In this 3 Minute Thinking video, Professor Gordon Proctor, professor in salivary biology at King's College London examines the crucial role that saliva plays in early disease detection and basic human functions like talking and eating. 3 Minute Thinking is a brand new series of bite-size videos that explore curious topics like climate change, artificial intelligence and Shakespeare. Please visit the 3 Minute Thinking webpage for more information - www.kcl.ac.uk/3Mint/Dental-Gordon-Proctor.aspx Professor Gordon Proctor is a Professor in Salivary Biology at King's College London. His research interests include salivary glands and saliva in health and disease. To read more about his work visit his research profile on the King's College London website: https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/gordon.proctor.html