Horses do not have salivary glands, but they do produce saliva, a fluid that is constantly present in the mouth. The amount of saliva produced can vary, but humans typically excrete one to two liters of fluid daily into the mouth. Saliva moistens the mouth to help with speech and break down food to be tasted and swallowed more easily.
How Much Saliva Do Humans Produce Daily?
Humans produce one to two liters of saliva daily. Saliva is secreted into the mouth by three major pairs of salivary glands and many smaller glands scattered throughout the cheeks, lips, tongue, and palate.
What is Saliva Composed Of?
Saliva is a thick, colorless, opalescent fluid composed of water, mucus, proteins, mineral salts, and amylase. As saliva circulates in the mouth, it gathers food debris, bacterial cells, and white blood cells.
What are the Functions of Saliva?
Saliva has numerous functions. It lubricates and moistens the mouth to aid speech and transform food into a liquid or semisolid mass for tasting and swallowing. Saliva also helps regulate the body’s water balance; dehydration reduces saliva production, causing a dry mouth and stimulating thirst. Additionally, saliva helps prevent tooth decay and infection by eliminating food debris, dead cells, bacteria, and white blood cells. It also contains amylase, a digestive enzyme that breaks down carbohydrates into simpler compounds.
What Happens if Saliva is Absent?
While saliva is not essential for life, its absence can lead to several inconveniences, including dryness of the oral mucous membrane, poor oral hygiene due to bacterial overgrowth, a diminished sense of taste, and difficulties with speech.
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