Information AboutSaliva |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT SALIVA | |
| body fluids | |
| digestive system | |
|
Saliva, often informally known as '''''spit''''', is the moist, clear, and usually somewhat frothy substance produced in the mouths of some Animal s, including Human s. To spit or the action of ''' Spitting ''' is to expel saliva or other substances from the mouth. A verb for this action is '''expectoration'''. CONTENTS OF SALIVA In Animal s, saliva is produced in and secreted from the Salivary Gland s. It is a Fluid containing:
Healthy people produce about 1.5 L of saliva per day. FUNCTIONS The functions of saliva include moistening food so it can be swallowed easily. Also, saliva contains the Enzyme Amylase , also called Ptyalin , that breaks some Starch es down into Maltose and Dextrin . (From Encyclopædia Britannica School Edition) Saliva also protects teeth from decay by plaque. After eating food or drinking, plaque bacteria ferment with the sugars and starches that were in previously eaten foods to produce acid. After 5 to 10 minutes of creating the acid, the teeth environment can reach a point called demineralization, which is when the pH level is low enough (below pH 5.5)to start decaying teeth. Saliva is used to neutralize these acids therefore helping to prevent demineralization. Remineralization is when saliva helps repair the damaged crystals of the tooth enamel. BELIEFS A common belief is that saliva contained in the mouth has natural Disinfectant s, which leads people to believe it is beneficial to "lick their wounds". Researchers at the University Of Florida at Gainesville have discovered a Protein called Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) in the saliva of Mice . Wounds doused with NGF healed twice as fast as untreated and unlicked wounds; therefore, saliva does have some curative powers in some species. NGF has not been found in human saliva; however, researchers find human saliva contains such Antibacterial agents as secretory IgA , Lactoferrin , and Lactoperoxidase . It has not been shown that licking your wounds actually Disinfect s them. SEE ALSO |
|
|