Is having more or less Saliva important?

In two words, OH, YA!

Saliva is critical to the health of your teeth and gums. Without it, there would be serious ramifications.

Saliva is produced from 3 major glands in your mouth -- Parotid gland, Submandibular gland, and Sublingual gland.

And, it plays two major roles in the body:

1. Saliva helps to lubricate food before it goes down your throat so that harder foods will not damage your insides on the way to the stomach.
2. Saliva helps to wash harmful sugars and bacteria off of you teeth.

One of the most damaging things to your teeth is a dry mouth. Dry teeth will soon be dead teeth. A dry mouth can be caused by a number of things. The largest cause of dry mouth that I see is from medications. Specifically heart regulating and mood altering medications have the greatest effect but it can be any medication.

Dry mouth can also be brought on by age. Just as your eyes aren't as moist as they used to be, so to may your mouth begin to dry out over time.

If you feel like your mouth is drier than it used to be, please contact your dentist right away. There are things you can do to help.


Dr. Jim Ellis, DDS
1220 33rd Street Suite C
Ogden, UT 84403
(801) 783-3490

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SOURCE: http://www.bestogdendentist.com/2013/01/having-more-less-saliva-important/