Saliva and oral health

Doddawad, Dr Vidya
Dr.Vidya G Doddawad studied her BDS degree from Bapuji Dental College & Hospital, Davangere., RGUHS 1997-2002 and MDS in Yenepoya dental college , Mangalore under RGUHS 2003-2006 and has secured 10th rank in the M.D.S examination presently working in JSSDCH, Mysuru, Karnataka, India.

Saliva is a most valuable oral fluid. It serves as an easily collected, noninvasive source of information. It continues to demonstrate that it is more complex than generally perceived and has more diagnostic value than is generally appreciated. Many areas of research involving salivary components and functions are in progress for local and systemic disease diagnosis, treatment and prevention. Dentistry should support the development and promotion of saliva as a window into wellness and as a means for early disease detection and prevention. Whether saliva occurs in quantities like large or small, recognition should be given to the many contributions, it makes to the preservation and maintenance of oral and systemic health. Tissue engineering will significantly affect dental practice within the next 25 years and clinical dental practice in 2025 will certainly be different. So it is the value of saliva to humankind. It will expand during the coming years as more scholars, educators and health care providers come to appreciate its fascinating world.