Saliva is not just a thing! (Saliva) - Let's find out exactly what it is.

None of us think much about "saliva" in our daily lives, do we? We think of it as just something that's in our mouths. But did you know that without this saliva, you wouldn't be able to eat, talk, or taste food? Saliva is actually an amazing fluid that plays a very important role in our body. Let's talk about it exactly, and simply, today.

What great benefits does saliva provide to our body?

Saliva is not just a little bit of water. It does a great service to our oral health as well as our overall health. Imagine how many problems we would face if we lost saliva.

Here are some of the main things that happen with saliva.

Where does this saliva come from?

Saliva is produced by salivary glands in and around our mouths. The saliva produced by these glands enters the mouth through small tubes (ducts). We have three main pairs of salivary glands.

• Parotid glands: These are the largest salivary glands. They are located in front of the ears, in the cheeks. They drain saliva into the mouth near the upper teeth.
• Sublingual glands: These are located under the tongue.
• Submandibular glands: These are located under the lower jaw. The saliva from these glands drains into the mouth under the tongue.

These three main glands produce 90% of our saliva. The remaining 10% is produced by hundreds of smaller salivary glands located throughout the mouth. On average, an adult produces 0.5 to 1.5 liters of saliva per day.

How is saliva production controlled?

Saliva production is controlled by our autonomic nervous system (ANS). We cannot control this consciously, it happens automatically. Two parts of this system affect saliva production.

1. Sympathetic nervous system

This is what prepares us for emergencies, fear, and stress. It's like the "fight-or-flight" response. When this system is activated, thick, sticky saliva is produced. That's why you feel dry in your mouth when you're scared, nervous, or have an exam .

2. Parasympathetic nervous system

This system does the opposite of the other systems. It's what keeps us calm and relaxed. It's called "rest-and-digest." When this system is activated, it produces liquid, watery saliva. This watery saliva is what helps us eat and swallow food.

Also, some everyday things can cause changes in saliva production:

• When you eat something sour: Imagine you're eating a piece of mango and a little lime. Your mouth starts to salivate, right? That's because sour foods are high in acid. The body produces more saliva to reduce that acid and protect your teeth.
• When thinking about food: Even thinking about delicious food makes my mouth water.
• Day and night: Saliva production is high during the day, but at night, when we sleep, saliva production decreases significantly. This is thought to be related to our body's daily cycle (Circadian rhythm).

What are the common questions about saliva?

Some medical conditions, medications, and treatments can change the amount and nature of saliva produced. There are two main problems: hyposalivation and hypersalivation. Of these, hyposalivation is the most common.

Hyposalivation and dry mouth

This is called `Hyposalivation`. The symptom that results from this is dry mouth `(Xerostomia).` When there is not enough saliva, various problems can occur.

What are the causes of dry mouth?

• Some medical conditions: dehydration (lack of water in the body), poorly controlled diabetes, high blood pressure, HIV, Sjögren's syndrome, autoimmune diseases such as lupus.
• Medications: Medications for depression and anxiety, allergy medications (antihistamines), some painkillers, some high blood pressure medications (beta-blockers), and cancer chemotherapy can cause dry mouth.
• Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy, especially for head and neck cancers, can damage the salivary glands and reduce saliva production.

Hypersalivation

This condition is called `Hypersalivation` or `Sialorrhea`. This is when the salivary glands produce more saliva than necessary. This can cause drooling. Young babies drool because they cannot control their mouth muscles properly.

Excessive salivation can cause painful, cracked sores at the corners of the mouth (Angular cheilitis). In severe cases, this excess saliva can enter the airways and cause conditions such as aspiration pneumonia.

What are the causes of increased salivation?

• Untreated cavities: Tooth decay causes bacteria to grow in the mouth. The body may produce more saliva in an attempt to flush out these bacteria.
• Gastritis (GERD): When stomach acid comes up into the throat, the body produces more saliva to protect the mouth from that acid.
• Nausea and vomiting: When you are about to vomit, your salivary glands produce more saliva to prevent stomach acid from damaging your mouth.
• Pregnancy: During pregnancy, hormonal changes and nausea can temporarily increase saliva production.
• Certain medications: Some medications used to treat mental illnesses (e.g., Clozapine) can cause increased saliva production as a side effect.

Should I see a doctor about something like this?

Yes, absolutely. If you have persistent dry mouth or salivation, don't ignore it. See your doctor right away. He or she can examine you and find out what's causing it. It could be a medication you're taking, or it could be a symptom of another medical condition. Once the cause is determined, your doctor can prescribe the right treatment.