Does saliva | Diseases and conditions.
Saliva is made up of 99% water, but plays a key role not only for
maintaining the health of the oral cavity, but also to correct
swallowing and digestion of food. You know their functions.
The saliva, which is made up of water by 99% and 1% remaining for various organic and inorganic substances, comes from six salivary glands - Parotid two, two sulinguales and two submaxillary - secreting it 24 hours a day, although the production is greater before during and after the meal, and decreases noticeably during the night.
Fluctuations in the amount of saliva can be a symptom of a disease or infectious process, or a side effect of certain medications or treatments
Both the quantity and the quality of saliva are important, because each of the components of this fluid plays a specific role; Thus, water is involved in cleaning, the preparation of food to be swallowed, the appreciation of flavors, phonation or digestion, among others, while the phosphate, calcium and fluorine help remineralisation of teeth, and the lisocima and immunoglobulins have an antimicrobial action.
Saliva is essential to maintain the health of the oral cavity, but also is involved in processes of the body such as digestion, so it is important to pay attention to possible alterations in salivary flow - which may be due to many causes physiological or pathological-, and have as a consequence either excessive salivation - what is known as drooling- , or less than normal or hyposalivation or xerostomia (dry mouth).
Fluctuations in the amount of saliva should consult the doctor because they can be a symptom of a disease or infectious process, or a side effect of certain medications or treatments. However, the disorder of lack or excess of saliva is irreversible when it is due to a deterioration of the salivary glands.
Published for educational purposes
The saliva, which is made up of water by 99% and 1% remaining for various organic and inorganic substances, comes from six salivary glands - Parotid two, two sulinguales and two submaxillary - secreting it 24 hours a day, although the production is greater before during and after the meal, and decreases noticeably during the night.
Fluctuations in the amount of saliva can be a symptom of a disease or infectious process, or a side effect of certain medications or treatments
Both the quantity and the quality of saliva are important, because each of the components of this fluid plays a specific role; Thus, water is involved in cleaning, the preparation of food to be swallowed, the appreciation of flavors, phonation or digestion, among others, while the phosphate, calcium and fluorine help remineralisation of teeth, and the lisocima and immunoglobulins have an antimicrobial action.
Saliva is essential to maintain the health of the oral cavity, but also is involved in processes of the body such as digestion, so it is important to pay attention to possible alterations in salivary flow - which may be due to many causes physiological or pathological-, and have as a consequence either excessive salivation - what is known as drooling- , or less than normal or hyposalivation or xerostomia (dry mouth).
Fluctuations in the amount of saliva should consult the doctor because they can be a symptom of a disease or infectious process, or a side effect of certain medications or treatments. However, the disorder of lack or excess of saliva is irreversible when it is due to a deterioration of the salivary glands.
Functions of saliva
Saliva carries out functions of digestive, protective health oral against disorders like decay, and antibacterial:- It lubricates and protects the teeth and oral mucosa.
- Remineralizes the surface of teeth.
- It is involved in the preparation of the food bowl and facilitates swallowing and its passage through the digestive tract, protecting the esophagus and preventing the choking.
- It contributes to the taste buds to better identify the taste of food.
- It eliminates microorganisms that remain after the meal.
- It maintains the pH of the mouth, reducing harmful acids to tooth enamel.
- Drag the bacteria, preventing the formation of dental plaque. The enzyme lysozyme, present in saliva, also fights certain types of bacteria.
- It has an antimicrobial action.
- It helps to diagnose some diseases and to follow the evolution of certain medical treatments.
Published for educational purposes
This web site does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment