CBSE Class 10 Answered

Saliva is important to moisten and lubricate the food. This helps in creating a food bolus which can be swallowd easily. Saliva contains the enzyme amylase that breaks some starches down into maltose and dextrin. Thus, digestion of food occurs within the mouth, even before food reaches the stomach. Salivary glands also secrete salivary lipase also called lingual lipase, to start fat digestion.

All these important actions like digestion of starch, moistening and easy swallowing of food, would be affected if saliva is not secreted.