Saliva is a clear, somewhat viscous, alkaline liquid composed of water, mucus, mineral salts, and digestive enzymes, and secreted by the salivary glands.
Saliva is secreted 24 hours a day by the salivary glands. The major salivary glands comprise three pairs: the parotid glands, located on both sides of the face, below and in front of the ear; the submandibular, which are on both sides of the floor of the mouth, and the sublingual, located under the tongue.
The salivary glands minors are made up of a multitude of small glands widely distributed throughout the oral cavity.
Saliva fulfills a wide variety of functions. It has a certain protective effect against oral infections, since it contains a slightly antiseptic called lysozyme, works by stabilizing the pH of the mouthdue to its high concentration of carbonates and phosphates.
It also keeps the oral cavity moist, forming a kind of protective film inside that defends it against aggression, and facilitates cleaning and dragging of food remains.
It also plays a very important role in eating as it moistens the tongue to facilitate taste, helps to swallow food and initiates digestion due to substances it contains, called enzymes, which break down starch. Saliva secretion is regulated by centers located in the brain (salivary nuclei), which act on it through the two branches of the autonomic vegetative nervous system.
The amount of saliva normally secreted by a person ranges from one liter to one and a half liters per day, but a multitude of factors are involved in said production, such as the impressions transmitted by the sense organs, or the psychic stimuli that act on the body. nervous system.
Decreases the secretion of saliva states of dehydrationnervousness, certain medicines that act on the nervous system (antidepressants, antispasmodics) and certain diseases of the salivary glands.
On the contrary, pleasant smells and flavors, the sight of appetizing food, the contact of certain objects with the tongue (candy, chewing gum), oral irritations due to infections or bad teeth, the ingestion of certain medicines that contain mercury or iodides, and even physiological situations such as pregnancy.
Excessive salivation during the first months of pregnancy is called sialorrhea, a condition that causes great discomfort to the expectant mother. Although it is important to clarify that it does not happen to all pregnant women.
It appears in the first trimester, together with unwanted nausea. It is usually associated with some difficulty swallowing and, in some cases, the production of saliva is in large quantities. Curiously, even the most severe cases disappear during sleep, that is, it only manifests itself when the woman is awake and alert.
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folk remedies
Remedy for sialorrhea or hypersalivation in pregnancy #1: Pour 1 tablespoon of chamomile into a cup of boiling water. Cover and let cool. Strain and drink when you feel excessive salivation.
Remedy for sialorrhea or hypersalivation in pregnancy #2: Boil a cup of water for 5 minutes and then pour in 1 tablespoon of mint. Make several swishes throughout the day.
Remedy for sialorrhea or hypersalivation in pregnancy #3: perform various mouthwashes of salt water due to the astringent properties of this solution.
Remedy for sialorrhea or hypersalivation in pregnancy #4: Rinse the mouth with ice water or keep a piece of ice in the mouth.
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recommendations
Eating dry food such as toast, cookies, and some fruits, such as walnuts and almonds, will help the problem to disperse for a while. Due to their consistency, they will absorb all the liquid in the mouth and generate relief almost immediately.
Avoid citrus since it encourages the generation of saliva.
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