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Posted by on May 27, 2015 in TellMeWhy |

Where Does Saliva Come from?

Where Does Saliva Come from?

Saliva enters the mouth from three pairs of glands around and under the tongue. The glands that make it are called salivary glands. The salivary glands sit inside each cheek, at the bottom of your mouth, and near your front teeth by the jaw bone. There are six major salivary glands and hundreds of minor ones. Saliva moves through tubes called salivary ducts.

Normally, the body makes up to 2 to 4 pints of saliva a day. Usually, the body makes the most of it in the late afternoon. It makes the least amount at night. But everyone is different. What doctors consider to be a normal amount varies quite a bit. That makes diagnosing saliva problems a bit of a challenge.

Your salivary glands are constantly keeping your mouth moist. When you eat, a lot more of it flows into your mouth. This helps break down the food and begins the process of digestion. As you chew, the saliva moistens the food, so it can be easily swallowed.

It also enables you to taste the food by wetting it. You don’t have to put food in your mouth to start Saliva flowing. Just the smell of food when you are hungry is enough to make your mouth “water.”

It is an important part of a healthy body. It is mostly made of water. But saliva also contains important substances that your body needs to digest food and keep your teeth strong.

Content for this question contributed by Jennifer Hansen, resident of Pendleton, Umatilla County, Oregon, USA