True or False: Bad Breath Can Ruin your Date

Saliva is the clear, watery liquid in our mouths which we don’t generally wish to think about. You may be surprised to know that saliva plays a rather important role in your dental health. Saliva is a soldier inside your mouth, waging battle against bad breath, dry mouth, and bacteria. Did you know that saliva is constantly battling against the germs which cause bad breath? Park Ridge dentists, Drs. Maria and Thanasi Loukas, challenge you to a quiz on the dental benefits of your salivary glands.

Questions

Q1. True or false – Most saliva production occurs while you sleep.

Q2. True or false – Saliva helps to prevent gum disease and tooth decay.

Q3. True or false – There are two major salivary glands on either side of your cheeks.

Q4. True or false – Dry mouth is a minor condition which is uncomfortable, but harmless.

Answers

A1. FALSE – The body makes up to 4 pints of saliva every day. Most of that is produced in the late afternoon. At night, salivary glands generally take a break.

A2. TRUE – Saliva doesn’t just help us swallow food. It works to rid the mouth of residual food particles that could mix with bacteria to create plaque. There are minerals and proteins in saliva that serve to protect your tooth enamel, as well as prevent gum disease and tooth decay.

A3. FALSE – There are six major salivary glands and hundreds of minor glands. They are located inside your cheeks, near the front teeth, and at the bottom of your mouth.

A4. FALSE – A moist mouth is a comfortable mouth, true, but dry mouth can actually cause inflammation and lead to cavities. Causes of dry mouth include smoking, side-effects of medication, general dehydration, and certain diseases (such as diabetes and Parkinson’s). Drinking plenty of water is one way to combat dry mouth, but if the problem persists, you should see your dentist.

Visit your Park Ridge Dentists

To learn more about dental crowns, or to schedule an appointment with one of our dentists, contact our Park Ridge, IL dentist office at 847.696.1919. Drs. Maria and Thanasi Loukas provide cosmetic, restorative, and preventive dental care to patients living in and around Chicago, Park Ridge, and the 60068 zip code.