Medical expert of the article
New publications
Saliva analysis
Last reviewed: 06.07.2025

All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Saliva analysis is a modern diagnostic method used to identify various infections in the body. With the help of saliva analysis, you can conduct a DNA test and learn how to lose weight. Let's look at the features of diagnosing the body with this study.
Saliva analysis is a very unusual and even unconventional diagnostic method. But, despite this, it is gaining popularity. Today, in many pharmacies you can buy a test and conduct the analysis at home. But how effective is saliva analysis and can it replace a blood test? With the help of such an analysis, it is possible to identify dysbacteriosis of the oral cavity, which is one of the symptoms of gastrointestinal diseases. Volatile fatty acids accumulate in saliva, which are recorded by the test system. It is by the composition of the acids that the cause of dysbacteriosis can be determined, that is, the disease, and effective treatment can be prescribed.
Very often, saliva analysis is used in dentistry. The analysis is necessary when an imbalance of microflora is detected, to determine the cause of this symptom. Saliva analysis allows you to predict the possibility of developing caries, and a DNA test for saliva allows you to determine paternity. This study is also carried out to determine drugs; specialized laboratories are engaged in such diagnostics. Before taking the test, you cannot brush your teeth, eat, rinse your mouth or chew gum, you must also stop taking antibiotics and medications.
Who to contact?
DNA analysis of saliva
DNA analysis of saliva allows to determine kinship, as well as to identify the presence of various infectious agents in the body that cause diseases. DNA analysis of saliva is carried out in specialized BAC laboratories. To conduct this study, for example, to determine kinship, it is necessary to collect three saliva samples for comparison. Thus, to determine paternity, a saliva sample of the mother, father and child is required.
The epithelial scraping must be taken with a cotton swab from the inside of the cheek. After that, the smear is dried at room temperature, but in a dark place, placed in a paper envelope and transferred to the laboratory for further examination. Compliance with the rules for submitting the analysis guarantees reliable research results.
Saliva Analysis for Weight Loss
Saliva analysis for weight loss allows you to determine the factors that prevent the body from losing weight. With the help of this study, you can determine hormonal imbalances in the body and problems in the functioning of systems and organs. As with a blood test, with the help of the results of the saliva analysis, a special diet is compiled, recommendations for losing weight, a list of permitted and prohibited products.
In addition to taking a saliva test, a full diagnosis and examination of the body is necessary for losing weight. For this, it is recommended to take a blood test for biochemistry. This study will allow you to find out the level of fat metabolism in the body, as well as the level of cholesterol, insulin, leptin, lipoproteins, and more. In combination, all these tests will give a complete picture of what is an obstacle to slimness and how to deal with it.
[ 7 ], [ 8 ], [ 9 ], [ 10 ], [ 11 ]
Diet based on saliva analysis
A diet based on saliva analysis is compiled based on the results of the analysis. When compiling a diet, possible diseases and infections are taken into account, as well as all disorders of the body that were diagnosed during the saliva analysis. A diet based on saliva analysis is similar to diets that are compiled based on the results of blood tests and blood type.
Thus, based on the research results, the nutritionist individually makes a list of permitted and prohibited products and general nutritional recommendations. This allows you to control your diet and use a balanced menu that is aimed at losing weight or combating certain diseases.
[ 12 ], [ 13 ], [ 14 ], [ 15 ]
Saliva PCR analysis
PCR saliva analysis is a polymerase chain reaction analysis, i.e. DNA diagnostics. As a rule, PCR is performed to diagnose sexually transmitted infections, as it gives the most accurate results. For PCR saliva analysis, a scraping is taken from the mucous membrane of the cheek. In addition to saliva, urine, blood and other biological fluids are taken for PCR.
Before taking the test, it is recommended not to eat or brush your teeth, as this will allow you to get accurate test results with minimal error. Results can be obtained two to three days after taking the test. If a test system is used to analyze saliva for PCR, the tests will be ready in a couple of hours.
[ 16 ], [ 17 ], [ 18 ], [ 19 ], [ 20 ], [ 21 ]
Biochemical analysis of saliva
Biochemical analysis of saliva is aimed at studying enzymes that determine the state of internal organs (liver, kidneys, gall bladder, etc.). This study allows you to identify dysbacteriosis and the reasons for its occurrence. During the study, indicators for the presence of various pathologies are diagnosed. Pathological processes can arise due to pathogenic changes in the microflora, which lead to one or another disease.
Biochemical analysis of saliva is gradually replacing identical blood analysis. Biochemical parameters in saliva analysis are the same as in blood or urine tests. All this suggests that saliva analysis is a painless and accurate study that allows diagnosing problems in the body and possible diseases.
[ 22 ], [ 23 ], [ 24 ], [ 25 ], [ 26 ], [ 27 ]
Saliva analysis for infections
Saliva analysis for infections allows to identify pathogenic microorganisms in the human body and prescribe effective treatment. Bacterioscopy is a smear for flora. With the help of this analysis, it is possible to determine the presence of factors that provoke various diseases.
Thus, with the help of saliva, it is possible to detect infections that lead to diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and other organs. Please note that the mouth contains the most bacteria, so if you are interested in the presence of a specific infection, that is, bacterial microorganisms, it is better to use a blood test for biochemistry or do a set of studies (blood, urine, saliva) and compare the results.
[ 28 ], [ 29 ], [ 30 ], [ 31 ], [ 32 ]
Genetic analysis of saliva
Genetic analysis of saliva or DNA analysis is performed to determine kinship. Most often, such analysis is used to determine paternity. This study is performed only in specialized laboratories. Thus, the material taken for analysis undergoes several stages of preparatory procedures for purification and extraction of a DNA sample for genotyping.
Genetic analysis of saliva is also necessary to determine genetic predisposition to certain diseases. Thus, a saliva test gives a 99.7% accurate result. Such genetic diagnostics using saliva analysis allows you to protect the body from possible diseases. In addition, genetic analysis of saliva is used to search for relatives. Only DNA markers from several donors are needed to conduct the analysis to compare the results obtained for kinship.
Saliva analysis for tuberculosis
Saliva analysis for tuberculosis should be performed by people who have suspicions of pulmonary diseases. In addition to saliva analysis, ELISA and PCR blood tests are used to diagnose tuberculosis. Saliva testing involves dripping a couple of drops of a reagent onto the resulting smear, which shows the corresponding reaction. If the smear changes color, this indicates the presence of the disease; if there is no change in color, then there is no tuberculosis infection in the body.
In addition to saliva analysis, sputum analysis and Mantoux are used to diagnose tuberculosis. Blood analysis is another effective method for determining the disease. But unlike the above-mentioned tests, saliva analysis is the easiest to take, and the study of the sample does not require much time and special laboratory conditions. But, despite this, saliva analysis for tuberculosis remains the most expensive.
Saliva analysis is a unique research method that can be used to diagnose various diseases, determine the presence of infections and parasites in the body. But most importantly, saliva analysis can be used to conduct DNA diagnostics. This allows you to determine kinship or simply diagnose the state of the body.
[ 33 ], [ 34 ], [ 35 ], [ 36 ], [ 37 ], [ 38 ], [ 39 ], [ 40 ]