Clinical Significance of Saliva Flashcards
What happens when Saliva is absent?
Xerostomia
What are symptoms of xerostomia?
teeth/gum damagae, tonsillitis, mastication/swallowing problems
What causes Xerostomia?
1) Autoimmune disease e.g. Sjogrens syndrome
2) Medication
3) Cancer therapies e.g. radio/chemo therapy
What happens in Sjogrens syndrome?
parotid/sub maxillary gladn dysfunction so dry eyes
What happens in radiation therapy?
Serous acinar cells in Parotid are sensitive
What happens in Chemotherapy?
Change in salivary flow rate and composition
What are salivary stimulation treatments?
- Chewing sugar free gum
- Salivary sub. e.g oralube
- Water based gels
- Cholinergic agonists
What do cholinergic agonists do?
provide parasymp. stimulation to exocrine gland so serous secretions
What are Antimicrobial salivary defences?
- Lysozyme
- Immunoglobins
- Lactoferrin
How does saliva protect hard tissues?
- buffers
- Fluoride
- pellicle proteins
- Ca/Phosphate
How does saliva protect soft tissues?
Growth factors and lactoperoxidase
How does saliva maintain airways?
Antibacterials so no microorganisms
How does saliva maintain speech?
Lubrication so no dehydrations
How does saliva maintain swallowing/mastication?
Lubrication so no abrasion
How does saliva maintain control of bacteria?
Antibacterials/Lactoferrin/Lysozyme so no infections