this condition, which can cause bad breath. People with dry mouth usually experience the uncomfortable feeling of a dry mouth, including swollen gums and tongue. Click here for answers to many questions about dry mouth from the National Institutes of Health.
Other conditions that can cause dry mouth include:
- Certain health conditions, such as diabetes can cause a reduction in saliva.
- Side effects from certain medications, including those for allergies or high blood pressure can cause the salivary glands to make less saliva.
- Smoking and alcohol can dry out the mouth.
- Dehydration can cause dry mouth. If you do not have enough fluid in your body, you may not be able to produce the saliva you need.
What Can I Do to Relieve Dry Mouth Symptoms?
Chewing is the most efficient way to increase salivary flow. It causes muscles to compress the salivary glands and release saliva. Try the following tips to increase saliva flow and ease dry mouth:
- Drink plenty of water every day. Drink tap water, it contains fluoride.
- Chew sugar-free gum.
- Suck on sugar-free candy or mints.
- Do not use tobacco products or alcohol.
- Avoid or limit foods that are salty, spicy, or acidic.
- Keep up with your daily dental care and visit the dentist twice (2) a year.
Saliva is important to maintain the health of your entire mouth and for digestion. Speak with your dentist or doctor if you are suffering from inadequate saliva flow or dry mouth.
