At Premier Dental Esthetics – Peter S. Young, DDS in Arcadia, we get a lot of oral health questions. Today, let’s discuss the significance of your saliva. Though most people may think it’s gross, saliva is important for dental health as well as digestion.
Saliva is mostly water, but a small portion of it is made up of enzymes, antibacterial substances, mucus, and minerals. The optimal pH balance of the mouth is maintained by saliva, and pH balance is an essential factor for preventing cavities.
The minerals in saliva help to maintain the enamel surface of the teeth. Immunoproteins in saliva inhibit the overgrowth of microbes in the mouth, thereby protecting the gums from gingivitis.
Now that you know how essential saliva is to dental health, I’m sure you can see why adequate salivary flow should concern you. For most individuals, everyday chewing is enough to stimulate salivary glands to release saliva. However, if you have dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, you will need to deal with this quickly before it affects your health.
The team at Premier Dental Esthetics in Arcadia would love to talk to you about teeth whitening, veneers, and other smile makeover possibilities. We offer general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, family dentistry, orthodontics and a long list of other procedures. Call us today for an appointment.
