Saliva and Your Oral Health

We all probably think of saliva as merely the watery liquid that keeps our mouth comfortable? But did you know saliva actually has an integral role in maintaining your oral health? Without saliva, we would not have strong, healthy teeth. We would not be able to eat without choking, nor would we be able to keep our breath fresh. But how exactly does saliva and its various functions keep the inside of our mouths so healthy? Here is some information about saliva and your oral health:

Does Saliva Affect Oral Health

Saliva plays a huge part in the upkeep of oral health as it helps with: 

• Building and maintaining the health of hard and soft tissues
• Cancelling out the acid attacking your teeth
• Breaking down food while you are chewing, enabling you to swallow more easily
• Fighting tooth decay, fighting the bacteria that forms dental plaque

When there is a reduction in the flow of saliva, this can lead to oral health problems such as: 

• Oral infections or tooth caries
• Trouble swallowing
• Tooth decay and/or gum disease
• An effect on the taste of food, making it more difficult to eat foods that are drier.
• An effect on your speech, increasing your likelihood of having bad breath.

The Function of Saliva in Oral Health 

Saliva plays two main roles in maintaining oral health, which is: 

1. Protecting the oral and peri-oral tissues
   1. Lubricating
   2. Diluting sugars after the intake of food or liquids
   3. Antimicrobial activity and cleaning, degrading the cell walls of bacteria and inhibiting their growth
   4. Buffering/neutralizing the production of acid and using bicarbonate to control plaque pH.
   5. Remineralizing enamel with phosphates and calcium.
   6. Repairing tissue
2. Facilitating speech and eating
   1. Clearing food residues and swallowing and enhancing chewing
   2. Digesting food, breaking down the enzymes
   3. Enhancing taste
   4. Enabling speech by lubricating the oral tissues

Additionally, saliva is used in diagnostic testing: 

• Viral, bacterial, and yeast counts, which indicate caries activity and altered responses, in addition to a number of diagnostic tests for both oral and systemic diseases.
• Hormonal balance, which identifies steroids and sex hormones

Xerostomia Gum

Are you concerned about having no saliva in the mouth? Studies show that 25% of the general population is affected by xerostomia. This condition impacts the flow of saliva, causing your mouth to feel dry. Salivary flow rate patterns show variation, both seasonal and daily. For example, flow rates are higher in the mid-afternoon rather than other times of day and during the winter rather than summer. Furthermore, the flow rate of saliva is lowest during sleep. Those with dry mouths may not have an extremely low flow rate, as those with low unstimulated flow rates don’t always complain that their mouths are dry. It is more important to determine whether there has been an adverse change in the flow rate of an individual.

A reduced flow of saliva results from hypofunction of the salivary glands. This could stem from infection, dehydration, anxiety, or the effects of drugs, and thus may be reversible. However, there are a number of permanent causes of xerostomia as well, including HIV or AIDS, congenital abnormalities, Sjogren’s syndrome, and head and irradiation. Most commonly, though, xerostomia results from the user of xenogenic drugs. Over 400 medicines consist partly of salivary gland hypofunction, such as antihistamines, some antihypertensives, tricyclic antidepressants, and drugs with sympathomimetic actions.

There used to be the widespread belief that a dry mouth and decline in salivary function were simply a natural consequence of aging. Though salivary gland dysfunction is more commonly seen in elderly individuals, studies show that it results not only from aging but also the fact that there is a higher percentage of chronic illnesses and drug use among older people.

Symptoms of Xerostomia

There are a number of symptoms of dry mouth that you should keep an eye out for, including:

• A dry mouth
• Thick and sticky saliva that makes it difficult to swallow or speak
• A burning or prickly sensation in the mouth
• Sensitivity to particular foods 
• A sore mouth
• Tooth decay or gum disease 
• A red and shiny mouth

If you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms, you may not necessarily have a dry mouth. Regardless, you should talk to your dentist or doctor about it to get some answers. If they determine that you do in fact have a dry mouth, you should make sure to visit your dentist on a regular basis (however often they recommend). This is particularly important because dry mouth increases the risk of tooth decay and gum disease, which can worsen more quickly than normal.

Are Women More Likely to Get Dry Mouth? 

Women going through menopause (also known as the “change of life”) may have a dry mouth. Furthermore, women who have already gone through menopause and are using hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may suffer from dry mouth as well. If you are taking medication and are experiencing any of the symptoms associated with dry mouth, have a conversation with your dentist.

How to Relieve the Symptoms of Xerostomia

Though there are unfortunately no proven ways to actually prevent dry mouth, there are a number of different ways to relieve the symptoms of the condition. This includes:

• Drinking water
• Eating sweets that are sugar-free, as dry mouth increases your likelihood of having tooth decay
• Chewing sugar-free gum, which encourages your mouth to create saliva.
• Using dental recommended products like gels, pastes, lozenges, and rinses (you can find these at a pharmacist)
• Using a fluoride toothpaste that contains 1350 to 1500ppm (parts per million) of fluoride or more. A ‘total care’ toothpaste may be the wisest option, as they have antibacterial agents and other ingredients that prevent plaque from building up.

Looking for a dentist in Brampton to help you keep up with your oral health? Search no further than Springdale Dental! We are committed to providing top-quality care in a relaxed and comfortable environment. Contact us at 905-458-1212 or visit our office at 630 Peter Robertson Blvd Brampton, Ontario, L6R 1T4 if you’re interested in our services.