Saliva Learning Outcomes PDF

**[Saliva ]** **[Learning outcomes ]** **1. List both the organic and inorganic components of saliva and describe their function.** - **Answer:** - **Organic Components**: - **Proteins**: Mucins (lubrication), enzymes (amylase for starch breakdown, lysozyme for bac...

**[Saliva ]** **[Learning outcomes ]** **1. List both the organic and inorganic components of saliva and describe their function.** - **Answer:** - **Organic Components**: - **Proteins**: Mucins (lubrication), enzymes (amylase for starch breakdown, lysozyme for bacterial destruction), immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, IgM for antimicrobial action). - **Waste Products**: Urea (neutralizes acids), ammonia (raises pH), uric acid (waste product). - **Cells**: Desquamated epithelial cells, white blood cells (especially during inflammation), commensal bacteria​(Saliva). - **Inorganic Components**: - **Ions**: Calcium, phosphate (remineralization), bicarbonate (buffering), fluoride (enhances resistance to decay), sodium, potassium, chloride, magnesium​(Saliva). **2. Describe the functions of saliva.** - **Answer**: - **Protection**: Forms a salivary pellicle that protects enamel from acid attacks, lubricates oral tissues to prevent abrasion, aids speech​(Saliva). - **Buffering**: Bicarbonate and other ions maintain pH, preventing excessive acidity​(Saliva). - **Digestion**: Salivary amylase begins the breakdown of starch into maltose​(Saliva). - **Antimicrobial**: Immunoglobulins and enzymes like lysozyme and lactoperoxidase inhibit bacterial growth​(Saliva). - **Taste**: Saliva dissolves food particles, enabling taste perception​(Saliva). - **Tooth Integrity**: Ions such as calcium and phosphate aid in remineralization, strengthening enamel and reversing early stages of demineralization​(Saliva). **3. Describe the mechanism of salivation.** - **Answer**: - **Stimulus**: Salivation is triggered by sensory inputs such as sight, smell, and taste of food​(Saliva). - **Nervous Control**: - **Parasympathetic Stimulation**: Increases saliva production (e.g., when relaxed or eating), due to vasodilation​(Saliva). - **Sympathetic Stimulation**: Decreases salivation (e.g., in stressful situations), due to vasoconstriction​(Saliva). - **4. Outline the factors that can impact salivary flow.** - **Answer**: - **Increased Flow**: Stimulated by mastication, irritants, gingival conditions, hunger, and the sight or smell of food​(Saliva). - **Decreased Flow**: Caused by medications (e.g., antihistamines, antidepressants), diabetes, alcohol consumption, stress, radiotherapy, and surgery​(Saliva). - **Conditions**: - **Xerostomia** (Dry Mouth): Results from decreased salivary flow, leading to difficulty swallowing, increased caries, and oral infections​(Saliva). - **Hypersalivation**: Excessive saliva production caused by irritants, gingival conditions, or teething​(Saliva). Dry mouth --- a review of this common oral problem - DentalNursing  Myoepithelial Cell Function in Salivary Gland Physiology and Disease \| SpringerLink  JaypeeDigital \| eBook Reader