In this blog post from Steven T. Cutbirth DDS in Waco we examine saliva, and its role in your dental health.
Don’t be squeamish! Saliva is mostly water. No surprise there. A small portion of it, though, is made up of enzymes, antibacterial substances, mucus, and minerals. The ideal pH balance of the mouth is maintained by saliva, and pH balance is a critical factor for preventing cavities.
The minerals in saliva help to maintain the enamel surface of the teeth. Immunoproteins in saliva curb the overgrowth of microbes in the mouth, thereby protecting the gums from gingivitis.
Now that you know how important saliva is to dental health, you can probably see why inadequate salivary flow should concern you. For most people, everyday chewing is enough to stimulate salivary glands to release saliva. But a condition called dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, is an ailment that should be dealt with quickly before oral health problems occur.
At Steven T. Cutbirth DDS in Waco we want the best possible dental health for each of our patients. People from Woodway, Hewitt, and Robinson come to our practice for general and restorative dentistry. Schedule an appointment today!
Contact Steven T. Cutbirth DDS:
254-772-5420
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
1613 Lake Success Dr
Waco, Texas
76710
