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Streptococcus salivarius is a species of spherical, gram-positive, facultative anaerobic lactic acid bacteria [1] that is both catalase and oxidase negative. S. salivarius colonizes (usually in chains) the oral cavity and upper respiratory tract of humans just a few hours after birth, making further exposure to the bacteria harmless in most circumstances.
Conditions that can cause saliva overproduction include: [4] Rabies; Pellagra (niacin or vitamin B 3 deficiency) [6]; Gastroesophageal reflux disease, in such cases specifically called a water brash (a loosely defined lay term), and is characterized by a sour fluid or almost tasteless saliva in the mouth [7]
Oral manifestations of systematic disease are signs and symptoms of disease occurring elsewhere in the body detected in the oral cavity and oral secretions. High blood sugar can be detected by sampling saliva. [1] Saliva sampling may be a non-invasive way to detect changes in the gut microbiome and changes in systemic disease.
Saliva also contains digestive enzymes (e.g. salivary amylase), has antimicrobial action, and acts as a buffer. [3] Salivary-gland dysfunction occurs when salivary rates are reduced; this can cause xerostomia (dry mouth). [4] Some disorders affecting the salivary glands are listed below.
It is primarily spread through saliva but can rarely be spread through semen or blood. [2] Spread may occur by objects such as drinking glasses or toothbrushes or through a cough or sneeze. [ 2 ] [ 8 ] Those who are infected can spread the disease weeks before symptoms develop. [ 2 ]
Saliva on a baby's lips. Saliva (commonly referred to as spit or drool) is an extracellular fluid produced and secreted by salivary glands in the mouth.In humans, saliva is around 99% water, plus electrolytes, mucus, white blood cells, epithelial cells (from which DNA can be extracted), enzymes (such as lipase and amylase), and antimicrobial agents (such as secretory IgA, and lysozymes).
The American Dental Association uses the term oral and maxillofacial pathology, and describes it as "the specialty of dentistry and pathology which deals with the nature, identification, and management of diseases affecting the oral and maxillofacial regions. It is a science that investigates the causes, processes and effects of these diseases ...
Dehydration, radiotherapy involving the salivary glands, chemotherapy and several diseases can cause reduced salivation (hyposalivation), or a change in saliva consistency and hence a complaint of xerostomia. Sometimes there is no identifiable cause, and there may sometimes be a psychogenic reason for the complaint. [1]