The Role of Saliva in the Early Detection of Oral Diseases

Abstract

Saliva has emerged as one of the most promising diagnostic biofluids for the early detection of oral diseases due to its non-invasive collection, rich biochemical composition, and close association with oral tissues. Advances in salivary diagnostics have demonstrated that saliva contains a diverse range of biomarkers, including proteins, enzymes, cytokines, nucleic acids, metabolites, microorganisms, and extracellular vesicles, which reflect both local and systemic pathological changes. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of salivary biomarkers in the early detection of common oral diseases, including dental caries, periodontal disease, oral potentially malignant disorders, and oral squamous cell carcinoma. A prospective observational study involving 150 participants was conducted, with saliva samples collected and analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), polymerase chain reaction (PCR), microbiological culture, and biochemical assays. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in inflammatory cytokines, bacterial counts, salivary pH, and oxidative stress markers among healthy individuals and patients with oral diseases. The findings demonstrated that saliva-based diagnostics achieved high sensitivity and specificity in detecting early pathological changes before the appearance of severe clinical symptoms. The study highlights the growing importance of salivary diagnostics as a reliable, economical, patient-friendly, and effective tool for early disease detection and personalized dental care.