Secret Behind the Saliva

Saliva is not just fluid in the mouth that are considered disgusting and dirty. There are many things that can be known from saliva. What are the secrets behind the saliva?

Some people might find sterile saliva or disinfectant, so believe that saliva will more quickly heal wounds. In fact, the mouth is a nest of germs and bacteria. There are more than 600 types of bacteria in the mouth and saliva that can cause infection.

As reported from MSN on Monday (6/14/2010), following the secret behind saliva:

What is in saliva?
Most of saliva is water, but also contains electrolytes, bacteria, viruses, fungi, secretions from the nose and lungs, cells from the lining of the mouth and about 500 proteins.

Of course, the contents of saliva also depend on what you put into the mouth, such as food debris. Components toothpaste also commonly found in saliva. The content of saliva everyone was different.

What can be known from saliva?

Of saliva, can be obtained from DNA samples. In fact, although saliva does not contain the DNA of cells, but cells from the lining of the mouth can be found in saliva samples.

Saliva is also another clue to reveal one's identity. Saliva may reveal what has been eaten and drugs that may be consumed, such as cocaine, marijuana and barbiturates. Scientists can also use saliva samples to show how much of certain drugs in the body.

The scientists also want to use saliva as a tool to detect the disease, because it is much easier, and in many cases more secure. HIV testing is one test which is used as a sample of saliva, although the blood test is still the standard way to test for HIV.

What are the functions of saliva?

Most people do not realize how important the function of saliva, namely:

1. Break down food in the mouth, so it can be felt by the tongue and is more easily digested by the stomach.
2. Clean food and dead cells from the lining of the mouth
3. Tying food into a ball so that it can be swallowed
4. Clean food and bacteria from tooth
5. Prevent dry mouth lining
6. Destroy or prevent the growth of certain fungi
7. Neutralize acids from foods and beverages
8. Help foster a damaged tooth enamel, due to calcium and phosphorus levels

How much amount of saliva?

Goodson estimates that the average person produces about half a liter of saliva a day. But of course this amount is also influenced by several factors, among others:

1. Genes
2. Time (saliva production slows down drastically at night)
3. Many of the water you drink
4. 're Chewing gum or sucking hard candy (both increase the production of saliva)
5. Smelling something interesting (also increase saliva production, which is why there is the term 'delicious')
6. More than 400 medications cause a decrease in saliva production
7. Age of production (saliva declines with age)
8. Has a condition or disease that affects the production of saliva, such as Sjorgen syndrome, or are undergoing radiation therapy

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