Saliva protects against dental caries by several means:
- Physical clearance: with a high flow rate of saliva, low viscosity results in a better cleaning affect on the teeth
- Buffering capacity: saliva buffers and helps neutralize acids that can cause cavities in teeth
- Post-eruptive enamel maturation allowing enamel to become more resistant to decay. This happens immediately after a tooth erupts during childhood
- Saliva helps repair early enamel lesions due to the content of calcium, phosphate, and fluoride in the saliva
- Saliva has antibacterial activity because it contains enzymes that attack bacteria and disrupt it
This is why you do not want a dry mouth. A moist mouth full of saliva is ideal to making a healthy mouth.
Conveniently located in Apopka, FL. Call today for an appointment (407) 889-9682.