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It is essential to keep our mouth clean to maintain our oral health, but in this process, we often need to remember the importance of saliva. Additionally, saliva is the most powerful natural defense against tooth decay. Therefore, it is always suggested that we keep our mouths filled with saliva so that it will help our mouths to prevent them from drying out completely.
Thus, in this article, we will study how saliva can help us by being a natural, powerful defense against tooth decay. If you are in Hunt Valley, you can also consult an expert dentist in Hunt Valley, MD, who can help you learn more about the importance of saliva.
What is Saliva?
Saliva is 99% water, but it is very essential for our dental health. This water contains important minerals like calcium, phosphorus, and fluoride. This combination works amazingly to keep our teeth healthy and perform at their best.
It is created by the three pairs of salivary glands, which are located in the cheeks, under the tongue, and jawbone. Additionally, hundreds of minor glands help with saliva formation.
How Does Saliva Protect the Teeth?
The acids released from the food we eat damage our enamel, and at this moment, the saliva comes to our rescue. It washes the harmful acid and even repairs the enamel; this process is known as remineralization.
Saliva also helps in the digestion of food because when you eat food, the digestion process is started immediately, and at this point, the saliva that contains an enzyme called amylase breaks down the sugar into smaller pieces. It helps people swallow the food quickly and also avoid choking.
What Happens When There Is No Saliva?
If, for any reason, our body is not producing any saliva, then this situation is known as xerostomia or dry mouth. In this situation, there is more probability of gum disease and tooth decay. It can leave our mouth vulnerable to infections such as bacteria, yeast, and fungus. It also makes it harder for us to swallow or digest the food, and bad breath is also the result of a lack of saliva.
Thus, if you are having issues that are affecting your dental health, you must consult an expert doctor to find a solution to your problems. Experienced doctors can suggest solutions to protect your mouth from dryness and the formation of saliva for your dental health. So, consult one such doctor and get rid of toxic dental issues.
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