Saliva serves a very important role in your dental care and health. If you do not have enough saliva in your mouth, you can develop all kinds of dental problems. These problems may include infection, dental decay, erosion, discoloration, and problems with swallowing. When any of these conditions occur, you may experience dental pain as well. That is why we suggest you see us immediately if your saliva flow is poor. Dry mouth is one symptom that you need to address to improve your dental health overall.
Why Saliva is Important
Made mostly of water, saliva also contains essential substances that the body needs for digestion. These substances also contribute to keeping your body strong. Saliva contains proteins and minerals that protect the enamel of teeth and prevent periodontal disease and tooth decay. Also, you need to a good flow of saliva to keep your mouth moist and help you taste, chew, and swallow with ease. When your saliva is flowing, it also fights bacteria and prevents halitosis or bad breath. People who wear dentures need saliva to keep their dentures in place.
How Saliva Flows
Saliva is produced from six main salivary glands in the mouth as well as hundreds of minor ones. Saliva moves naturally through tubes known as salivary ducts. A normal flow is around two to four pints of saliva per day. Most of the saliva production takes place in late afternoon. The least amount of saliva is produced during the night, or while you sleep. That is why it is important that you brush your teeth before you go to bed. Doing so will keep bacteria from accumulating while you sleep. Certain medicines or diseases can affect saliva flow, and therefore should be reported to us, so we can help you with any resulting flow problems.
If you would like to learn more about treating dry mouth or saliva flow, give us a call today. Schedule and appointment and consultation. If you need help with finding ways of producing more saliva, we are only a phone call away.
Dentist Tigard, OR | Dental Blog - Lincoln Center Smiles Dr. Saklofsky has created an educational blog as a resource for our patients. If you like an article or the dental blog in general please share it to social media, then call (971) 317-9499 to make an appointment. Lincoln Center Smiles, 10500 SW Greenburg Rd, Suite 3, Portland, OR 97223-1406 ^ (503) 598-0898 ^ sakdental.com ^ 10/3/2024 ^ Related Phrases: dentist Tigard OR ^
Saliva serves a very important role in your dental care and health. If you do not have enough saliva in your mouth, you can develop all kinds of dental problems. These problems may include infection, dental decay, erosion, discoloration, and problems with swallowing. When any of these conditions occur, you may experience dental pain as well. That is why we suggest you see us immediately if your saliva flow is poor. Dry mouth is one symptom that you need to address to improve your dental health overall.