The Crucial Role Saliva Plays In Your Oral Health

The Crucial Role Saliva Plays in Your Oral Health

Saliva, that transparent, watery liquid in our mouths is also an overlooked worker that contributes in a big way to our oral health.

Saliva Saves Your Mouth

Think of saliva as a climate-control system, powerful food dissolver and all-around digestive aid. Saliva contains powerful compounds that help digest food as you eat.

Saliva Protects Gums from Bacteria

Saliva’s tooth-fortifying, germ-minimising proteins and minerals lower the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. It also combats bad breath by keeping away bacteria.¹⁷

Saliva Prevents Dry Mouth

As we age, we also produce less saliva. This is called dry mouth, or, in technical terms, xerostomia. Some dry-mouth symptoms can include the uncomfortable feeling where your tongue feels swollen, it’s tough to swallow and you feel like you’re forcibly pushing spit down your throat.

More than just a nuisance, dry mouth is an open invitation to germs, and bacteria flourish when saliva is scarce18. This is why offensive breath often accompanies dry mouth, and why it increases the risk of gum disease, cavities and tooth decay.

While it’s more typical when we’re older, dry mouth can also be caused by certain medications, chronic conditions like diabetes, stress, smoking or even dehydration.

Keeping saliva flowing is an essential part of keeping your gums and teeth healthy. When your mouth is feeling dry, you can quickly produce saliva by chewing sugarless gum, eating something or drinking water; and, if taking any medications where dry mouth is a side effect, consult your doctor about ways to lessen its effects or possibly switching prescriptions¹⁸.