Saliva

Question 1

What much saliva do we produce day and night

Answer 1

1-1.5 litres during day
10ml at night

Question 2

Composition of saliva

Answer 2

Water 99%
Organic and inorganic substance 1%

Question 3

Why is whole/mixed saliva found in oral cavity different to pure saliva produced in the glands

Answer 3

Gingival crevicular fluid secreted from inflamed gingival pockets is part of whole saliva when periodontal disease is present.
Along with food, epithelial cells and bacteria.

Question 4

What is the resting range pH of saliva

Answer 4

6.7-7.4

Question 5

What can vary the pH of saliva

Answer 5

Time of day
What has been eaten

Question 6

Those with a lower pH tend to…

Answer 6

Get more caries

Question 7

Those with a higher pH tend to…

Answer 7

Produce more calculus

Question 8

What are the main organic components found in saliva

Answer 8

• Proteins; mucin and enzymes
• Immunoglobulins
• Waste products
• Cells
• Food debris
• Hormones

Question 9

What properties do many proteins in the saliva possess?

Answer 9

Antibacterial

Question 10

Agglutination

Answer 10

Immunoglobulins aid in disposal of bacteria by clumping them together and making them unable to cling to oral cavity surfaces.
Works with serous saliva.

Question 11

What component gives saliva a sticky/viscous consistency?

Answer 11

Mucin

Question 12

2 types of mucin proteins

Answer 12

Muco-proteins
Glyco-proteins

Question 13

By products of cell metabolism found in saliva

Answer 13

Urea; can neutralise acid
Uric acid
Ammonia; raises pH

Question 14

What cell products are found in saliva

Answer 14

Worn out/dead epithelial cells
White blood cells (leukocytes in gingival crevicular fluid)
Commensal bacterial cells (do not harm human health)

Question 15

What hormones are present in saliva?

Answer 15

Oestrogen and progesterone

Question 16

Main inorganic components found in saliva

Answer 16

Ions (mineral salts)
Gas

Question 17

Main function of ions in saliva

Answer 17

Buffering effect to try maintain neutral pH levels

Question 18

What ion plays a major role in caries and calculus formation

Answer 18

Calcium phosphate

Question 19

Gas components found in saliva

Answer 19

Oxygen
Nitrogen
Carbon dioxide

Question 20

Main functions of saliva

Answer 20

Protection
Buffering
Digestion
Taste
Antimicrobial
Tooth integrity

Question 21

How does saliva protect

Answer 21

Glyco proteins lubricate soft tissues this helps to;
- protect from abrasion
- aid speech
- maintain healthy mucosa
- cleansing effect
- form salivary pellicle

Question 22

What proteins aids with the breakdown of food and forming bolus

Answer 22

Salivary amylase

Question 23

How does saliva impact taste

Answer 23

Taste sensation can only be detected when substances are in a solution

Question 24

What are patients with xerostomia at increased risk of?

Answer 24

Deposition of plaque
Caries
Periodontal disease

Question 25

How does saliva aid with tooth integrity

Answer 25

Ions in saliva act as a fluoride reservoir and aid in maturation of enamel in newly erupted teeth and repair from acid attacks.

Question 26

Main ways saliva protects against caries?

Answer 26

• first layer of salivary pellicle protects against acid
• inorganic ions buffering pH to help maintain neutral
• serous saliva and its cleansing effect

Question 27

Ionic see-saw

Answer 27

Although the saliva buffering system can reduce extent of pH fall, during prolonged sugar attacks in the mouth this can exhaust the buffering system to contain ion removal.

Question 28

What stimulates salivation

Answer 28

Sensory inputs;
Sight
Smell
Taste

Question 29

What nerves supply the saliva glands and control salivation

Answer 29

Sympathetic
Parasympathetic

Question 30

Role of sympathetic stimulation in salivation

Answer 30

Reduces saliva flow due to vasoconstriction.
(Stressful situations)

Question 31

Role of parasympathetic stimulation during salivation

Answer 31

Increases salivary flow due to vasodilation.
(Relaxed)

Question 32

Factors that may cause increase saliva flow

Answer 32

Mastication
Gingival conditions
Hunger
Smell/sight of food
Teething in babies

Question 33

Factors that may decrease saliva flow

Answer 33

Diabetes
Alcohol
Drugs
Fear
Radiotherapy
Surgery

Question 34

Medical conditions that can impact saliva flow

Answer 34

Parkinson’s
Diabetes
HIV/AIDS
Sjögren’s syndrome
Radiation/chemotherapy
Saliva gland disorders