Do You Know the Role Saliva Plays in Your Mouth?

Posted on 9/7/2020 by Barbara Ketchum

While its role is often unknown or overlooked, saliva is responsible for maintaining our overall oral health. This important liquid is secreted by our many salivary glands in our mouths, in varying quantities throughout the whole day, to ease the day-to-day activities that we take for granted.

How Saliva is Helping You Right Now

Saliva is constantly lubricating our oral tissues, which helps our tongue and lips move comfortably when speaking. It also triggers our taste receptors and dissolves certain flavors in our foods, such as sugar or salt, so we can better enjoy the taste of our favorite dishes. The chewing motions stimulate the increase of saliva flow while we eat, as well, so it can moisten and help to break down our food before swallowing. This helps establish a solid start for our digestion cycle to work. Although saliva is composed of 99% water, what remains is a combination of enzymes and electrolytes that keep our mouth clean and our teeth strong - and safe - from the development of cavities and decay.

The Risk of a Dry Mouth

Xerostomia, commonly referred to as a dry mouth, is a condition that exists when our saliva flow is below the standards. It is mainly activated due to use of certain medicines and dehydration, which causes our salivary glands to malfunction. The lack of saliva in your mouth can lead to an uncomfortable sensation, sore throat, and cracked lips. Not only that, however, but it also hinders our ability to taste and leaves our mouth unprotected from germs and the buildup of plaque. A mouth filled with germs can lead to bad breath, and it should be treated immediately in order to prevent further complications, including as gum disease (from the germs infecting your gumline) or cavities. To learn more about xerostomia and treatment options for it, please contact our office today.

Serving Salem Keizer Community since 1987

We provide dental services for the entire family from children to older adults. Our entire team of caring Doctors, hygienists and support staff pride ourselves on a high level of patient care.

Using the latest in modern dental technology our services range from sealants to complex implant surgery. Our goal is a comfortable experience for our patients with beautiful results.

Smile more :-) Call today

(971) 600-0211

Located in the heart of the beautiful Willamette Valley.

Convenient hours
Monday–Friday
7am–5pm
Clock icon for Oak Park Dental, Salem Dentist

Map Pin icon for Oak Park Dental, Salem Dentist

3380 Astoria Way NE
Salem, OR 97305-2054

Phone icon for Oak Park Dental, Salem Dentist

(971) 600-0211

Contact Us icon for Oak Park Dental, Salem Dentist

Read and Leave a review for Oak Park Dental - Dentist Salem on Google Places

Read and Leave a review for Oak Park Dental - Dentist Salem on Yelp

Read & write reviews

Check out Oak Park Dental - Dentist Salem on Twitter

Watch Oak Park Dental - Dentist Salem videos on Youtube

Check out Oak Park Dental - Dentist Salem on Facebook

Connect with us!

Dentist Salem OR • About Oak Park Dental
Providing modern dental technology and advanced oral health care to give you a comfortable and stress-free dental experience in Salem and Keizer, OR. Call today!
Oak Park Dental, 3380 Astoria Way NE, Salem, OR 97305 + (971) 600-0211 + salemsmiles.com + 11/25/2023 + Related Phrases: dentist Salem OR +