Oral Mucosa Biology and Salivary Biomarkers

Although the surfaces of both the skin and oral mucosa are protected by squamous epithelial cells and fall within the scope of dermatologic practice, the oral cavity contains highly specialized structures and functions distinct from other skin biology and pathologic conditions and are also the purview of clinicians who care for patients with skin and mucosal diseases. We describe the distinct features of the tongue, mucosa, and salivary glands. In particular, we examine the composition and function of the saliva, with special focus on salivary biomarkers. Within the oral cavity, saliva shows great promise as a noninvasive and sensitive marker for many systemic diseases. Biomarkers are being used as diagnostic or monitoring tools for a wide variety of diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjögren disease, Behçet disease, and autoimmune blistering disorders, as well as premalignant and malignant lesions of the mouth.