Which statement describes resting saliva?

• A. It provides protection at rest
• B. It increases during meals
• C. It ceases at night
• D. It has no protective role

Answer: (A)

Resting saliva provides baseline protection for teeth and oral tissues even when not actively stimulated. It continuously bathes surfaces, helping to neutralize acids through buffering, supplying calcium and phosphate for remineralization, lubricating the mucosa to prevent friction injury, and limiting microbial growth by washing away sugars and debris. This ongoing, low-flow protection is why the statement describing protection at rest is the best choice. During meals, saliva flow increases in response to chewing and tasting—this is stimulated saliva, not resting saliva. At night, saliva production drops because gland activity slows, but it does not stop entirely, so some protection remains. The idea that resting saliva has no protective role is incorrect. Resting saliva provides essential baseline protection that supports caries prevention and mucosal health.