Saliva performs many functions that can be altered by medication or pathologic conditions. The World Workshop on Oral Medicine VI (WWOM VI) performed an updated, comprehensive assessment of saliva’s functions.
The Group on Medication-Induced Salivary Gland Dysfunction (MISGD) within the WWOM VI prepared a review based on data from the PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases and a hand search or referral of articles from the group members. The results were presented in a narrative review. The many functions of saliva were divided into five major categories: moistening and lubrication, taste and smell, digestion, protection of the oral mucosa and esophagus, and tooth protection.
With respect to moistening and lubrication, the salivary glands provide a continuous flow of saliva into the oral cavity that maintains a moist condition. This makes the mouth less susceptible to abrasion and removes microorganisms, desquamated epithelial cells, leukocytes, and food debris through swallowing. The continuous flow of saliva also protects the salivary glands from retrograde infection. Salivary flow occurs with a circadian rhythm, being highest in the late afternoon and lowest
Saliva protects teeth from abrasion, attrition, erosion, and dental caries. The acquired enamel pellicle (AEP) is a protein layer that covers all surfaces of the enamel and underlying dentin or cementum that has become exposed. It contains up to 130 different proteins and varies in thickness from 0.3 to 1.1 μm, depending its location in the mouth. The pellicle begins forming within seconds of a clean enamel surface being exposed to saliva, so surfaces etched before placement of composite resin
Saliva performs many functions that are necessary to protect structures and sustain proper functions throughout the gastrointestinal system. Clinical Significance Understanding the functions of saliva helps the dentist appreciate the needs of patients who lack sufficient salivary flow. Restoring function to the salivary glands has the potential to improve patients’ health-related quality of life.
Dawes C, Pedersen AML, Villa A, et al: The functions of human saliva: A review sponsored by the World Workshop on Oral Medicine VI. Arch Oral Biol 60:863-874, 2015
Reprints available from C Dawes, Dept of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, Univ of Manitoba, 780 Bannatyne Ave, Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3E 0W2; fax: +1 204 789 3913; e-mail: [email protected]
