What Is Salivary Testing?
Salivary testing analyzes the contents of your saliva, including bacteria, enzymes, pH, and inflammatory markers, to give insight into:
- Oral bacteria levels (especially those linked to gum disease and cavities)
- Risk of periodontal (gum) disease
- Presence of high-risk pathogens (like P. gingivalis or A. actinomycetemcomitans)
- Systemic health concerns linked to oral inflammation
- pH and buffering capacity (important for cavity prevention)
Why It’s Important?
Salivary testing allows for:
- Early disease detection before symptoms appear
- Personalized treatment plans based on your specific oral microbiome
- Improved monitoring of treatment effectiveness
- Better understanding of systemic links between oral health and overall wellness (e.g., cardiovascular disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s)
Common Uses in Dentistry
- Diagnosing persistent gum inflammation or bone loss
- Identifying high cavity risk in both children and adults
- Guiding periodontal therapy or implant planning
- Monitoring patients with chronic health conditions
A Small Sample, A Big Impact
Salivary testing is fast, painless, and performed chairside during your visit. It’s one of the most advanced tools in modern dentistry: Transforming the way we prevent, diagnose, and treat disease.
