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102 > saliva > Flashcards

saliva Flashcards

1
Q

What are the two (umbrella) functions of saliva?

A

Protection, Digestion

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2
Q

What are the protective functions of saliva?

A
  • Lubrication
  • Hydration
  • Maintaining pH/buffering
  • Preventing demineralisation
  • Host defences
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3
Q

What are some host defences of saliva?

A
  • Immunological (slgA)
  • Clearance (saliva flow)
  • Antibacterial (lactoferrin, lysozyme, lactoperidoxidase)
  • Antiviral (slgA/mucins)
  • Antifungal (histatins)
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4
Q

What is slgA?

A

An antibody with four binding sites which aggregates microorganisms, inhibiting tissue adhesion

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5
Q

What is lactoferrin?

A

An iron binding protein which works by starving microbes of iron, causing them to die.

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6
Q

What is lysozyme?

A

An enzyme which weakens the cell wall, causing a cell to lyse or burst.

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7
Q

What is lactoperoxidase?

A

An enzyme which generates hypothiocyanite ions, meaning acid production in plaque decreases.

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8
Q

What are histatins

A

Histidine rich proteins which have antimicrobial functions by inhibiting respiration (candida albicans)

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9
Q

What is the function of calcium in saliva?

A

Calcium prevents demineralisation and drives remineralisation of teeth along with phosphate.

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10
Q

What is the importance of saliva’s lubricating properties?

A

Means that food can be swallowed without damaging tissues

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11
Q

What is the importance of saliva’s clearance properties?

A

Unwanted foreign objects or microbes can be cleared and thus disease/tissue damage can be prevented.

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12
Q

What is the significance of the acquired pellicle?

A

Protects teeth and allows microbes (plaque) to stick.

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13
Q

What is concentrated in the acquired pellicle?

A

Calcium

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14
Q

What are the digestive functions of saliva?

A
  • Enzymatic
  • Bolus formation
  • Taste
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15
Q

What enzyme in saliva breaks down starch?

A

Amylase

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16
Q

What enzyme in saliva breaks down lipids?

A

Lipase

17
Q

Why are citrus juices particularly nasty?

A

Citrate is a chelating agent which bonds to ca2+ ions, removing them from equilibrium and causing erosion due to additional low pH

18
Q

What is the critical pH for demineralisation

A

5.5

19
Q

What happens when oral pH drops below 5.5?

A

Calcium and phosphate ions are actively being leeched out of the tooth-> demineralisation.

20
Q

What is the resting pH of the mouth?

A

6.5-7

21
Q

How long does it take after a sugar intake for pH to reach min.?

A

10 minutes

22
Q

How long does it take for pH to recover to 5.5?

A

30-60 mins, remineralisation begins.

23
Q

What does bicarbonate do in saliva?

A

It is a weak base which buffers the equilibrium and forms a complex with H+ ions from carbs, which means the tooth is no longer affected by acid.

24
Q

What enzyme catalyses the bicarbonate reaction?

A

Carbonic anhydrase

25
Q

Where is carbonic anhydrase concentrated?

A

In the acquired pellicle.

26
Q

Why does xerostomia effect the rate of demineralisation?

A

This recovery process is much slower and thus the tooth is attacked for longer, more demineralisation can occur.

27
Q

What are some causes of xerostomia?

A

medical conditions, medication, radiation, eating disorders, diabetes.

28
Q

What is sjögren’s syndrome?

A

A chronic autoimmune disorder which results in hyposalivation among other things.

29
Q

What are some factors influencing caries suceptability?

A
  • Salivary buffering capacity
  • Salivary flow rate
  • Salivary content of mutans streptococci
30
Q

What is mutans streptococci?

A

The caries pathogen

31
Q

How much saliva is typically produced per day?

A

0.5-1 litre

32
Q

Where is saliva produced?

A

Special exocrine glands

33
Q

Is saliva hypotonic or hypertonic?

A

Hypotonic- it hydrates the oral tissues.

102 (19 decks)

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