How vital is saliva to your well-being? Have you ever stopped to consider this? We do not give it much thought. However, individuals dealing with illnesses that reduce the amount or quality of saliva appreciate the value of each spit. It significantly impacts our general well-being through the functions it conducts in our mouths. A dentist in Kings Mountain, NC can help with your dry mouth issues.
What is Saliva, and How is it Made?
Saliva is mainly composed of water but contains trace quantities of proteins, minerals, enzymes, electrolytes, mucus, and antimicrobial chemicals. Our bodies require certain nutrients to digest food and keep our teeth healthy.
Producing saliva is the job of several salivary glands in and around the mouth, including the cheeks, floor of the mouth, lips, and palate. There are hundreds of more minor salivary glands and six larger ones.
Saliva production typically ranges from two to four quarts per day. It comes out when you bite into a hard candy or suck on it. While saliva production peaks during the day, it drops significantly at night.
How Saliva Can Help
Saliva aids in preserving healthy teeth and gums and adds to a higher quality of life. Would you like to know the way? To help you understand, here is a compiled list:
- Moisturizes and soothes the mouth.
- Feeling better as you chew, taste, and swallow
- It eliminates terrible breath-causing bacteria in the mouth.
- Tooth enamel is protected from cavities and gum disease by the minerals and proteins in saliva.
- It ensures that dentures stay put.
Are you aware of the unique healing properties of morning saliva? People have known about the benefits of morning saliva for more than two thousand years. Pimples, acne, and other skin infections may respond well to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial characteristics.
When you Produce less Saliva.
Saliva production is lower for some people. The disorder is known as xerostomia, and certain diseases or drugs can cause it. People who deal with dry mouth often find that it negatively impacts their oral health and causes discomfort. One of the most common worries is the possibility of root degeneration. It is a significant concern for dentists because the disease advances quickly and is notoriously hard to cure. Other connected problems include altered taste perception, foul breath, trouble speaking, eating, and swallowing.
Fortunately, some therapies can alleviate the symptoms and restore salivary function. These treatments can increase salivary flow and minimize harm.
