How Important Saliva Is To The Body?
Monday, April 30th, 2007It’s something you probably consider gross or disgusting, not beneficial. You probably don’t even think about it much at all. But if it disappears, you’ll wish you had your saliva back. The milliliter of saliva normally in our mouth acts as a buffer, adjusting the pH level of the mouth as we consume acidic foods and drinks. It also prevents plaque from easily attaching to teeth. We know the oral cavity is one of the most important portals into the body. Of all the organs in the oral/dental complex, the salivary glands and the remarkable secretory product they produce forge the strongest link between oral and systemic health. Salivary function is extremely sensitive to the changes in a person’s general well-being. Saliva can be used to detect oral candidiasis. The salivary levels of pathogens can be used in risk assessments for periodontal diseases and dental caries. Elevated levels of some salivary proteins have also been associated with oral squamous cell carcinoma. The risk of oral cancer is higher in individuals who have high salivary levels of nitrate and nitrite. The type and quantity of oral microbes harbored in the oral cavity may contribute to high-risk levels for a number of systemic diseases.

