Saliva and dental diseases.

Recent studies have greatly extended our understanding and appreciation of the various functions of saliva and its role in preventing dental disease. Elucidating the functions of the various salivary components as well as the mechanisms underlying normal salivary gland physiology is essential for developing rationales for the prevention and treatment of oral pathology. Individuals suffering from the consequences of a variety of forms of salivary gland dysfunction will benefit from therapies developed as the result of these advances. The application of relatively simple techniques for evaluating the functional status of salivary glands and salivary composition will aid in the identification of individuals most susceptible to oral disease.