Contents:
- Medical Video: 7 Things Your Saliva Says About Your Health
- What is saliva?
- What is the function of saliva?
- 1. Helps digestion process of food
- 2. Cleanse and protect the mouth
- 3. Prevent damage to teeth and gums
- 4. Prevent dry mouth
- What if the production of saliva is small?
Medical Video: 7 Things Your Saliva Says About Your Health
Maybe you are among those who have asked why the body was created producing saliva, besides just being a "fragrance" pillow that you find when you wake up. If so, then you will find answers to your questions here.
What is saliva?
Saliva, saliva, iler, in medical terms known as saliva. Saliva is a clear liquid produced by salivary glands, a small organ on the inside of each side of the cheek, at the bottom of the tongue, and under the jaw at the very front of the mouth. Salivary glands produce saliva about 2 to 4 liters per day.
Although the name is water, 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 function?", Here is the answer:
1. Helps digestion process of food
Saliva 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 amylase enzymes that help starch break in the mouth. The function of saliva also helps you swallow food by making it wet and soft so that it can slide into your throat more easily.
2. Cleanse and protect the mouth
Saliva can clean the inside of the mouth, and rinse teeth to keep them clean. Enzymes in saliva also help fight infections in the mouth.
3. Prevent damage to teeth and gums
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 saliva lining each tooth helps to shed the remaining food get stuck and can cause tooth decay. Saliva also carries minerals that help rebuild the surface of enamel teeth. Saliva can also help neutralize acid in the mouth during and after eating which breaks down tooth enamel.
4. Prevent dry mouth
The function of saliva can prevent the occurrence of 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 the production of saliva is small?
As mentioned earlier, saliva can prevent dry mouth or xerostomia. So if only the saliva glands produce little saliva, then you are at risk of experiencing it xerostomia.
Dry mouth can also be caused by certain medical conditions, such as Sjögren's syndrome and diabetes or consumption of certain drugs, such as allergies, high blood pressure, depression, and more. In addition, if the production of saliva is small, you are more likely to experience certain problems, such as gum disease and tooth decay. You can have more infections from bacteria, yeast, and fungi. You can also have difficulty swallowing and digesting food.
