Language
Country/Area
No result found
The health secrets hidden in saliva: How does it affect your oral and systemic health?
Have you ever thought that the seemingly ordinary saliva in our mouth actually hides many precious health secrets? Saliva is not only an integral part of our daily lives, it also plays a key role in physical health and oral hygiene. This article will explore the composition, functions, and impact of saliva on overall health and provide a deeper understanding of the significance of this daily fluid.
The composition of saliva
Human saliva is about 99% water, and the remainder contains electrolytes, mucus, white blood cells, various enzymes and antibacterial substances.
Enzymes in saliva play an important role in the digestive process, helping to break down starches and fats in food.
Function
The main function of saliva is not only to help digest and lubricate food, but also participate in maintaining oral hygiene. Its presence reduces the growth of bacteria and prevents oral problems from occurring.
Lack of normal salivary function significantly increases the risk of tooth decay and periodontal disease.
Digestion role
Alpha-amylase in saliva can start the digestion of fat and starch before food is swallowed, which shows that about 30% of starch digestion occurs in the oral cavity, while salivary lipase further assists in fat digestion. This process is especially important in infants because their pancreatic lipase is not yet fully mature.
Taste effects
Saliva also plays an important role in taste because it provides a medium through which chemicals in food can dissolve and come into contact with taste receptors.
People who are deficient in saliva often complain of dysgeusia, in which a lack of saliva affects the perception of taste.
Production and regulation of saliva
Saliva production is regulated by the autonomic nervous system, and the body automatically increases saliva production when we eat or feel thirsty.
Daily saliva excretion
The daily saliva production of healthy adults is estimated to be up to 1500 ml. However, during sleep, saliva production decreases significantly. This demonstrates the importance of normal saliva flow in maintaining oral health.
Applications of medical diagnosis
The composition of saliva can also non-invasively provide important diagnostic information about oral and systemic diseases, and saliva may become an important biomarker in the future.
Special uses of saliva
In addition to daily functions, the saliva of some animals also has special uses. For example, chaffinches use their sticky saliva to build nests, while the saliva of some butterflies can store silk proteins for making silk fabrics.
Hygiene and social behavior
In many cultures, spitting is considered impolite, while in some places it is common. Despite strict laws against spitting in public places, the behavior still leaves its mark on human society.
Conclusion
Saliva is an integral part of our health and, as stated in the article, plays a vital role in maintaining good oral and general health. Do you realize how important we should pay attention to these seemingly trivial but actually important health tips in our daily life?
