Functions of saliva

Question 1

Which salivary glands make the greatest contribution to whole mouth during:
resting (unstimulated) salivary secretion?
stimulated salivary secretion?

Answer 1

Unstimulated - sublingual + submandibular

Stimulated - parotid

Question 2

Which salivary glands contribute to whole mouth saliva?

Answer 2

Parotid, sublingual, submandibular and minor

Question 3

What does very low salivary rate do?

Answer 3

reduces clearance of sugar and bacteria
increases the risk of dental caries
reduces clearance of sucrose

Question 4

What happens to plaque pH with and without access to saliva?

Answer 4

With saliva pH levels drop and then rise back to normal again
Without saliva pH levels drop and remain low

Question 5

What is an acquired enamel pellicle? What does it prevent? and how is it formed?

Answer 5

prevents surface mineralization
layer around tooth
formed by calcium binding salivary proteins in saliva

Question 6

What does salivary bicarbonate buffers prevent?

Answer 6

prevents acid pH and demineralisation

Question 7

Saliva is supersaturated with ………. and ……….. which enables tooth…………

Answer 7

calcium, phosphate

remineralization

Question 8

What do salivary proteins form on enamel surfaces?

Answer 8

pellicle