The role of saliva in the digestion of food are,
- It moistens the food for easy swallowing.
- It contains a digestive enzyme called salivary amylase, which breaks down starch into sugar.
- Lubricates and moistens food, thus aiding in swallowing
- Aids in food particles to stick together for the formation of the bolus, so that they cab swallowed as a mass
- Cleans the mouth, tending to destroy germs to prevent tooth decay
- Brings about the conversion of starch into maltose through the enzyme ptyalin