Saliva

Saliva plays a vital protective role in maintaining oral health and supporting the balance between demineralization and remineralization. Due to its high-water content and continuous flow, saliva physically cleanses the oral cavity by washing away food particles and debris that could otherwise serve as substrates for acid-producing bacteria. Additionally, it helps dilute and remove organic acids from dental plaque, thereby reducing the cariogenic potential of the oral environment.

Saliva contains a complex mixture of electrolytes and organic molecules that help stabilize pH levels. Components such as sodium bicarbonate and phosphate function as buffering agents, neutralizing acids and minimizing pH drops after carbohydrate intake. Among the organic molecules, sialin, a salivary peptide, plays an important role in raising salivary pH, helping to restore neutral conditions conducive to remineralization.

Furthermore, saliva is naturally supersaturated with calcium and phosphate ions, which facilitates the redeposition of minerals into partially demineralized enamel, promoting enamel repair. This combination of mechanical cleansing, acid buffering, and ion delivery underscores saliva's essential role in protecting against dental caries and supporting enamel remineralization.