Question

Why is saliva important?

Answer 1

Saliva contains special enzymes that help digest the starches in your food. An enzyme called amylase breaks down starches (complex carbohydrates) into sugars, which your body can more easily absorb. Saliva also contains an enzyme called lingual lipase, which breaks down fats.Saliva moistens the mouth for comfort, lubricates as you chew and swallow, and neutralizes harmful acids. It also kills germs and prevents bad breath, defends against tooth decay and gum disease, protects enamel, and speeds up wound healing. The production of saliva is promoted when we chew food thoroughly. Saliva has various functions including chemical digestion and cleaning the mouth.

Step-by-step explanation:

Saliva acts in relation to taste, mastication, bolus formation, enzymatic digestion, and swallowing. The protective functions of saliva including maintenance of dental and mucosal integrity indirectly influence the digestive process

Answer 2

Saliva is important because it has many enzymes that are involved in the first step of digestion when food enters to the mouth, and it helps to form the food bolus. Even though, the majority of it is water, and only 1% of enzymes and other organic and inorganic molecules.