Saliva will eventually become the diagnostic fluid of choice for dental as well as systemic diseases. The wealth of information about enzymes, proteins and immunoglobulins found in saliva is incredible and saliva sampling is easy to do and non-invasive.
Saliva contains the bacteria associated with periodontal disease and is already used to determine hormone levels and for drug testing. Diagnosis is now possible for oral cancer, breast cancer, hepatitis HIV and Sjogren’s syndrome.
These recent research findings are just the start. It won’t be long before dentists and their team will have greater involvement in the identification and monitoring of disease.
A new diagnostic test has become availble. With a simple saliva sample we can determine those with a high risk for decay. We can discuss this during your next appointment.