Have you ever thought deeply about the saliva in your mouth? Probably not, right? But did you know, this saliva is an amazing liquid that plays a very important role in our body. When we talk, when we eat, when we enjoy, all of this is inseparable from what is called saliva. So, today we will talk about this saliva, that is `(Saliva)`, in a little more detail .

What is saliva? Simply put...

Saliva is a watery liquid secreted by the salivary glands (also called salivary glands) in your mouth. We often refer to it as "saliva" or "chalk." Although it is mostly water, it also contains many other important substances for our bodies, such as proteins and enzymes.

Doctors sometimes test your saliva to find out about your health. For example, they can check your cortisol levels, check for certain drugs (drug tests), and even check for viruses like HIV and other infections. Isn't that amazing?

What are the benefits of saliva for our body?

Saliva is not just a liquid. It helps a lot not only with our oral health, but also with our overall health. Check out these benefits.

Helps keep the mouth and throat moist and comfortable

Saliva helps keep the delicate membranes (mucosae) inside your mouth moist and free from sticking together. It also forms a protective layer inside your mouth, protecting it from harmful substances like bacteria , toxins, and injury.

Makes eating and swallowing easier

Think about how difficult it would be to swallow the food you eat if it was dry. Saliva moistens the food, forming it into a small ball (`(bolus)`), and makes it easier to pass down the throat, that is, along the esophagus (`(esophagus)`) and into the stomach (`(stomach)`). Without saliva, swallowing food would be a very difficult task.

The digestion process begins.

Did you know that digestion starts in the mouth? There is a special enzyme called amylase in saliva. This is what starts the digestion of starchy foods (e.g. rice, bread) that we eat. This helps the stomach.

Protects against infections

Saliva contains another important enzyme called lysozyme . This destroys many types of bacteria and stops the unwanted spread of germs inside the mouth. In other words, it acts as a natural protector for our mouth.

Protects teeth

Saliva also does a great service to our teeth. Calcium hydroxyapatite in salivaThis compound prevents the loss of calcium from the teeth (`(demineralization)`). Saliva also helps to wash away food particles left after eating. Also, saliva helps to reduce the damage to the teeth from the acidic foods we eat. All of this reduces the risk of cavities (`(cavities)`) and gum disease (`(gum disease)`).

Keeps the pH of the mouth balanced

Saliva helps maintain the pH (a measure of acidity/alkalinity) inside our mouths between 6.0 and 7.5. When we eat different types of food, the pH values ​​of those foods vary. Saliva helps to bring the pH of the mouth back to the correct level after the food is swallowed.

Helps heal mouth sores

If you get a cut on the inside of your cheek or a small wound in your mouth, saliva can help it heal faster. This is because some of the proteins and growth factors in saliva help regenerate tissue and speed up wound healing .

Helps to taste food

To taste dry foods properly, they need to be moist. Only then can the taste buds on our tongues be able to detect the taste. This moisture is provided by saliva.

Isn't it amazing how much saliva can do for our bodies? It may seem like a small thing, but look at how much it does!

How is this saliva formed? Where does it come from?

Saliva is produced, as we mentioned earlier, by the salivary glands in your mouth. These glands make saliva and release it into your mouth through small channels (ducts).

We have three pairs of major salivary glands:

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

These three major glands produce 90% of our total saliva. The remaining 10% comes from hundreds of other minor salivary glands inside the mouth. On average, an adult produces between 0.5 and 1.5 liters of saliva (that's between 2 and 6 cups) per day.

How is saliva production controlled?

Saliva production is mainly controlled by our Autonomic Nervous System (ANS).This is the system that controls the involuntary functions of our body (such as breathing and heartbeat) that we don't think about. This system works both when we are asleep and when we are awake.

Two parts of the autonomic nervous system affect saliva production:

• Sympathetic nervous system : This system is activated in times of emergency, especially when we feel stressed or afraid. We call it the "fight-or-flight" response. When this system is stimulated, it produces thick, sticky saliva. Remember when you feel your mouth dry when you're scared or anxious? This is why.
• Parasympathetic nervous system: This does the opposite of the previous system. It is responsible for the body's "rest-and-digest" processes. When this system is stimulated, it produces more watery, watery saliva. This type of saliva is what makes it easier to eat and swallow food.

In general, stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system has the greatest and longest-lasting effect on saliva production.

Do other things affect saliva production?

Yes, some everyday things and foods also affect the amount of saliva produced.

• When you eat sour foods , your salivary glands produce more saliva. This is because sour foods are more acidic. So, the extra saliva dilutes the acid, reducing the damage it can do to your teeth and digestive system.
• When you think about food, especially your favorite food, your mouth starts to salivate, right? That's also related to this.
• The salivary glands are most active during the day. At night, salivation decreases significantly. Researchers believe this is a process related to our body's natural daily rhythm (`(circadian rhythm)`).

What does saliva contain?

Saliva is 99% water, with the remaining 1% being proteins, electrolytes , and other substances.

Researchers have identified more than 1,000 types of proteins in saliva. However, only about 10% of them are present in the majority. These proteins are large, complex molecules that perform many functions inside cells. Here are some of the main types of proteins found in saliva:

• Amylase: This is the enzyme we talked about earlier that helps digest carbohydrates. It is produced mainly by the pancreas and salivary glands.
• Proline-rich peptides (PRPs): These are a large family of salivary proteins produced by the parotid and submandibular glands. They make up about 70% of the total proteins in saliva. For example, acidic PRPs form a protective film (pellicle) on the surface of teeth.
• Host-defense peptides: These are part of our body's immune system. They are important for fighting infections and inflammation.
• Mucins: These large proteins keep things inside the mouth, such as the tongue and gums, slippery (lubricating). They act as a physical barrier to protect against harmful bacteria, fungi, and viruses.
• Secretory IgA: This is an antibody. It binds to and controls harmful germs (pathogens) and harmless germs (commensal microbes) in the mouth. It is an important part of our defense system.

In addition to this, saliva also contains other organic components:

• Glucose (sugar)
• Urea (a waste)
• Cortisol (the "stress hormone")
• Sex hormones (e.g. estrogen, testosterone)
• Substances specific to your blood type.

What are the common health problems associated with saliva?

Some medical conditions and medical treatments (e.g., certain medications, radiation therapy) can affect the amount and quality of your saliva.

The two main salivary problems are hyposalivation and hypersalivation. Of these, hyposalivation is the most common. Both of these conditions can be temporary or chronic.

Decreased salivation (hyposalivation)

This means that your salivary glands are not producing enough saliva. This is also called xerostomia , which means dry mouth .

What happens when saliva decreases?

When saliva production decreases, various problems can occur:

• Bad breath (halitosis)
• Mouth and throat discomfort
• Oral health problems: cavities, tooth decay, other oral diseases
• Discomfort for those who wear dentures
• Difficulty speaking and swallowing

What are the causes of decreased saliva?

Dehydration is a major cause. In addition:

• Some autoimmune conditions: For example, Sjögren's syndrome, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis.
• Viral infections: `(HIV)`, hepatitis C `(hepatitis C)`.
• Diabetes Mellitus: This causes blood sugar levels to continue to rise, leading to dehydration.
• Alzheimer's disease.
• High blood pressure (hypertension).

Additionally, dry mouth can be a side effect of more than 500 medications . Some of the most common medications that cause dry mouth include:

• Antianxiety medications and antidepressants.
• Anticholinergics: These are given for a number of conditions, including urinary incontinence, overactive bladder, and COPD.
• Antihistamines, decongestants, and some painkillers.
• Some high blood pressure medications, such as beta-blockers.
• Chemotherapy drugs for cancer.
• Medications for Parkinson's disease.

Radiation therapy for head and neck cancers is also a major cause of decreased saliva.

Increased salivation (hypersalivation)

This is also called sialorrhea . This is when the salivary glands produce too much saliva. This can cause drooling. However, excessive salivation is not the only cause of drooling. This can also happen if certain muscles in the mouth or throat are weak. This is also the reason why babies drool.

What happens when there is too much saliva?

If drooling is severe or prolonged, it can cause health problems. For example, it can cause a skin condition called angular cheilitis, which causes painful, cracked sores at the corners of the mouth. In some extreme cases, excessive saliva can enter the airways (aspiration), causing suffocation or aspiration pneumonia .

What are the causes of increased salivation?

Some medications, especially antipsychotic medications, can cause excessive salivation as a side effect. An example is the drug Clozapine.

In addition, these conditions can also cause increased salivation:

• Untreated cavities: Cavities can cause bacteria to grow in the mouth, which can stimulate the salivary glands to produce more saliva in an attempt to clean the mouth.
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): This is when stomach acid flows back up into the esophagus. The salivary glands then produce more saliva to prevent the acid from flowing back up into the mouth.
• Nausea: When you feel like vomiting, your salivary glands produce more saliva to try to prevent the stomach acid that comes with the vomit from damaging the inside of your mouth.
• Pregnancy: During pregnancy, saliva production may temporarily increase. The salivary glands are more stimulated during this time. Also, nausea during pregnancy can cause saliva production to increase.

When should you see a doctor for a saliva problem?

If you have dry mouth or excessive salivation, and it persists, be sure to see a doctor. He or she can examine you, run further tests if necessary, and determine the underlying cause. They can then recommend appropriate treatment.

Why does my saliva feel thick?

Saliva becomes thick and sticky, usually when its water content decreases. Sometimes, this "thick" and "sticky" feeling can also be felt when saliva is mixed with mucus.

There can be several reasons for this. Things like dehydration, smoking, and chronic allergies. The main thing to do to reduce the thickness of your saliva is to drink plenty of water. However, if you have persistent thick saliva, it's a good idea to talk to a doctor. There may be another underlying cause.

Finally, things to remember

Saliva is something we don't usually think about much, unless we have too much or too little of it. However, it is a very busy fluid that is essential to our health. If you have any concerns or questions about your saliva or oral health, don't be shy or afraid to talk to your doctor. He or she can help you.

A healthy mouth is a good start to a healthy body! So don't forget the value of saliva.

` Saliva, salivary glands, oral health, dry mouth, increased salivation, digestion