Secrets Behind Water Saliva

Saliva or saliva is not just fluid in the mouth that are considered disgusting and dirty. There are many things that can be known from the 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 hotbed of germs and bacteria. There are over 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 depends on what you put into the mouth, such as food debris. Components toothpaste also commonly found in saliva. The content of saliva every person is 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 the identity of a person's menungkapkan. 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 be able to use saliva as a tool to detect the disease, because it is much easier, and in many cases more secure. The HIV test 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?

Some people do not realize how important functions of saliva, namely:

Break down food in the mouth, so it can be perceived by the tongue and is more easily digested by the stomach.
Clean food and dead cells from the lining of the mouth
Binds food into a ball so that it can be swallowed
Clean food and bacteria from the teeth
Prevent dry mouth lining
Destroying or preventing the growth of certain fungi
Neutralize acids from foods and beverages
Help regenerate the 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 number is also influenced by several factors, among others:

Genes
Time (saliva production slows down drastically at night)
Much water you drink
Was chewing gum or sucking hard candy (both increase the production of saliva)
Smelling something interesting (also increase saliva production, which is why there is the term 'delicious')
More than 400 medications cause a decrease in saliva production
Age production (saliva decreases with age)
Has a condition or disease that affects the production of saliva, such as Sjogren's syndrome, or are undergoing radiation therapy.