Detecting diseases through saliva

    The idea is to develop a technique that could one day allow the early diagnosis of diseases through saliva.
    Saliva contains complex sets of molecules that can be used to create an impression of the person's general health, and by identifying biomarkers in the saliva scientists can develop tests that will produce accurate results.
    It is believed that in time the non-invasive saliva sampling method of diagnosing disease could be just as useful as blood tests. And since 20 percent more Americans visit their dentists more regularly than their doctors, the method could put dentists on the front lines of disease detection.