Why Saliva is So Important

I’m sure by now you’ve heard me talk about the importance of remineralizing teeth. But what you may not know is how important saliva is to this process. First though, what really is saliva and what does it do?

The smell of your favorite food, accidentally biting your tongue, and eating are a few things that trigger saliva production. Saliva is more than just that wet stuff in our mouths though. 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 levels, cortisol levels from stress, and other health markers. One of saliva’s most important functions is keeping the mouth healthy and enamel strong. 

How Saliva Benefits Oral Health

In short: Saliva is the way teeth remineralize!

On a practical level, when saliva washes over teeth they’re remineralized. Without proper nutrient levels, saliva won’t have the minerals teeth need for optimal strength. We need sufficient nutrition to have the necessary minerals in the saliva to support remineralization.

The importance of enough saliva to prevent tooth decay is well established. There are multiple theories about the origin of tooth decay:

1. Decay occurs due to acids from bacteria in the mouth digesting sugars; or
2. Tooth decay occurs when there’s an imbalance between the demineralization of the enamel surface and remineralization produced by the return of mineral ions into enamel (as explained by Rami Nagel in his book, Cure Tooth Decay)

Whichever theory is correct, saliva is important. The frequent stimulation of saliva, especially after eating sugar helps dilute and buffer plaque acid. This brings extra mineral ions into the plaque fluid and promotes remineralization.

Saliva does so much more than keep our mouths moist. It helps normalize pH levels, fight off harmful bacteria with its antimicrobial properties, and cleanse the gums. Understanding and supporting saliva’s role can naturally lead to better oral health. Prioritizing things like hydration, stress management, and 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 the increased risk of gum disease. Saliva contains a whole host of vital substances for our immune system.

For example, lactoferrin is one compound naturally found in saliva. Lactoferrin is part of our innate immune system and one of our key front lines of defense. This compound binds iron in the mouth depriving the gum-damaging bacteria of the iron they need to flourish.

Saliva is also a rich source of necessary enzymes. Of the salivary enzymes involved in maintaining the mouth’s ecology, one of the first to be recognized was lysozyme. The lysozyme enzyme seems to work by destabilizing bacteria’s cell walls, which causes tooth decay and gum disease.

Saliva Reestablishes Healthy Mouth pH 

The mouth has a complex ecology that must be kept in balance for optimal oral health. This includes the bacterial environment, having enough minerals, and maintaining proper pH. While the best way to have a healthy mouth pH is to support the immune system with a nutrient-dense diet, proper sleep, and reduced stress, saliva also plays a key role. 

Factors That Affect How Much Saliva We Have

Saliva is key in the remineralization process, which can actually reverse early tooth decay. Like with many natural processes though, it’s not immune to disruption. Factors like allergies, mouth breathing, certain foods, and even stress can affect how much saliva we make and its quality.  

Certain medications and lifestyle factors can have a negative impact on how well the salivary glands work. 

Hormones are another piece of the puzzle. If the thyroid isn’t functioning as it should this can lead to a more acidic mouth pH, increasing cavity risk. On the other side, when estrogen goes up, so can cavities and gum issues. We have estrogen receptors in our mouth, gums, and salivary glands. During menopause when estrogen levels dip, women can get dry mouth from decreased saliva production.

Stress is another factor that plays a role in reducing saliva flow. When we’re stressed blood flow to the digestive system and the teeth and salivary glands goes down. 

How to Increase Saliva Production

The principle “Use it or Lose it” applies to saliva production. It’s important to exercise our ability to produce saliva or deal with a dry mouth and all the ails that come with it.

While we naturally make more saliva when eating, saliva is busy helping jump-start digestion while we eat. So it can help to boost saliva flow with other methods. Here’s one way to do that called “swashing.” It may sound gross at first, but it really does help!

Swashing 

Step 1: Gather any saliva in your mouth into a pool on your tongue. Now use your throat muscles to draw the saliva back and forth from the back of the tongue to just behind the front teeth then back again several times. Thirty to fifty times is ideal. The more you practice the more saliva your glands make. 

Step 2: Once you have a large saliva pool on your tongue wash it over your teeth and gums We call swishing with saliva “swashing” because it’s like you’re swishing and washing at the same time. Swash with the increased saliva for a minute or two then swallow it down and let the saliva support better digestion in the stomach!

This is such a simple technique even young children can do it. This video explains more.

Switch to a Natural Toothpaste

Using natural toothpaste can also help boost saliva production. I’ve noticed more saliva with this remineralizing toothpaste, and also with the OraWellness Brushing Blend. A good toothpaste helps provide enamel with the minerals it needs and promotes a healthier mouth. 

Oil Pulling and Herbal Remedies

If you can’t quite bring yourself to “swash” yet, oil pulling is another great way to increase saliva. Swishing oil around in the mouth also reduces plaque and may help with the mouth microbiome. I use coconut oil, but sesame oil is another traditional choice. Here’s how to oil pull.

Another weird way to increase saliva is with herbal sialagogues. That’s a fancy term that simply means to increase saliva. Herbs like spilanthes trigger salivary glands to release more fluid, which can be helpful for those with chronic dry mouth. Spilanthes tincture or tea helps boost saliva production and is generally considered safe. A word of warning though: start small as it can work very well!

Final Thoughts on Saliva

While spit isn’t my favorite thing to think about it certainly plays an important role in our mouth and overall health. Factors like hormones and stress can reduce saliva, but with some focused effort, it’s possible to encourage healthy saliva flow.

Have you used any of these methods before to promote saliva flow? What’s worked well for you? Leave a comment and let us know!