The Value of Spit

Saliva, aka SPIT – is very important. Your may have even been complimented at your dental cleaning appointment by your dental hygienist on your saliva. It usually goes something like this:

via @howardfarren

You know the dialogue - it goes something like this:
Dental hygienist: “wow, you have a lot of saliva“ 
You, the patient (who is now wondering is that good or bad): “what does that mean?”

Saliva is very important :
- helps to wash food particles off the teeth and surfaces inside the oral cavity
- contains antibacterial components – comes in handy when babies are putting everything in their mouths
[Image] Dreamstime/Phil Date 

- contains minerals that can help repair tooth enamel that has started to break down
- helps to buffer acids and restore neutral pH when you’ve consumed foods that have created an acidic environment
- can be tested for presence of drugs in the body
-Japan’s Keio University and University of California, have been working on developing saliva testing technology that candetect pancreatic cancer, breast cancer and oral cancer
- dental hygienists can perform saliva testing in the clinic to determine if there is a high level of the strains of bacteria that play a role in the initiation of dental decay, gum disease and/or bad breath

Saliva can be an indicator of your infection risk. If necessary recommendations can be made to help change amounts, or types, of bacteria present and treat the infection. Yes, dental decay is caused by bacteria and is a bacterial infection. Dental decay is the most common chronic infection of early childhood. Gum disease and halitosis, bad breath, are also bacterial infections

Should an adult be concerned? Yes, especially since bacteria are transmissible. You give your bacteria to your children as infants, with an innocent kiss, or a temperature test of food. Both adults and children can suffer from oral infections caused by bacteria.

Prescribed medications and other health problems can decrease the amount of saliva produced, or dimish the neutralizing properties, putting you at higher risk. Talk with your hygienist and dentists for advise on how to stimulate more saliva (a good thing) and how to maintain a health balance.