Understanding the Importance of Saliva/Spit
Most people don’t give their spit a second thought during their day-to-day life. However, saliva plays a crucial role in maintaining oral health. From keeping tissues healthy to aiding digestion, it’s more essential than you might think. Without it, a dry mouth can be more than just uncomfortable.
What is Saliva?
It is a fluid that’s at least 95% water, but also contains mucus, electrolytes, enzymes, immunoglobulins, proteins, and antibacterial compounds. These components help break down food when you eat. Chewing activates your salivary glands, which is why there’s usually more spit in your mouth while you eat.
Why is Saliva Important?
Saliva defends your mouth against bacteria, forming a lubricated barrier across your tongue, gums, cheeks, and mouth. This lubrication keeps your mouth moist and allows you to speak smoothly. It helps molecules interact with your taste buds, enabling you to taste food. Enzymes in saliva help you chew and swallow by breaking food down and carrying it down your throat without irritating tissues.
Saliva also cleans your mouth by diluting sugars and dislodging food particles that could feed harmful bacteria. It keeps your teeth strong and protects tooth enamel by neutralizing acids and remineralizing tooth surfaces. It can be tested to identify disease risks, as the proteins and DNA in spit can diagnose viruses, allergies, fertility issues, some cancers, and more.
What Happens if You Have a Dry Mouth?
If you don’t produce enough saliva, your mouth can become very dry, a condition called xerostomia. Without the lubricated barrier and cleansing action of saliva, your mouth’s soft tissues can become irritated and inflamed from harmful bacteria build-up. This can cause gingivitis (gum inflammation) or periodontitis (infected gums), leading to tooth decay and cavities if untreated. Gum infections and decaying teeth can also cause bad breath and affect your ability to taste.
Causes of Dry Mouth
Several factors can cause dry mouth, including:
- Certain diseases (e.g., diabetes, HIV/AIDS, Parkinson’s, Sjogren’s syndrome)
- Dehydration (not drinking enough water)
- Blockages in salivary glands or ducts
- Stressful situations (‘fight or flight’ responses)
- Bad lifestyle habits (like smoking or poor nutrition)
- Cancer treatments (like chemotherapy and radiation)
Many medications can also affect saliva flow, including antihistamines, appetite suppressants, blood pressure drugs, antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs, and some painkillers.
How to Keep Your Saliva Healthy
To maintain healthy saliva production:
- Drink plenty of water. Stay hydrated but avoid sugary drinks.
- Practice good oral hygiene. Brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss once a day.
- Avoid mouthwash with alcohol, as it can dry out your mouth.
- Chew gum with erythritol or xylitol, or eat sugar-free mints to increase saliva.
If you consistently lack saliva, see your dentist for an assessment. You should visit your dentist for a check-up at least twice a year for professional cleaning of your teeth and gums.
Our Smile Couture Team is happy to assess your mouth’s health and advise you on helpful treatments.
