A general dentist has a wealth of information on a variety of oral-health-related topics. It is the dentist's job to bestow this knowledge onto all patients, even for mouth functions that may be widely overlooked.
Saliva plays an important role in our mouths, and without it, our oral health would be a disaster. Education about saliva is important, and learning from an experienced general dentist is valuable for any dental patient wanting to better their oral health.
Saliva is a fluid substance formed in the mouths of animals and humans. Human saliva is composed of 99.5 percent water. The other half percent is a combination of electrolytes, mucus, white blood cells, enzymes and other antimicrobial agents naturally produced by the body. There are even small amounts of hydrogen peroxide, an antibacterial compound, found in saliva. The enzymes work with the water to fight bacteria and break down food.
Saliva serves many important purposes in the mouth. For one, the enzymes in the fluid start the process of digestion before the food has even left the mouth. Those enzymes start to break down food the second they enter the mouth, working especially well on starches and fats.
Saliva serves as a rinsing agent for the teeth and washes them effectively after every meal and snack. The fluid breaks down food particles that can get stuck in between teeth. By making these crumbs smaller, it helps to prevent the formation of cavities. Tooth decay takes hold when residue and particles are leftover on tooth surfaces from eating or drinking. If saliva was not there to save the day, our teeth would be much more susceptible to cavities.
Harmful bacteria in the mouth are counteracted when there is a good amount of healthy saliva to dilute the bacteria. Bacteria feed off of carbohydrates in the mouth and produce acid as waste during digestion. This acid eats away at the enamel, and that is what causes tooth decay. Saliva carries leftover food particles away from the teeth and into the digestive system.
Another helpful characteristic of this vital fluid, saliva acts as a lubricating liquid. It wets food and allows easier swallowing. It also serves as a protector of the mucosal surfaces of the oral cavity and prevents dehydration of this tissue.
Since saliva is mostly made of water, one sign of dehydration and other health issues is the presence of dry mouth or lack of sufficient saliva production. Saliva helps us digest and even taste food, and without it, the system comes to a grinding halt. Little to no saliva production affects more than just thirst.
Symptoms of dry mouth include cracked lips, sores at the corners of the mouth and a rough, dry tongue. Swallowing becomes more difficult, as does speaking. With decreased saliva, the mouth starts to go through some negative changes. Since the fluid is not able to flush the food particles and debris out of the mouth, it can cause bad breath. Feeling hoarse or a dry cough originating from a tickle in the throat could mean dry mouth.
At our general dentistry office, we strive to arm patients with knowledge. If you are experiencing any symptoms of dry mouth, it could mean other health issues are present. Make an appointment as soon as possible to get your mouth back to health.
Request an appointment here: https://drcaffeyearle.com or call Smiles By Design at (972) 528-5536 for an appointment in our Flower Mound office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
Your Flower Mound family dentist plays an important role in your oral health because they help you prevent cavities and gum disease while providing you with tips on how to improve your oral health. Even if you already practice good oral hygiene, these tips will help improve your oral health.Practicing good oral hygiene means you…
Restorative dentistry has a handful of ways to go about restoring a broken tooth. It typically comes down to how severely damaged the patient’s tooth is. Restorative dentistry focuses mainly on restoring the function of teeth that have been damaged. Doing so typically improves the way the tooth looks as well.Here are some of the…
Your first visit to a new dental office can be a time of great anxiety, especially since you do not know what to expect. The good news is that going to a new dentist is simple, and by understanding what the first visit will entail, you can make sure you are prepared. The dentist will…
Practicing preventive dentistry strategies can help you avoid serious dental problems. It can support your personal goals in keeping your gums and teeth healthy. Prevention is always better than going through treatments for serious dental problems. If you want to know how preventive dentistry can avoid the development of a serious oral problem, here are…
Learn some suggestions from your Flower Mound family dentist on how to improve your oral…
Restorative dentistry has a handful of ways to go about restoring a broken tooth.
Visiting a new dental office is a great way to take charge of your oral…
Caring for your oral health is important. Avoiding the occurrence of serious dental issues is…
While tooth extractions are usually considered safe, the dental professional needs to ensure no health…
Because Invisalign® is removable, wearers are encouraged to keep the actual piece in for 22…