Table of contents:
- What is saliva?
- What is the function of saliva?
- 1. Helping the process of digestion of food
- 2. Clean and protect the mouth
- 3. Prevent tooth and gum damage
- 4. Prevent dry mouth
- What if you produce a little saliva?
Maybe you are among those who have asked why the body was created to produce saliva, other than just being a "fragrance" pillow that you find when you wake up. If so, then you will find the answers to your questions here.
What is saliva?
Saliva, saliva, drool, in medical terms known as saliva. Saliva is a clear fluid produced by the salivary glands, a small organ on the inside of each side of the cheek, on the underside of the tongue, and under the jaw at the very front of the mouth. The salivary glands produce about 2 to 4 liters of saliva per day.
Despite its name, saliva is not only made of water but also contains mucus, protein, minerals, and an enzyme called amylase.
What is the function of saliva?
For those of you who ask, "what does saliva do?", Here are the answers:
1. Helping the process of digestion of food
The salivary glands produce saliva to wet and dissolve food, making it easier to digest. Before food enters the stomach, saliva breaks down the food with the help of the amylase enzyme which helps the starch break down in the mouth. The function of saliva also helps you swallow food by making it wet and soft so that it slides down your throat more easily.
2. Clean and protect the mouth
Saliva can clean the inside of your mouth, as well as rinse your teeth to keep it clean. The enzymes in saliva also help fight infections in the mouth.
3. Prevent tooth and gum damage
A study has shown that saliva can help protect against gum disease and tooth decay. Your teeth are covered with a thin layer of saliva which helps defend against bacteria. There are antimicrobial agents in saliva that help kill bacteria.
The function of the saliva that coats each tooth helps shed the leftovers stuck and can cause tooth decay. Saliva also carries minerals that help rebuild the surface of tooth enamel. Saliva can also help neutralize acids in the mouth during and after meals that break down tooth enamel.
4. Prevent dry mouth
The function of saliva can prevent dry mouth. As we age, we also produce less saliva. This causes dry mouth, or xerostomia. Therefore, to produce saliva, you can chew sugarless gum, eat something, or drink water.
What if you produce a little saliva?
As mentioned earlier that saliva can prevent dry mouth or xerostomia. So if the salivary glands only produce a little saliva, then you are at risk for experiencing it xerostomia.
Dry mouth can also be caused by certain medical conditions, such as Sjögren's syndrome and diabetes or by taking certain medications, such as allergies, high blood pressure, depression, and many more. Also, if you produce less saliva, you are more likely to develop certain problems, such as gum disease and tooth decay. You can have more infections from bacteria, yeast, and fungi. You may also have difficulty swallowing and digesting food.
