Salivary indicators of systemic disease

Abstract

The great potential of salivary secretion as a source of important medical information is beginning to be realized. Deviations in flow rate and composition of saliva have been observed in various disease states and suggest many applications of salivary testing. The flow rate of submaxillary saliva is a clue to prognosis in Bell's palsy. Whole saliva is used in a test for digitalis toxicity. Tests for salivary electrolyte changes may prove useful in diagnosis of aldosteronism and of essential hypertension.