The Importance of Saliva: An Unsung Hero in Oral Health

Saliva just might be the superhero of your dental health. Your hardworking saliva multitasks in amazing ways. It fights harmful bacteria and protects your teeth, aids in digestion, and helps heal tissue. All while keeping your mouth moist and comfortable.

On average, a person produces 0.5-1.5 liters of saliva every day. That’s roughly 2-6 cups! Most people don’t really think about their saliva until something goes wrong. And when things do go wrong, such as chronic dry mouth (xerostomia), oral health issues soon follow.

What Does Saliva Do?

Even though you’re producing all of that saliva each day, you probably don’t give it a second thought. But it’s there for so many reasons. Here’s how saliva contributes to your oral health.

Protects Teeth from Decay

When it comes to protecting your teeth, saliva is on the front lines neutralizing acids that produce bacteria that cause decay and enamel erosion. It also helps restore tooth enamel through the minerals it carries, calcium and phosphate, and buffers the acids in foods and drinks that threaten healthy teeth.

Fights Bacteria and Prevents Infection

Your saliva is loaded with antimicrobials that prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi. Healthy saliva also balances the bacteria in your mouth. When the balance is disrupted, bacteria invade, leading to cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. Saliva washes away the food particles left behind that the bacteria feed on, though it doesn’t replace brushing and flossing.

Aids Digestion

Digestion doesn’t begin in your stomach; it starts in your mouth. An enzyme in saliva called amylase begins breaking down your food before you swallow. Saliva lubricates your food, helping you swallow comfortably. Chew your food thoroughly for the full effect.

Helps Heal Soft Tissue

Saliva contains proteins and growth factors that promote healing. That’s why minor mouth sores and cuts heal faster than injuries almost anywhere else on your body.

Supports Speech and Comfort

Saliva’s lubricating effect maintains the flexibility of your lips, tongue, and cheeks, enabling you to speak with ease. It also provides the necessary moisture for your taste receptors to detect flavors, making chewing, swallowing, and tasting all more enjoyable.

What Happens When You Don't Have Enough Saliva?

If your salivary gland function doesn’t produce enough saliva, you may suffer from xerostomia, or dry mouth. When saliva production drops off, so do all of its protective and beneficial functions. Enamel weakens due to unbuffered acids, and bacteria accumulate. The risk to your oral health is real.

Does dry mouth cause cavities? Yes. In fact, insufficient saliva production is a leading risk factor for tooth decay, especially root cavities in older adults.

Other oral health issues associated with xerostomia:

• Gum Disease: Without saliva’s antibacterial protection, plaque develops along the gumline much faster.
• Halitosis: Bad breath develops from both bacteria and food that isn’t washed away.
• Difficulty in Function: Chewing, swallowing, and even speaking are all impacted by dry mouth.
  
  

Some of the most common dry mouth causes include medications like antihistamines, hypertension drugs, and certain antidepressants, as well as dehydration, cancer treatment, aging, and autoimmune conditions like Sjögren’s syndrome.

How to Support Healthy Saliva Production

There are ways to increase saliva production naturally:

• Stay hydrated! Drinking plenty of water throughout the day is the number one way to increase saliva production. Try to limit caffeinated beverages, acidic fruit juices, and alcohol. All of these have a dehydrating effect on your saliva.
• Chew sugar-free gum to stimulate the salivary glands and increase saliva flow.
• Breathe through your nose. Mouth breathing dries out your mouth and reduces the beneficial effects of saliva.
• Go crunchy! Chewing crunchy fruits and veggies like apples, carrots, and celery naturally stimulates saliva production. What a tasty way to treat dry mouth.
  
  

Wondering how to increase saliva production? Talk to your dentist about your medications and your dry mouth. They can recommend saliva substitutes. And don’t forego your regular dental check-ups. Your dentist can monitor any reduction in your saliva and its effects on your teeth and gums before problems develop.

Keep Your Smile Protected with Gentle Dental

Healthy saliva is the first line of defense for your oral health. Always practice good daily habits and schedule regular dental check-ups. At Gentle Dental, our comprehensive preventive care includes routine cleanings and assessments to detect early signs of dry-mouth-related damage before they become a greater threat.

Mention your concerns at your next visit so our team can evaluate your saliva health, review your medications, and recommend solutions. Gentle Dental accepts most insurance plans and offers flexible payment options. Don’t risk your oral health by ignoring saliva issues.

Schedule your next preventative visit at a Gentle Dental location near you.