[Saliva research: now and in the future].
In the near future salivary research will most likely play a rather important role in daily dental practice. The dentist will be expected to gather data concerning the patient's nutrition, medical history, oral complaints and xerostomia as perceived by the patient. In addition he may perform the following plain measurements: secretion rate of whole saliva in resting condition and after stimulation, and some parameters of importance for caries. The biochemical analysis of whole saliva and glandular salivas can be performed only in specialized laboratory. New developments are to be expected on the field of biotechnical synthesis of salivary protective factors, that is to say, histatins and cystatins in the nearby future and mucins on the longer term. New saliva substitutes and mouth rinses will be made on the basis of these artificially made proteins, not only to relieve xerostomia, but also to prevent oral infection and inflammation.
van Nieuw Amerongen
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Vakgroep Orale Biochemie, Academisch Centrum Tandheelkunde Amsterdam (ACTA).
D015891:Cystatins / Q000494:pharmacology; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003813:Dentistry / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D009067:Mouthwashes; D009077:Mucins / Q000494:pharmacology; D009426:Netherlands; D011506:Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D012464:Saliva, Artificial; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000502:physiology; D012472:Salivation; D012636:Secretory Rate; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D000099053:Histidine-Rich Glycoprotein
D015891:Cystatins; D009067:Mouthwashes; D009077:Mucins; D011506:Proteins; D012464:Saliva, Artificial; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides; D000099053:Histidine-Rich Glycoprotein