The importance of saliva

Saliva is an important part of a healthy body. Saliva is a clear liquid produced by the salivary glands in the mouth. The parotid, submandibular, and sublingual salivary glands contribute to 90% of total saliva secretions, while minor salivary glands contribute to the remaining 10%.

Saliva is mostly made of water. But saliva also contains important substances that the body needs to digest food and keep the teeth strong.

Saliva is important because it:
*Keeps mouth moist and comfortable
*Moistens food and aids in compacting food into a bolus
*Dissolves food chemicals so they can be tasted
*Fights germs in mouth and prevents bad breath
*Helps keep dentures securely in place
*Has proteins and minerals that protect tooth enamel and prevent tooth decay and gum disease

On average, a healthy person produces between 0.75 and 1.5 liters of saliva each day. Saliva production peaks when a person is eating and is at its lowest during sleep. A dry mouth can occur when the salivary glands in mouth don't produce enough saliva. This is often the result of dehydration, which means the body doesn’t have enough fluid to produce the saliva you need.
The importance of saliva