I'm sure by now you've heard me talk about the importance of tooth remineralizer. But what you may not know is how important saliva is to this process. First, though, what exactly is saliva and what does it do?
The smell of your favorite food, accidentally biting your tongue and eating are some things that trigger saliva production. However, saliva is more than just that moist substance in our mouths. While it's mostly water, saliva is full of important minerals and proteins (or at least it should be)!
Doctors can use saliva tests to test candida levelsstress cortisol levels and other health markers. One of the most important functions of saliva is to keep the mouth healthy and the enamel strong.
How saliva benefits oral health
In short: Saliva is how teeth are remineralized!
On a practical level, when saliva washes over the teeth, they remineralize. Without the right levels of nutrients, saliva will not have the minerals your teeth need for optimal strength. We need enough food to have the necessary minerals in saliva to support remineralization.
The importance of adequate saliva to prevent tooth decay is well established. There are many theories about the origin of tooth decay:
- Decay occurs because of acids from bacteria in the mouth that digest sugars; OR
- Tooth decay occurs when there is an imbalance between the demineralization of the enamel surface and the remineralization produced by the return of mineral ions to the enamel (as explained by Rami Nagel in his book, Cures tooth decay)
Whichever theory is correct, saliva is important. Frequent saliva stimulation, especially after eating sugar, helps dilute and soften plaque acid. This brings additional mineral ions into the plaque fluid and promotes remineralization.
Saliva does much more than keep our mouths moist. It helps normalize pH levels, fights harmful bacteria with its antimicrobial properties and cleans the gums. Understanding and supporting the role of saliva can naturally lead to better oral health. Prioritizing things like hydration, stress managementand a healthy diet are all important for healthy saliva.
Saliva fights bad bacteria
Research shows a clear link between less saliva production as we age and an increased risk of gum disease. Saliva contains a host of vital substances for our immune system.
For example, lactoferrin is a compound found naturally in saliva. Lactoferrin is part of our innate immune system and one of our main lines of defense. This ingredient binds iron in the mouth, depriving gum-damaging bacteria of the iron they need to thrive.
Saliva is also a rich source of necessary enzymes. Of the salivary enzymes involved in maintaining oral ecology, one of the first to be recognized was lysozyme. The enzyme lysozyme appears to work by destabilizing the cell walls of bacteria, which causes tooth decay and gum disease.
Saliva restores the healthy pH of the mouth
The mouth has a complex ecology that must be kept in balance for optimal oral health. This includes the bacterial environment, having enough mineralsand maintaining proper pH. While the best way to have a healthy oral pH is to support the immune system with a nutrient-dense diet, adequate sleep, and reduced stress, saliva also plays a key role.
Factors that affect the amount of saliva we have
Saliva is key in the remineralization process, which can actually reverse early tooth decay. However, as with many natural processes, it is not immune to disruption. Factors such as allergies, mouth breathing, certain foods, and even stress can affect the amount of saliva we produce and its quality.
Certain medications and lifestyle factors can have a negative impact on how the salivary glands work.
Hormones are another piece of the puzzle. If the thyroid isn't working properly, it can lead to a more acidic mouth pH, increasing the risk of a cavity. On the other hand, when estrogen increases, cavities and gum problems can also increase. We have estrogen receptors in our mouth, gums and salivary glands. During menopause when estrogen levels decrease, women may experience dry mouth from decreased saliva production.
Stress is another factor that plays a role in reducing saliva flow. When we are stressed, blood flow to the digestive system and teeth and salivary glands decrease.
How to increase saliva production
The “Use it or Lose it” principle applies to saliva production. It is important to exercise our ability to produce saliva or face dry mouth and all the ailments that come with it.
While we naturally produce more saliva when we eat, saliva is busy helping to start digestion while we eat. So it can help increase saliva flow by other methods. Here is a way to do this called “swashing”. It may sound gross at first, but it really helps!
washing
Step 1: Collect any saliva in your mouth in a pool on your tongue. Now use your throat muscles to pull the saliva back and forth from the back of your tongue to behind your front teeth and back again several times. Thirty to fifty times is ideal. The more you practice, the more saliva your glands produce.
Step 2: Once you have a large pool of saliva on your tongue, brush it over your teeth and gums. Rinse with extra saliva for a minute or two, then swallow and let the saliva support better digestion in your stomach!
This is such a simple technique that even small children can do it. This video explains more.
Switch to a natural toothpaste
Using natural toothpaste can also help increase saliva production. I noticed more saliva with this one remineralizing toothpasteand also with OraWellness Brushing Blend. A good toothpaste helps provide the enamel with the minerals it needs and promotes a healthier mouth.
Oil pulling and herbal remedies
If you still can't bring yourself to swash, oil pulling is another great way to increase saliva. Swishing the oil in your mouth also reduces plaque and can help with your oral microbiome. I use coconut oil, but sesame oil is another traditional choice. Here it is how to pull oil
Another strange way to increase saliva is with herbal sialagogues. This is a fancy term that simply means to increase salivation. Herbs like spilanthes stimulate the salivary glands to release more fluid, which can be helpful for those with chronic dry mouth. Spilanthes tincture or tea helps increase saliva production and is generally considered safe. A word of warning though: start small as it can work LOT good!
Final thoughts on saliva
While saliva is not my favorite thing to think about, it certainly plays an important role in our mouths and overall health. Factors such as hormones and stress can reduce saliva, but with some focused effort, it is possible to encourage healthy saliva flow.
Have you used any of these methods before to get your saliva flowing? What has worked well for you? Leave a comment and let us know!
