Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Surface Membrane Barriers01:18

Surface Membrane Barriers

3.0K
The skin and mucous membranes serve as the primary line of defense against pathogens by providing both physical and chemical protection. These barriers are essential in preventing the entry and establishment of microbes, thereby maintaining the integrity of the host.
The outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, is a robust barrier comprising layers of closely packed keratinized cells. This dense arrangement prevents microbes from penetrating the body. The periodic shedding of epidermal cells...
3.0K
Defense Mechanism Against Infection01:26

Defense Mechanism Against Infection

9.6K
Natural flora, body system defenses, and inflammation are natural barriers of the body against infectious agents regardless of previous exposure. Normal floras of the human body refer to the microbial population that colonizes the skin and mucous membranes.
In addition, many body organ systems have unique defenses against infection. The skin is an intact, multilayered surface preventing invasion by microorganisms unless impaired. Mucous membranes lining the mouth, nose, and eyelids are barriers...
9.6K
The Oral Microbiota01:27

The Oral Microbiota

90
The oral microbiome includes a complex ecosystem comprising over 700 microbial species, identified through genomic sequencing and culture-based analyses to date. This community includes a core microbiome, found universally among individuals, and a variable component influenced by environmental factors such as diet, lifestyle, and host genetics. Site-specific conditions, including oxygen gradients, pH levels, and nutrient availability, determine the spatial distribution of these microorganisms...
90
Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens01:31

Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens

3.0K
The human immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to defend the body against bacterial infections. It consists of various immune cells, each playing a specific role in the defense mechanism.
Phagocytes
Phagocytes are the frontline soldiers of the immune system. They include neutrophils and macrophages. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and are quickly mobilized to the site of infection. Macrophages are larger cells that patrol...
3.0K
Antimicrobial Proteins01:23

Antimicrobial Proteins

10.6K
Antimicrobial proteins are important components of the immune system. They aid the body in combating pathogens by either killing them directly or hindering their replication processes. Four main types of antimicrobial substances are interferons, the complement system, iron-binding proteins, and antimicrobial proteins.
Interferons
Interferons (IFNs) are proteins produced by lymphocytes, macrophages, and fibroblasts infected with viruses. While IFNs cannot prevent viruses from entering and...
10.6K
Salivary Glands and Saliva01:23

Salivary Glands and Saliva

3.1K
The salivary glands, of which there are three pairs known as the parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands, play a crucial role in maintaining oral health and initiating the digestive process. Positioned near the ears, beneath the masseter muscle, the parotid glands secrete saliva into the oral cavity through the parotid duct of Stensen. Meanwhile, the submandibular glands, located on the floor of the mouth, secrete saliva through channels named submandibular ducts. The sublingual glands,...
3.1K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Salivary response to training in young professional football players.

British dental journal·2026
Same author

Exploring the Correlation between Salivary Spinnbarkeit and Caries Scores.

Caries research·2024
Same author

GPCR/endocytosis/ERK signaling/S2R is involved in the regulation of the internalization, mitochondria-targeting and -activating properties of human salivary histatin 1.

International journal of oral science·2022
Same author

Natural and Synthetic Sortase A Substrates Are Processed by <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> via Different Pathways.

Bioconjugate chemistry·2022
Same author

Comparing periodontitis biomarkers in saliva, oral rinse and gingival crevicular fluid: A pilot study.

Journal of clinical periodontology·2021
Same author

Human Salivary Histatin-1 Promotes Osteogenic Cell Spreading on Both Bio-Inert Substrates and Titanium SLA Surfaces.

Frontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology·2020

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 29, 2026

Systematic Approach to Identify Novel Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Molecules from Plants' Extracts and Fractions to Prevent Dental Caries
08:20

Systematic Approach to Identify Novel Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Molecules from Plants' Extracts and Fractions to Prevent Dental Caries

Published on: March 31, 2021

5.7K

Antimicrobial defense systems in saliva.

Wim van 't Hof1, Enno C I Veerman, Arie V Nieuw Amerongen

  • 1Department of Periodontology and Oral Biochemistry, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Monographs in Oral Science
|May 28, 2014
PubMed
Summary

Saliva is crucial for maintaining oral health by fostering a diverse bacterial community. It prevents pathogenic overgrowth through various antimicrobial and binding mechanisms, promoting a balanced oral microbiome.

More Related Videos

Developing a Salivary Antibody Multiplex Immunoassay to Measure Human Exposure to Environmental Pathogens
09:08

Developing a Salivary Antibody Multiplex Immunoassay to Measure Human Exposure to Environmental Pathogens

Published on: September 12, 2016

7.7K
Two-layered Membrane Sandwich Method for Laodelphax striatellus Saliva Collection
06:13

Two-layered Membrane Sandwich Method for Laodelphax striatellus Saliva Collection

Published on: August 27, 2021

2.0K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 29, 2026

Systematic Approach to Identify Novel Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Molecules from Plants' Extracts and Fractions to Prevent Dental Caries
08:20

Systematic Approach to Identify Novel Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Molecules from Plants' Extracts and Fractions to Prevent Dental Caries

Published on: March 31, 2021

5.7K
Developing a Salivary Antibody Multiplex Immunoassay to Measure Human Exposure to Environmental Pathogens
09:08

Developing a Salivary Antibody Multiplex Immunoassay to Measure Human Exposure to Environmental Pathogens

Published on: September 12, 2016

7.7K
Two-layered Membrane Sandwich Method for Laodelphax striatellus Saliva Collection
06:13

Two-layered Membrane Sandwich Method for Laodelphax striatellus Saliva Collection

Published on: August 27, 2021

2.0K

Area of Science:

  • Oral microbiology
  • Human physiology

Background:

  • The oral cavity hosts a complex and diverse microflora.
  • Saliva plays a key role in maintaining the ecological balance of the oral environment.
  • Understanding saliva's influence on oral microflora composition is vital for oral health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the mechanisms by which saliva modulates the composition of the oral microflora.
  • To highlight saliva's role in promoting oral microbial diversity and preventing pathogenic bacterial overgrowth.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on saliva composition and function.
  • Analysis of saliva's effects on bacterial attachment, growth, and nutrient availability.
  • Discussion of salivary antimicrobial components and their roles.

Main Results:

  • Saliva forms a conditioning film influencing initial microbial attachment.
  • Soluble salivary proteins bind bacteria, inhibiting adherence to oral surfaces.
  • Salivary glycoproteins serve as nutrients, supporting microbial complexity.
  • Antimicrobial proteins in saliva (e.g., lactoferrin, lysozyme) inhibit bacterial overgrowth.
  • Saliva mobilizes immune defenses under pathological conditions.

Conclusions:

  • Saliva actively shapes a highly diverse oral microflora, rather than a sterile environment.
  • These salivary functions collectively contribute to maintaining oral homeostasis and health.
  • Saliva's multifaceted roles are essential for preventing dysbiosis and infection.