Dental practitioners are becoming more cognizant of the importance of saliva as they treat a greater number of older patients, especially those with medical problems requiring a variety of medications that have xerostomia as a side effect. This article discusses salivary composition and function in a broad perspective, relating them to clinical concerns and current research. Understanding the role of saliva in maintaining health, as well as its relation to oral disease, is vital to the competent dental practitioner.

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