A lot of people think that spit is gross. And it is–to a point. However, saliva is very valuable to your oral health. We know, spit and saliva are the same thing, but the saliva in your mouth is important. In fact, the saliva in your mouth is very important –not just to your oral health, but also to your overall health. Want to know how saliva helps you stay healthy?
Keep reading to find out the importance of saliva to your overall health.
Saliva
The saliva in your mouth helps to soften it and break it down, which makes it easier to swallow. Saliva also makes it easier for your system to absorb the minerals it needs to keep your body moving. However, most important for your oral health is the function of the saliva in keeping bacteria down by helping to rinse away particles of food. It is when food particles settle on your teeth that bacteria can grow. When bacteria grow, the acids present with the bacteria eat at the enamel of your teeth, and over time, wears your teeth enamel down into holes. Those holes are what are called cavities.
When There Isn’t Enough Saliva
When you don’t make enough saliva, your oral health suffers. Dry mouth means that it is difficult for your mouth to produce saliva. Without enough saliva, plaque forms. Plaque can cause cavities. Dry mouth can cause anything from bad breath to cavities. And cavities can lead to infections in your mouth. Research has shown that mouth infections may cause heart disease, increase your risk for stroke and complicate pre-existing conditions, such as diabetes.
If you are worried that you suffer from dry mouth, why not have a conversation with us? We would love to talk to you about ways that you can keep your saliva flowing to help your mouth be at its best.