Flashcard · Salivary Gland Disorders
What are the functions of saliva?
Answer
Clinical relevance. Understanding saliva's roles explains why reduced flow predisposes to infection, caries, and poor healing.
More Detail
Functions of saliva
Saliva has several protective, digestive, and homeostatic roles in the mouth.
The functions
- Protection: lubrication (glycoproteins) and a barrier against noxious stimuli, microbial toxins, and minor trauma.
- Digestion: helps form the food bolus; amylase begins starch breakdown.
- Buffering: phosphate and bicarbonate maintain pH, limiting acid damage from plaque bacteria.
- Antimicrobial: lysozyme hydrolyses bacterial cell walls; IgA agglutinates microorganisms.
- Tooth integrity: calcium and phosphate exchange with the tooth surface.
- Tissue repair: shortens bleeding time and speeds healing.
- Taste: solubilises food for taste receptors and has a trophic effect on them.
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