Evaluation of Salivary Diagnostics: Applications, Benefits, Challenges, and Future Prospects in Dental and Systemic Disease Detection

• Published in: Curēus (Palo Alto, CA) Vol. 17; no. 1; p. e77520
• Main Authors: Albagieh, Hamad, Alshehri, Abdulrahman Z, Alduraywishi, Ahmed S, Aldaws, Albandari, AlBalawi, Salman S, Abu Shaqqaf, Hisham F, Almubayi, Reham A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Springer Nature B.V 01.01.2025; Cureus
• Subjects: Antibodies; Biofilms; Biomarkers; Clinical outcomes; Dental caries; Dentistry; Enzymes; Exocrine glands; Gum disease; Human subjects; Medical research; Oral cancer; Oral diseases; Oral Medicine; Pathology; Patients; Proteins; Quality of life; Side effects; cancer detection; saliva omics; dental diseases; biomarkers; non-invasive testing; salivary diagnostics; systemic diseases
• ISSN: 2168-8184; 2168-8184
• DOI: 10.7759/cureus.77520

Saliva is a multifaceted biological fluid that plays a pivotal role in oral health and overall well-being. It is primarily produced by major salivary glands, with additional contributions from minor glands. Saliva is essential for various physiological functions, including oral lubrication, digestion, and defense against pathogens. Its intricate composition comprises proteins, electrolytes, enzymes, hormones, and microbial DNA, enabling it to act as a dynamic indicator of both local and systemic health. A literature search was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar to identify relevant studies published up to June 2024. The included studies involved human participants and provided original data or comprehensive reviews on salivary biomarkers. The findings indicate that salivary diagnostics show promise in diagnosing and monitoring systemic conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, with salivary glucose levels correlating well with blood glucose levels. Biomarkers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) have been linked to cardiovascular risk, while saliva has been explored for cancer detection, including pancreatic and prostate cancers. Advances in techniques such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), saliva omics, and single-cell sequencing have furthered salivary diagnostics, providing insights into disease mechanisms. Additionally, quantitative mass spectrometry (qMS) and Raman spectroscopy (RS) contribute to non-invasive diagnostics for various conditions, including cancer. Collecting saliva samples from healthy individuals is crucial for early disease detection and evaluating treatment efficacy. This review underscores the growing importance of salivary tests in dental practice and their potential for diagnosing various health conditions. Further research is essential to address challenges related to variability and standardization. Dentists and healthcare professionals should consider incorporating salivary tests into clinical decision-making to enhance patient outcomes.