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Your Dentist Needs to Talk to You About Your Saliva

Your Dentist Needs to Talk to You About Your Saliva

We often overlook saliva. It’s not glamorous, and it’s definitely not something you hear people talking about at parties. But at By The Lake Dental, your favourite dental office in Ajax and Scarborough, our dentists and dental team want to talk to you about your saliva.


Saliva is more than just “spit.” It’s one of the most underappreciated fluids in the human body, and it plays a central role in keeping your mouth and teeth healthy. Want to know why we’re such big fans? Let’s take a closer look.

 

Saliva Kickstarts Digestion and Helps You Taste Food

Ever wonder how your mouth starts preparing for food before you even swallow? That’s saliva at work. It moistens your food, breaks it down with enzymes, and helps you form a soft mass (called a bolus) so it’s easier to swallow. Saliva even contains digestive enzymes like amylase, which begin breaking down carbohydrates right in your mouth.


And here’s a fun fact: you can’t taste properly without saliva. That’s because food particles need to dissolve in liquid before your taste buds can detect their flavour. Without saliva, your mouth is basically a dry stage with no script.

 

It Shields Your Teeth from Cavities and Acid Erosion

You know how brushing, flossing and regular hygiene visits at By The Lake Dental are crucial for dental health, right? Well, saliva is your mouth’s 24/7 support team. It helps neutralize acids produced by bacteria, especially after meals or snacks. It also washes away food debris and sugars, reducing the risk of plaque buildup and cavities.


Saliva even contains minerals like calcium and phosphate, which help repair early enamel damage. It’s like having your own personal tooth repair kit working overtime, especially useful between meals or when you're sleeping.

 

It Protects and Repairs Soft Tissues

If you’ve ever accidentally bitten your cheek or burned your tongue with pizza (we’ve all been there), you may have noticed how quickly those areas heal. That’s thanks to saliva. It keeps the tissues of your mouth moist and protected, reducing friction and helping small wounds heal faster. Saliva contains proteins and growth factors that support tissue repair and regeneration.


It’s also essential for comfort. A dry mouth can lead to sore spots, cracked lips, and difficulty speaking and swallowing. That’s why maintaining healthy saliva production is key for your daily well-being.

 

Saliva Fights Bacteria and Helps Prevent Infection

Saliva is loaded with antimicrobial agents that defend against the bad guys. We’re talking about lysozyme, lactoferrin, histatins, and secretory IgA (proteins and enzymes that help kill or inhibit harmful bacteria, viruses, and fungi).


Your mouth is home to hundreds of bacterial species. Saliva helps maintain balance by controlling harmful microbes, keeping your oral environment stable. It’s also your first line of defense against gum disease and oral infections.

 

It’s a Natural Buffer That Keeps Your Mouth’s pH Balanced

Your mouth’s pH matters more than you think. When your pH is too acidic, often after eating sugary or starchy foods, your enamel becomes vulnerable to erosion. Saliva helps neutralize those acids and restore a healthy balance.


The average pH of saliva ranges between 6.2 and 7.6, but if your saliva is consistently outside that range, it could signal trouble. Saliva not only buffers acids but also delivers the minerals needed to remineralize tooth surfaces.

 

It Can Reveal Clues About Your Overall Health

Believe it or not, saliva is a diagnostic superstar. Researchers are now using saliva to detect diseases like diabetes, HIV, certain cancers, and even Alzheimer’s. Changes in your saliva’s composition (its thickness, pH, flow rate, or protein content) can provide early warning signs for medical conditions.


That’s why at By The Lake Dental, we always say that overall health starts in the mouth. When something seems off with your saliva, it could be pointing to something bigger.


Saliva Can Malfunction… And That’s a Problem

When your saliva production is too low, it’s called xerostomia, or dry mouth. This can be caused by medications, aging, stress, dehydration, or medical conditions like Sjögren’s syndrome. Dry mouth increases your risk for cavities, gum disease, and oral infections.


On the flip side, too much saliva, or saliva that feels thick and sticky, can also indicate issues like sinus infections, acid reflux, or even neurological conditions.


If you notice changes in how your mouth feels, or if you’re constantly reaching for water, it might be time to visit our dental clinic. We’ll help identify the cause and get your saliva flowing again.


Book Your Appointment Today

Saliva may not be glamorous, but it’s one of the most vital components of oral health. It digests, defends, heals, and protects. At By The Lake Dental, your favourite dental office in Ajax and Scarborough, our dentists and dental team go above and beyond taking care of your oral health and supporting your overall health.


So next time you visit, don’t be surprised if we talk about saliva. It might just be the most important thing you didn’t know you needed.


From comprehensive exams, hygiene visits, and dental treatments, By The Lake Dental is your full-service one-stop-shop dental office. Book your appointment today and let our dentists support your oral health… and your spit!


Why Choose By The Lake Dental:

✅ +10 years caring for our community’s oral health needs

✅ A Platinum+ Invisalign dental office

✅ Direct billing to benefit provider

✅ Cutting-edge technology

✅ Full service family care

✅ Concierge experience


𝗪𝗲'𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗣𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦


Call us today: Ajax 905-428-2111, Highland Creek 416-284-8282.



By The Lake Dental is your one-stop, full-service family dental office! From hygiene visits to dental treatments, we’ve got you covered!

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