(509)-525-9474
342 Catherine Street, Walla Walla, WA 99362 
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Posted on 7/25/2018 by Michael Mettler |
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| Have you ever taken a moment to think about how amazing your saliva is? Probably not. We’d love to enlighten you! Saliva has an all-important role in your oral and digestive health. Our bodies make two to four pints of saliva a day. That means that over a lifetime, a person will create enough saliva to fill two swimming pools! So, why is saliva important? Well, there’s more than one answer to that. Besides allowing us to give wet willies or make spit wads when we were kids, our saliva has many critical functions. First, saliva aids in digestion. It begins the process of breaking down food and helps us chew, taste and swallow. In fact, without our spit, we wouldn’t be able to taste at all! Additionally, saliva is essential to maintaining our oral health. Our spit contains antimicrobial agents that protect teeth and defend against bacteria. It also contains minerals such as calcium and phosphate that remineralize our teeth, strengthening the enamel. Your saliva plays an especially important role after eating and drinking. It washes away the extra food and debris left in your mouth that contributes to decay. It also helps neutralize the acids created by bacteria that break down enamel and cause cavities. Thank you, saliva! Unfortunately some people do not create enough saliva, which leads to a condition called dry mouth. Certain illnesses and medications can cause dry mouth, and those who have it are more prone to tooth decay and gum disease as a result. For those with and without dry mouth, here are some tips to increase saliva production and protect your teeth: - Chew sugar-free gum, especially after meals - Suck on sugarless candy - Drink plenty of water Saliva may just be the unsung hero of our oral health. It is constantly strengthening and defending our teeth against bacteria, decay, and dental disease. At the end of the day, all we can say is that our bodies are amazing and our spit is awesome! If you've found yourself with dry mouth regularly, be sure to ask one of our team members at Stone Creek Dental Care about it during your next visit to our office in Walla Walla. |
 office@alderfamilydental.com (509) 525-4723 342 Catherine Street Walla Walla, WA 99362-3057 (509)-525-9474 Hours Mon Tues Weds Thur Fri 7am to 5pm 7am to 5pm 7am to 5pm 7am to 5pm 8am to 3pm |
