Normally, a healthy person’s saliva flow can fill three pints per day. Saliva output is something you probably don’t think about very often, unless you have dry mouth. Dry mouth, also called xerostomia, is the term for a condition whereby you do not produce enough saliva to moisten the mouth properly for the typical chores saliva does. It can be the cause of all sorts of oral health problems.
You know already that your saliva production is triggered by delicious smells and eating of food. One of its main functions is as a lubricating agent. Also something you should know is that enzymes in saliva aid in breaking down food for digestion. But there is so much more that your saliva does for you.
Have you ever felt stage fright and had your mouth dry up when speaking in public? Imagine if that happened all the time? Saliva is a major factor in helping you speak. Very important for dentists, saliva helps fight tooth decay by washing away food particles and acids away from the teeth and gums. So, dry mouth disease is also a factor in cavities and gum disease. Finally, dry mouth and lack of saliva are a cause of bad breath.
Now that you know how important your saliva is, you’ll never take it for granted again.
If you feel you may have dry mouth, come and see Drs. Forrest and Kevin Packard and our helpful team at Creekside Dental Ellensburg for an evaluation. Phone: 509-933-4800, or come by our office in Ellensburg, Washington.