Super Hero Of Oral Health – Saliva
by Dr. Stephen J. Parr D.D.S.
Read Super Hero Of Oral Health – Saliva by Dr. Stephen J. Parr D.D.S. to learn more about Grove Smiles® Dentistry and our Dentistry office in Coconut Grove, FL.
We look forward to serving you! Call - 305-858-0505.
We love superheroes. Our culture at the moment is fascinated by them. As children we loved humming the theme song and, of course, adding the sound effects to our heroic movements. Now, what if one our superheroes was just under our noses? I am talking about the Aquaman of your mouth – your saliva.
Read on to learn how your saliva saves the day as it has an important role in your oral and digestive health.
The Super Powers of Saliva
Our bodies make two to four pints of saliva a day. That means that over a lifetime, a person will create enough saliva to fill two swimming pools! So, why is saliva important? Well, there’s more than one answer to that. Besides allowing us to give wet willies or make spit wads when we were kids, our saliva has many important functions.
First, saliva aids in digestion. It begins the process of breaking down food and helps us chew, taste and swallow. In fact, without our spit, we wouldn’t be able to taste at all!
Additionally, saliva is essential to maintaining our oral health. Our spit contains antimicrobial agents that protect teeth and defend against bacteria. It also contains minerals such as calcium and phosphate that remineralize our teeth, strengthening the enamel.
Your saliva plays an especially important role after eating and drinking. It washes away that extra food and debris left in your mouth that contributes to decay. It also helps neutralize the acids created by bacteria that break down enamel and cause cavities. Thank you, saliva!
What Happens When You Do Not Make Enough Saliva?
Some people have a condition called dry mouth, where they aren’t producing enough saliva. Certain illnesses and medications can cause dry mouth, and those who have it are more prone to tooth decay and gum disease as a result.
For those with and without dry mouth, here are some tips to increase saliva production and protect your teeth:
- Chew sugar-free gum, especially after meals
- Suck on sugarless candy
- Drink plenty of water
Our Smiles Around The Clock Protection
Saliva may just be the unsung hero of our oral health. It is constantly strengthening and defending our teeth against bacteria, decay and dental disease. At the end of the day, all we can say is that our bodies are amazing and our spit is awesome!
Our Dental Justice League
Come join the Grove Smiles Dentistry Dental Justice League of cavity fighters! Our great oral health dental team is led by Dr. Stephen Parr who has been treating patients in the Coconut Grove, FL area for nearly 30 years.
Call us for whatever the situation is, we will make sure that you get the treatment that you need!
For Your Health,
Dr. Stephen J. Parr D.D.S.
