In this blog post from Marcos Ortega DDS in San Diego 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 Marcos Ortega DDS in San Diego we want the best possible dental health for each of our patients. People from Hillcrest, Mission Hills, and Bankers Hill come to our office for general and restorative dentistry. Schedule an appointment today!
Contact Marcos Ortega DDS:
619-295-4545
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
306 Walnut Ave Ste 25
San Diego, California
92103