What makes spit

This function of saliva is brought about by its main component, water. More complex foods such as starch or protein, require further help from our saliva, before we can identify them as tasty. The portfolio of receptors on our taste buds can only bind small molecules and ions, but not large chains of molecules polymers. This is why a starch molecule - although consisting of millions of single sugars monosaccharides - does not taste sweet.

To reveal the true nature of the food, our saliva contains digestive enzymes. Amylase, for example, helps the water molecules in our saliva to split the chemical bonds between the monosaccharides in starch. The hard matter of our teeth - enamel and dentine - consists of a very hard crystal called hydroxyapatite. Hydroxyapatite is made from calcium, phosphate and hydroxyl ions. Additionally, it contains organic molecules, mainly collagen, and in the case of dentine also cellular projections from odontoblasts cells that produce dentine.

Because of its specific properties water can dissolve out ions from salt crystals. Table salt for example quickly disintegrates in water into its constituent sodium and chloride ions. Although in hydroxyapatite the ions are bound very tightly, in water the crystal would steadily lose ions from the surface and shrink. To reverse this process, our saliva is saturated with calcium and phosphate ions. These occupy the spaces freed up in the crystal lattice and thus prevent continuous corrosion of the enamel surface.

If our saliva was constantly diluted with water, the concentration of calcium phosphate would be insufficient and the tooth enamel would start to erode.

This happens for example in the so-called nursing bottle syndrome seen in infants. Due to prolonged sucking on the baby bottle, even if only filled with water, the teeth become porous and typical caries on the upper front teeth develops.

Hydroxyapatite only forms when enough hydroxyl OH - and phosphate PO 4 3- ions are present. Under acidic conditions the OH - ions turn to water and the phosphate ions to mono-, di-, and trihydrogen phosphates. These do not fit into the crystal lattice and are washed away.

If the pH is too alkaline over a prolonged period, the hydroxyapatite grows too quickly, leading to scale dental calculus. We have seen that the surface of the hydroxyapatite crystal that forms the enamel is sensitive to changes in the composition of saliva and undergoes constant reconstruction. However, our teeth are supposed to stay healthy and functional for many decades.

Therefore, a stable environment on the enamel surface would be desirable. Here, too, saliva has a role: components of it, first and foremost the mucins, firmly settle on the crystal surface and create a protective layer.

The many moist and warm surfaces in our mouth serve as an ideal habitat biotope for microorganisms, mainly bacteria, but also yeasts e.

Candida and protozoa e. Entamoeba gingivalis. Bacteria only stand a chance to survive in our mouth if they manage to hold on and not get swallowed. A few bacterial species, especially streptococci, can bind directly to the pellicle. Search Search. Experts Health News Releases. Danielle Harris 2 min read November 15, When your mouth is running low on saliva, it can be a sign of xerostomia or dry mouth, which is a precursor to tooth decay and cavities.

This condition usually occurs as a result of medications and diseases, such as anemia and hypertension. There are over-the-counter treatments that can help, so check with your dentist or primary care physician for recommendations. What if I have too much saliva? If you feel like you are overproducing spit, be sure to tell your doctor.

Additional recommendations for people experiencing thick saliva due to radiation or chemo include:. People who are experiencing thick saliva should consult their general practitioner to begin the process of pinpointing the root cause. If you have thick saliva and know your underlying condition, it will be important to know what symptoms are red flags. Symptoms of dehydration include:. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect.

Medically reviewed by Elaine K. Luo, M. Causes Treatments See a doctor What is thick saliva? What causes thick saliva? What role does it play in our bodies? At Smile On Dental Studio, we want our patients to understand just how exactly their bodies wash away bacteria from their mouths and why saliva is so essential for your oral health. Learn more about saliva with these interesting facts! The different compounds found in saliva help you break down food in your mouth, swallow it, and clean your teeth afterward.

There are all kinds of items on the black market, but who would have thought that saliva was one of them? In South Africa, there is an illegal market for saliva infected with tuberculosis. The demand for saliva is to help healthy people pass off as suffering from tuberculosis in order to receive temporary disability equivalent to R1, per month from the government.

People selling their saliva often make up to R per sample. For context, South Africa has some of the highest TB rates in the entire world with 78, deaths per year.