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Our saliva controls the environment of the teeth and provides the body’s own natural protection against tooth decay. According to Dr. Mark Manhart DDS, nothing cleans your teeth better than your own saliva as it is low in salt and anti-microbial. Additionally, according to the Archives of Internal Medicine, saliva is an excellent "buffer" for the entire mouth, as our saliva is ‘supersaturated’ using the ions which make up the mineral content of the teeth (calcium, phosphate and hydroxyl ions) .
In a healthy person the loss of minerals is naturally balanced by saliva. As long as the plaque's pH is above 5.5 pH, the calcium and phosphate ions from saliva can repair the damaged mineral crystals from the enamel. However, when the pH level is below 5.5 (acidic), the saliva and plaque are unsaturated and demineralization occurs -- which basically means that teeth soften and even dissolve.
Stimulated saliva contains more calcium and bicarbonate and has a higher pH than unstimulated saliva. Therefore, chewing gums actually helps keep the teeth healthy. However, only if the gum is free of any sugars (in any form) or sweeteners (except maybe Stevia). Unfortunately, the vast majority of chewing gums available in the grocery stores contain harmful chemicals, including artificial sweeteners. However, natural alternatives are available at local health food stores.
Some dentists and scientists claim that 100% of all cavities can be prevented by simply rinsing out the acids after each meal and each sugary beverage. The good news is that the plaque pH rises when the acids are washed out and neutralized by saliva as the bicarbonate helps stop demineralization.
The saliva's calcium and phosphate content can then go one step further and help repair the damaged mineral crystals from the enamel. This is referred to as "remineralization".
An increased saliva flow actively reduces demineralization and improves the rate of remineralization.
Dry mouth plays a tremendous role in the development of cavities, fungal infections and tooth loss (details explained above).
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