what is saliva and function
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Chemical digestion: breaks down starch by the function of “salivary amylase” Helps chewing and swallowing. Lubricating effect: moisturizes the inside of the mouth and creates smoother speech. Solvent effect: dissolves food and allows the tongue to taste food.
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Saliva has various functions.
- Cleaning effect of washing away food debris.
- Makes swallowing food easier.
- Antibacterial effect of fighting off bacteria entering the mouth.
- Lubricating effect that protects mucous membranes.
- pH buffering effect that prevents caries.
- Effect of promoting remineralization of teeth. Saliva has a pH normal range of 6.2-7.6 with 6.7 being the average pH. Resting pH of mouth does not fall below 6.3. In the oral cavity, the pH is maintained near neutrality (6.7-7.3) by saliva. The saliva contributes to maintenance of the pH by two mechanisms. The digestive functions of saliva include moistening food, and helping to create a food bolus, so it can be swallowed easily. Saliva contains the enzyme amylase that breaks some starches down into maltose and dextrin. Thus, digestion of food occurs within the mouth, even before food reaches the stomach.
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