Saliva can wash away food debris, soft plaque, and bacteria, maintaining a clean environment in the mouth. At the same time, saliva itself contains many antibodies that can inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria in the mouth. However, due to pathological or physiological reasons, xerostomia (dry mouth) may occur. If left untreated, it can lead to dental caries, gingivitis, periodontitis, and other conditions.
According to experts, xerostomia is a condition caused by a reduction in saliva secretion for various reasons. Patients with xerostomia experience a dry mouth. Severe cases may have an increased risk of dental caries and may need to drink water to aid in swallowing. For individuals with xerostomia, other methods are needed to stimulate saliva secretion to maintain oral health, and drinking more water is one such method.
The Mouth Has Self-Cleaning Abilities
Under normal circumstances, our mouth has self-cleaning abilities that can remove food debris and maintain a balanced oral environment, preventing oral diseases. This self-cleaning ability is mainly achieved through two methods: saliva secretion and tongue movement.
Through these two methods, the mouth can perform self-cleaning. In fact, during the day, while awake, the mouth continuously secretes saliva, constantly cleaning itself. Saliva helps prevent the formation of dental plaque and can effectively prevent dental caries, periodontal disease, and other oral diseases.
In addition to maintaining oral health through saliva secretion, tongue movement is also a manifestation of the mouth's self-cleaning ability. The main functions of the tongue include swallowing, speech, and chewing. In the process of performing these functions, the tongue gets exercise. The constant movement of the tongue can remove food debris from the mouth, keeping it clean.
Oral Diseases Affect Overall Health
Oral health is a part of overall health, and oral diseases have an impact on the entire body. Taking inflammation as an example, if a pregnant woman develops oral inflammation, the infection can lead to premature birth and even cause low birth weight in the infant. Many patients with periodontitis are prone to diabetes because the two conditions share common inflammatory factors. Furthermore, if diabetic patients also have periodontitis and their condition is not well-controlled, their blood sugar can be difficult to reduce. Periodontitis is also associated with cardiovascular diseases, so patients with periodontitis should also pay attention to preventing cardiovascular diseases. The human mouth contains about 700 different types of bacteria, totaling around 100 trillion. To maintain oral health, it is recommended to rinse the mouth after meals, brush with fluoride toothpaste in the morning and evening, and have regular check-ups. Many diseases have no symptoms in their early stages and are difficult for individuals to detect. Early detection is beneficial for controlling the condition. The public should also pay attention to a balanced diet to avoid adverse effects on the oral environment. Citizens should also visit the hospital for regular oral examinations, preferably every six months to a year, because many oral diseases can be detected early and treated promptly.
Chewing Promotes Saliva Secretion
Normal people can maintain oral health through saliva secretion, tongue movement, and other methods. Additionally, chewing can promote saliva secretion.
"Under normal conditions, a person secretes an average of 1.5-1.7 liters of saliva per day. Some oral cancer patients experience atrophy of the salivary glands after radiotherapy, and their saliva secretion will also decrease accordingly," said Dr. Zhang Ke, Dean of the Oral Research Institute. Chewing can better promote saliva secretion, enhance the flushing effect of saliva on teeth, and has a good regulatory effect for those with a dry mouth.