On Thursday, September 25, we celebrated Dental Health Day at the KAMILLA Children’s and Adolescent Dental Center. For this occasion, we invited speech-language pathologists and orthodontic practices from the region to join us to discuss and share information about a “superpower” we all have in our mouths: saliva! Pediatric dentist Dr. Sandra Goedecke summarizes the key points and explains the important functions of our saliva and how it can actively contribute to our dental health.

Saliva is more than “just” a source of moisture in our mouths; it can have a positive effect on dental and oral health:

• Saliva removes bacteria and food particles from and between the teeth. In this way, it can help prevent plaque buildup.
• Saliva protects against tooth decay because it neutralizes acids in the mouth that can attack tooth enamel and lead to tooth decay.
• Saliva can repair early-stage tooth decay because the minerals it contains help regenerate tooth enamel.
• Saliva protects against bacteria because its antibacterial components can ward off germs.
• Saliva supports the body's defense mechanisms by keeping the oral mucosa moist.
• Saliva aids digestion because it contains important enzymes, such as amylase. These enzymes help break down the starch in food into smaller components, thereby aiding digestion.

People who wear braces have more saliva in their mouths. This is not a random side effect, but rather a positive reaction by the body to the brackets and wires.

The increased saliva production keeps the mouth sufficiently moist, protects the oral mucosa, and promotes healing in cases of mechanical irritation caused by the braces. You can think of it as a natural protective shield.

During pregnancy, saliva can provide valuable information that can benefit the health of the unborn baby. A special bacterial test using the mother’s saliva can determine whether she is carrying Group B Streptococcus (GBS) bacteria.

If the test is positive, there is an increased risk of transmitting the bacteria to the baby during childbirth. This can lead to serious infections in the newborn. To reduce the risk of Group B Streptococcus transmission, appropriate preventive measures can be taken during childbirth, such as administering an antibiotic.