Role Observations
Taste Saliva participates actively in taste perception by dissolving alimentary substances.
Protection Against inflammation and infection through specific biomolecules; mechanical wear through lubricating the oral tissues
Oral clearance - removal of unwanted foreign substances
Prevents enamel erosion
Buffer system Saliva maintains a constant salivary pH
Digestion Involved in formation of alimentary bolus; relationships between salivary flow and composition and process of swallowing.
Protection against foreign microorganisms. Antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties
Table 1: Saliva roles in the oral environment