Dry mouth can lead to various dental problems and therefore it is essential that we have sufficient saliva in our mouth. For this reason, we have to keep our teeth clean and maintain our oral health. Saliva acts as a natural defense mechanism against tooth decay and therefore, it is considered one of the essential elements in our mouth. It is highly suggested that we keep our mouths filled with saliva so that it will help our mouths to prevent them from drying out completely.
In this article, we will study how saliva can help us by being a natural, powerful defense against tooth decay. If you are in Modesto, you can also consult an expert Modesto lasik who can help you learn more about the importance of saliva.
What is Saliva?
It is a very basic element in our mouth. It is 99% water, but a very essential element for our dental health. This water contains important minerals like calcium, phosphorus, and fluoride. This combination of minerals works amazingly to keep our teeth healthy and perform at their best.
Saliva is associated with the three pairs of salivary glands which are located in the cheeks, under the tongue, and jawbone. In addition to this, there are also hundreds of minor glands that help in saliva formation.
How Does Saliva Protect the Teeth?
Whenever we eat any food, there is a release of acid from the food and it can damage the enamel if there is no saliva. In this case, saliva washes away the harmful acid and even repairs the enamel thus, this process is known as remineralization.
It also helps in digestion because when you eat your food, the digestion process starts in your mouth. Saliva contains an enzyme called amylase that breaks down the sugar into smaller pieces and helps in digestion. It helps people swallow the food quickly and also avoid choking.
What Happens When There Is No Saliva?
If we take a hypothetical situation and think what would happen if there would be no saliva? It is not an acceptable situation because when there is no saliva, it would lead to dry mouth or xerostomia issue. This can lead to an increasing chance of gum disease and tooth decay. The mouth will become vulnerable to infections such as bacteria, yeast, and fungus. It will also make it difficult to swallow food, leading to bad breath and digestion issues.
Therefore, it is very important to have saliva in your mouth to conduct all the dental activities properly.
