Hi. I’m Dr. Wayne Harper. Welcome to my Ocala dental blog. Today we’ll be looking at the complexity and importance of your saliva. Though most people in the Marion County, Fort McCoy, or The Villages areas may think it’s gross, saliva is essential to dental health as well as digestion.
Saliva is mostly water, but a small portion of it is made up of enzymes, antibacterial substances, mucus, and minerals. The pH balance of the mouth is maintained by saliva, and pH balance is a key factor in the development of cavities and other forms of tooth decay.
The minerals in saliva help to maintain the enamel surface of the teeth. Immunoproteins in saliva inhibit the overgrowth of microbes in the mouth, thereby protecting the gums from gingivitis.
Now that Gainesville residents know how important saliva is to dental health, I’m sure you can see why ample salivary flow should concern you. For most of my Ocala patients, everyday chewing is enough to stimulate salivary glands to release saliva. However, dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, is an ailment that should be dealt with quickly before oral health complications occur.
If you are in the Marion County, Fort McCoy, or The Villages area and are looking for quality dental care, please contact my office today at 352-867-7181. We have been providing general and cosmetic dentistry in Ocala since 1985.
Our genuine staff would be happy to talk to you about cosmetic dentistry, adult orthodontics, sedation dentistry, general dentistry, and the other services we provide to our valued patients.
Dr. Wayne Harper
Dr. Wayne C. Harper
1800 SE 17th Street Suite 602
Ocala Florida
352-867-7181
https://www.ocalasmiles.com/meet-dr-harper/