Saliva and other oral substances are emerging as the bodily fluids of choice for physicians, dentists and drug testers, researchers say,
In a report at the 2005 annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Washington, researchers said saliva and other oral fluids (from the cheek and gum surfaces) contain many of the same proteins and other molecules that blood and urine do.
Some of these molecules can reveal the presence of diseases such as cancer. Others can be used to predict the number of cavities in a person's teeth and perhaps even where in the mouth the cavities will develop, according to new research.
Saliva testing for drugs of abuse is also a growing trend in the workplace.
Saliva is relatively easy to collect, since spitting into a cup doesn't require needles and can be done while a doctor or drug tester watches.
© Copyright 2005 by United Press International
