Believe it or not, even before the inventions of toothpaste and fluoride, our bodies were naturally armed to fight bacteria in our mouths. The weapon of choice? Our saliva.
Undoubtedly, brushing and flossing your teeth and scheduling visits to your dentist are extremely important to maintaining oral health. But, as cosmetic dentist D. Gordon Rye, D.D.S., of Rye Smiles for Life explains, our saliva is constantly fighting off bacteria.
Where does it come from?
Saliva is produced in salivary glands that are located in three areas of your mouth.
- The parotid salivary glands are in the cheeks, between the ear and nose.
- The sublingual salivary glands are under the tongue.
- The submandibular salivary glands are on the floor of the mouth, near the lower molar teeth.
What are the main functions of saliva?
Saliva aids us in our everyday life in many ways, most involuntary, which we never think twice about.
- When you put food in your mouth, the saliva allows you to chew and taste it.
- Every time you chew, saliva moistens the food so that is able to be swallowed. Without saliva, you would not be able to swallow solid foods.
- Saliva lubricates the throat so that when you do swallow food, it doesn’t tear at the lining of your throat.
- Saliva helps fight gum disease and tooth decay.
How does saliva protect your mouth?
In essence, your saliva works to bathe your mouth repeatedly throughout the day. By doing, so it has many positive effects:
- Saliva washes away food debris from your mouth.
- Because it is alkaline, saliva is able to neutralize the acids in your mouth and help prevent decay.
- It helps limit the growth of plaque and the formation of calcium on your teeth.
- It keeps dentures stable and in place.
And, not only does saliva help to prevent gum disease, but its calcium component also reverses the early stages of tooth decay.
What happens if your body stops producing saliva?
As you age, or if you are on certain medication, such as blood thinners, the amount of saliva the salivary glands produce gradually decreases. This can lead to:
- Dry mouth
- Halitosis (bad breath)
- Cracked or chapped lips
- Difficulty speaking or swallowing
Besides these nuisances, lack of saliva will also result in tooth decay and increased gum disease, which is why it should be brought to the attention of your dentist immediately.
If the cause of your dry mouth is medication, you can ask the physician who prescribed it to you if any alternative medications are available. Otherwise, you can still do a number of things to increase saliva production and continue to protect your mouth. Dr. Rye recommends finding a mouthwash or toothpaste that will help relieve dryness or take sips of water often to relieve some of the symptoms. Your dentist can also prescribe you a sialogogue, a medication which promotes the flow of saliva.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
