The Secret in Your Mouth

In just a few years, if your dentist asks you to spit, it may be the first step in saving your life. Saliva is a miraculous fluid that helps protect your oral tissues and your body.


Right now scientists are developing saliva tests that can help diagnose systemic diseases before any other sign is visible. The list includes breast, oral, and ovarian cancers; type 2 diabetes; Alzheimer's disease; and rheumatoid arthritis.


A saliva test is non-invasive and safe. It just takes a quick swab of the inside of your cheek. And it's a lot more comfortable than a blood test.


Today, saliva testing is available that can help us better treat periodontal disease. This is the condition that, if left untreated, can lead to tooth loss. In fact, perio disease is the number one cause of tooth loss in people over 35. It has also been connected to heart disease, stroke, pancreatic cancer, premature births and a host of other serious conditions.

Usually, all periodontal disease is treated in the same way. But with the advent of DNA testing through saliva, we can now see which bacteria are causing your disease and develop a treatment program specifically for your needs. For example, some perio bacteria can be treated with antibiotics while other kinds won't respond to antibiotics at all.

Your dentist and hygienist have been trying to tell you for years that if you take care of your teeth and gums, your whole body will be much healthier. Thanks to saliva testing, it won't be long before dentists will be able to help diagnose whole body diseases in their earliest of stages. And that's nothing to spit at.

Houston dentist
Minh Nguyen, D.D.S.