title: Saliva: a fountain of opportunity.
abstract: Saliva continues to demonstrate that it is more complex than generally perceived and has more diagnostic value than is generally appreciated. This article will review some of the components and functions of saliva; discuss its promise as a diagnostic aid; review some of the problems associated with inadequate salivary function; and, it is hoped, enhance oral health care providers' appreciation of the importance of saliva in everyday clinical practice.
authors.affiliation: Division of Diagnostic Sciences at University of Southern California School of Dentistry, 90089-0641, USA. navazesh@usc.edu
authors.forename: Mahvash
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Navazesh
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Denny
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sobel
mesh_terms: D003933:Diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D012463:Saliva; D012466:Salivary Gland Diseases; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides; D012472:Salivation; D012636:Secretory Rate; D014987:Xerostomia
chemical_list: D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides