Saliva or spit has many important functions. It moisturizes our mouth and our food to make chewing and swallowing easier. It also helps to protect our teeth and gums by rinsing sugar, bacteria and other harmful substances out of our mouth.
Saliva is produced in the salivary glands and is composed of 99% water but contains important minerals, enzymes and antibodies. These antibodies help prevent infections of the mouth and throat. A typical person’s salivary glands produce roughly one and a half liters (50 ounces!) of saliva a day.
It is very common for people with diabetes to suffer from …