Salivary Diagnostics in Oral and Systemic Diseases - A Review

Abstract

Salivary diagnostics, an emerging field in medical research, leverages the analysis of saliva for non- invasive detection, monitoring, and management of various diseases. This abstract explores the potential of saliva as a diagnostic fluid, highlighting its advantages such as ease of collection, cost-effectiveness, and patient acceptability compared to traditional blood or tissue sampling. Key biomarkers identified in saliva include proteins, nucleic acids, and metabolites that reflect systemic health conditions, oral diseases, infectious agents, and even systemic diseases like cancer and diabetes. Advances in technology, such as biosensors and genomic analysis, enhance the sensitivity and specificity of salivary diagnostics, paving the way for personalized medicine and early intervention strategies. Challenges including standardization, variability in saliva composition, and regulatory approval are also discussed, underscoring the need for further research and clinical validation. Salivary diagnostics holds promise as a valuable tool in future healthcare, potentially transforming how diseases are diagnosed and managed globally.