title: Oral mucosal immunology: an overview.
abstract: The primary function of the immune system of the mouth is to protect the teeth, jaws, gingivae and oral mucosa against infection. These host defences vary in the different oral microenvironments or domains represented by the oral mucosa, saliva and gingival crevice. This review aims to consider and contrast the main immune components in each domain and cites examples of oral diseases where the immune response is defective.
authors.affiliation: Oral Pathology & Oral Medicine, Westmead Centre for Oral Health, Westmead Hospital, Wentworthville, Australia.
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Walker
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000276:immunology*; D012463:Saliva / Q000276:immunology; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology