Research suggests that a dry mouth (inadequate production of saliva) is correlated with an increase in both bad breath (halitosis) and dental problems, such as cavities. What are the possible reasons for this correlation?

Phlebotomy Essentials
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ISBN:9781451194524
Author:Ruth McCall, Cathee M. Tankersley MT(ASCP)
Publisher:Ruth McCall, Cathee M. Tankersley MT(ASCP)
Chapter1: Phlebotomy: Past And Present And The Healthcare Setting
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Research suggests that a dry mouth (inadequate production of saliva) is correlated with an increase in both bad breath (halitosis) and dental problems, such as cavities. What are the possible reasons for this correlation?

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The salivary glands are involved in the production of an extracellular fluid known as saliva. The majority of saliva is made up of water. It also contains mucus, proteins, salivary amylase, mineral salts, etc.

It helps in the chemical digestion of food as the salivary amylase acts on the starch and hydrolyses it into maltose. It also helps the taste buds to perceive the taste in the food. It also helps in maintaining the pH of the mouth.

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