A matter of oral health

Saliva plays a fundamental role in maintaining oral health. Besides keeping your mouth moist and clean by washing away any food debris left in your mouth, it also helps with the sense of taste, swallowing and speaking. Saliva is mainly produced and secreted by the three pairs of major salivary glands located just in front of the ears (parotid glands), under the tongue (sublingual glands) and below the jaw (submandibular glands). It helps to re-mineralise and toughen tooth enamel. Saliva also contains bicarbonate which contributes to the neutralisation of acidity in the oral cavity. When the salivary glands do not produce and secrete a sufficient volume of saliva, your oral health will be adversely affected. You may experience mouth dryness or ‘dry mouth’,…