Saliva Testing: What Your Saliva Can Reveal About Your Health

By Michael B. Rogers, DDS

Your saliva holds valuable information about what is happening inside your mouth. At Fairlington Dental, we use advanced saliva testing through Bristle and OralDNA to detect hidden oral health issues before they become serious. This science-based approach allows us to provide more personalized care and improve outcomes for your oral and overall health.

Why Saliva Testing Matters

A traditional dental exam gives important insights, but it cannot always reveal which bacteria are contributing to gum disease, decay, or inflammation. Saliva testing gives us a deeper look. It identifies the types and levels of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms present in your mouth, helping us understand what is driving disease.

Bristle analyzes the full oral microbiome, identifying both beneficial and harmful bacteria that influence your oral and systemic health. OralDNA focuses on detecting bacterial species linked to periodontal disease and inflammation. Together, these tools help us move from treating symptoms to identifying and addressing root causes.

How It Works

Saliva testing is simple and completely noninvasive. You provide a small saliva sample in our office, which is analyzed in a specialized lab. The lab identifies microorganisms present and measures your risk for various oral conditions.

When results return, we review your personalized report and use the findings to:

Design a treatment plan that targets harmful bacteria while supporting healthy balance
Monitor your progress and track how your oral health changes over time
Detect early warning signs before they develop into more serious issues

The Benefits of Saliva Testing

Early Detection
Many oral diseases begin quietly. Saliva testing helps identify risks before symptoms appear, allowing preventive action.

Personalized Care
Since we know which bacteria are involved, we can create a treatment plan tailored to your needs rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

Monitoring and Maintenance
We can repeat the test periodically to track your microbiome and ensure your oral environment stays balanced and healthy.

Whole-Body Health
Research continues to show that oral bacteria influence the rest of the body. Inflammation and bacterial imbalance are linked to conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and systemic inflammation. Understanding your oral microbiome helps protect your overall wellness.

When to Consider Saliva Testing

If you experience persistent gum bleeding, bad breath, chronic inflammation, or recurring dental problems, you should consult your dentist about saliva testing. Identifying bacterial imbalances early can help prevent complications and support your long-term health.

Advanced Periodontal Care at Fairlington Dental

At Fairlington Dental, we believe oral health is connected to whole-body health. By incorporating saliva testing through Bristle and OralDNA into our periodontal care, we can identify concerns earlier, personalize treatment, and help our patients achieve healthier, more sustainable results.

Your saliva tells a story about your health. With the right insight and care, we can use that information to protect your smile and support your well-being for years to come.