Saliva collection instructions
Directions to collect saliva
Saliva should be collected at the precise time(s) that your physician prescribed. The preferred method for collecting saliva is to use the provided 2 salivette. A salivette is a device made specifically for the purpose of collecting saliva.
Please read the following directions carefully before starting your collection.
Before collection
- Collect saliva at the specific times(s)listed by your physician
- 24 hours before collection – DON’T use any creams or lotions that contain steroids such as hydrocortisone and DON’T use any steroid inhalers. These products can contaminate the salivette and interfere with the results.
- 30 minutes before collection – DO NOT eat or drink anything at least 30 minutes before collecting saliva.
- Avoid activities that may cause your gums to bleed- DO NOT brush or floss your teeth before collecting saliva.
- If your gums or the inside of your mouth are bleeding- DO NOT collect a sample. Please consult with your physician if this a chronic problem.
When you are ready to start collecting saliva
- Before touching the salivettes, wash your hands with soap and water and dry them thoroughly.
- Test needs to be done over two consecutive nights: each with a different salivette.
- Open top cap/stopper and place cylindrical cotton pad in your mouth
- Roll the cotton pad in your mouth for a minimum of 90 seconds. (Cotton pad should be saturated)
- If you cannot roll the cotton pad in your mouth, place the cotton pad under the tongue for a minimum of 90 seconds or until its well saturated.
- Once the cotton pad is saturated, it should be put back into the insert (internal smaller Bessel) and firmly closed with the top cap/stopper. The salivette should now look exactly as it did when you started, with the cap insert, cotton pad and centrifuge tube.
- Carefully label each salivette with your name, the time collected, the date, and your physician’s name on each salivette.
- Store the 2 specimens in freezer post collection and return the specimen kits to CCAD lab center the following morning after the second sample collection.
- On Saturdays, the lab is closed.
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