"Saliva" - a Diagnostic Tool

Is saliva important? Secretion is a reflex response controlled by both parasympathetic and sympathetic secretomotor nerves. It is "specimen of choice" & offers a cost-effective approach for the screening of large populations. Barriers to salivary diagnostics includes 1) Associated with research, 2) With product development, 3) With third party acceptance and associated legal issues. Whole saliva can be collected in a non-invasive manner by individuals with modest training, including patients. It is useful in the monitoring of therapeutic drug levels and the detection of illicit drug use. Salivary diagnosis provides an attractive alternative to more invasive, time-consuming, complicated and expensive diagnostic approaches. With the continued advancement in technology and biomedical science, the day is not far when saliva would become the "mirror" and monitor of body's health.