Tasteless Without Saliva

Saliva acts as a solvent for the chemicals to activate our TASTE buds. Thus, we can’t taste food unless it is mixed with saliva. Even if a big clump of salt is placed on a dry tongue, the taste buds cannot sense the saltiness until saliva is added. Saliva also coats the food and initiates the digestive process, and acts as a lubricant that helps us speak properly. People who suffer from chronic case of dry mouth know exactly how important the role of saliva is.