Saliva Testing That Shows What's Really Going On
You measure your sleep, your training and your bloodwork. Saliva testing in Seattle at SMILES ON 35th brings the same clarity to your mouth. Dr. Rubecca Shahid uses a simple saliva test to see which bacteria are at work, so your care targets your results.
When a visual check isn't enough
Gum problems and cavities that keep coming back usually have a cause you can measure.
Maybe you know your numbers, from blood panels to sleep scores, yet your dental care has only ever been someone looking in your mouth. Or you brush and floss well and still hear about bleeding gums or another cavity, with no explanation of why.
The bacteria in your mouth play a big part in gum disease and decay, and they differ from person to person. A saliva test shows which ones are present, so treatment can target them instead of following a one-size-fits-all routine. Retesting then shows whether that treatment is working, so you can see your progress in your results.
See what your first visit includes
Answers you can act on
A saliva test turns a guess into a finding, and gives your treatment a clear starting point. Here's what that means for you.
Your results show the bacteria linked to gum disease and decay, so recurring problems finally have an explanation you can understand and act on.
Instead of a standard routine, your gum or cavity care, prescriptions and home-care products are chosen to target what the test found in your mouth.
Retesting after treatment shows whether the bacteria have changed, so you can see your progress in your results, not just hope for it. If something isn't working, we adjust.
Even when nothing hurts, a first result gives you a reference point. Future tests can then show a change early, while it's still simple to address and before it becomes damage.
Two people with bleeding gums can have very different bacteria. Testing makes sure your care fits your mouth, not an average.
What the test involves
Salivary testing is quick and painless, and it fits easily into a regular visit. Here's what to expect from start to finish.
A simple rinse
You swish a small amount of rinse for a moment and spit it into a tube. There are no needles and no discomfort.
Bacteria measured
The test identifies the bacteria linked to gum disease and those linked to cavities, and how much of each is present.
Blood testing alongside
When it helps your plan, a blood test looks for inflammation and nutritional gaps that can affect your gums and overall health.
Results reviewed together
Dr. Shahid walks you through your results in plain language and explains what they mean for your care.
Who saliva testing helps
It suits you if gum problems or cavities keep returning despite good habits, if you've been told you need a deep cleaning and want to know why, or if you're proactive about your health and want a baseline before anything goes wrong.
When your exam finds signs of inflammation, saliva testing becomes part of your conservative treatment plan, so the care that follows is matched to what's actually happening in your mouth.
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From test to targeted care
Test at your visit
We collect a saliva sample during your exam when signs of inflammation are found. It takes a few minutes.
Review your results
We sit down together to go over which bacteria were found and what they mean for your gums and teeth.
Targeted treatment
Your plan targets your results, from gum care and prescriptions to home-care tools you'll actually use.
Retest
A follow-up test shows how your mouth has responded, and guides your next steps and check-up schedule.
A gentle dentist who champions your lifelong health
Dr. Rubecca Shahid owns SMILES ON 35th in Wedgwood and leads your care herself, gently and with time to listen. Her own health struggles, then her mother's diagnosis, left her asking what the point of all our hard work is without the health to enjoy it. Longevity dentistry is her answer: care that protects your mouth and your health, so you can enjoy the life you're building.
Her care is conservative: she saves natural tooth wherever she can, chooses the least invasive option that will last, and recommends only treatment that truly helps you. When a tooth needs more, she shows you why. She is empathetic and thorough, with clear choices and no pressure.
She champions your long-term health and has trained to deliver on it. A Kois Center graduate, one of about 1,200 dentists worldwide, she completes nearly eight times the continuing education Washington requires every year. Her training spans prevention, function and sleep, restoration and smile design, so one dentist who knows you can plan each stage, close to home.
- Advanced training in diagnosis, treatment planning and bite stabilization from the Kois Center
- Biomimetic Dentistry Practitioner with mastership from the Alleman Center
- Member of American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine
- Member of American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
I came to longevity dentistry through my own health journey, wanting to understand why problems start and how to prevent them. What I needed then is what I want for you now: more good years, a smile you feel good about, and a dentist who listens.
Testing that leads somewhere
A test only matters if it changes your care. At SMILES ON 35th, your results lead straight to a plan, and a retest shows whether it worked.
Testing in our office
Saliva testing is part of your visit at SMILES ON 35th, not an add-on you have to arrange elsewhere.
Treatment built from results
Dr. Shahid is trained in treating inflammation in your mouth and reading your health history and markers, so your results shape a personalized plan.
Progress you can measure
Retesting shows how the bacteria have changed, so you can see that treatment is working.
Your physician in the loop
When results point beyond your mouth, we work with your physician, or one from our network.
Hear it from our patients
Before you book, it helps to hear from people who have been in the chair. Read what patients say about their visits and treatment at SMILES ON 35th.
Read more reviewson Google (opens in a new tab)Wonderful experience. Getting my cavities filled was a breeze, and Dr. Shahid gives recommendations based on your health, not on selling you treatments. Highly recommend!
Saliva testing questions
A saliva test shows which bacteria linked to gum disease and cavities are in your mouth, and how much of each is present. That tells us what's driving a problem and which treatment is most likely to help.
You rinse with a small amount of liquid and spit it into a collection tube. It takes a few minutes during your visit, and it doesn't hurt.
Your results decide which treatments, prescriptions and home-care products we recommend, so care targets the bacteria you actually have. A retest later shows whether it's working, and we adjust if needed.
It can still be worthwhile. Gum disease and early decay often cause no pain at first, and a baseline result makes it easier to spot changes before they become damage.
No. You simply rinse and spit into a tube. There are no needles, no scraping and nothing uncomfortable.
Reviewed by Dr. Rubecca Shahid Updated
Where your results lead
Your saliva test results guide the next step. Learn how we treat gum disease, prevent cavities and look after your whole-body health.
