How exactly does it work as a biomarker?
Biomarkers are defined as cellular, biochemical, and molecular characteristics by which normal and/or abnormal processes can be recognised and/or monitored. On a daily basis, the salivary glands (major and minor) secretes ~1.5 litres of saliva into the oral cavity, carrying with it health/disease information biomarker information. The sources of these biomarkers can be from disease sites or the salivary glands themselves can produce disease informative surrogate biomarkers. The salivary gland system can be perceived as a local anatomical organ that is poised to monitor local and systemic diseases. The real blessing is that they secrete a biofluid, saliva, that can be obtained non-invasively, non-painfully, non-embarrassingly without needles and cringing. What salivary diagnostic toolboxes are at hand or currently in development? How may one be able to incorporate it into one’s clinical practice? Are they Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved? Current salivary diagnostic toolboxes
