Understanding The Benefits Of Your Spit

Saliva gets a bad rap. While spit might not seem like it's anything other than a nuisance or something that you don't really think about at all, saliva serves a valuable purpose to your mouth. Here's why saliva is more important than you think it is and some ideas about what you should do if you don't have enough of it.

Valuable Purpose

Saliva does have a lot of bacteria in it, as any part of your mouth does. Since you eat, drink, and talk with your mouth, it's natural for bad bacteria to grow. However, that's not all that's there. Good bacteria are also in your saliva. This good bacteria is responsible, in part, for keeping bad bacteria in check. When you have enough of it, saliva helps to keep gum disease and cavities at bay. Think of it is as like rinsing your teeth all the time with your own lubrication. But when you don't have enough of it, you may encounter problems.

Going Without

Unfortunately, dry mouth happens. Whether it's due to medication, drugs, or your genetics, many people struggle with dry mouth. If this happens to you, it opens up the door for a lot of problems with your oral health. People with dry mouth are more likely to experience dental problems than those who don't. Bacterial growth, fungal growth, and an increase in cavities or gum disease could potentially happen to you if you don't change the fact that your mouth doesn't produce enough saliva.

What to Do

If this sounds like you, you're not done for. There are several options that could benefit you and improve your oral health. First off, consider seeing a dentist more often. Seeing a dentist can help to keep the problems at bay, even if you do have dry mouth. In addition, your dentist can help you by prescribing medication that can help to increase salivation, which may be useful in maintaining higher saliva levels. Secondly, keep in mind that just because you don't have enough saliva doesn't mean that you have to be without moisture. Try to sip water through the day to maintain hydration, as dehydration can lead to a lack of saliva, as well as keeping bacteria at bay. The water will help to flush away debris and bacteria, improving your oral health.

Not having enough spit can be a serious problem for your mouth, but that's only if you don't take steps to make up for it. With regular dental care and prescriptions from a dentist, you can help to restore your mouth's natural balance with enough saliva to keep it healthy. Contact an office like Brookside Dental Associates for more information.

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