Despite the clinical significance of gingivitis, little is know about the correlation between the levels of salivary biomarkers, the presence of periodontal pathogens and IL-1 polymorphism, and how this affect their susceptibility to gingivitis. If IL-1 polymorphism is indeed associated with increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines expression and the presence of specific periodontal pathogens, then screening for this polymorphism will be a valuable and necessary tool. As periodontal treatments, such as scaling and root planing, have been shown to be successful at decreasing the levels of IL-1 in the gingival crevicular fluid, a more aggressive treatment regimen may be warranted when the patient is genotype positive. If biomarkers in saliva and plaque biofilm can serve as accurate predictors of gingivitis, the ability for early detection of disease in patients is enhanced. Pro-inflammatory salivary biomarkers, specific pathogenic bacteria and genotype aid in establishing more accurate diagnostic and prognostic parameters of periodontal diseases, compared to current parameters (e.g. probing pocket depth, clinical attachment loss...) that reflect the history rather than the present and future status of disease. As a consequence, intervention can be initiated prior to irreversible tissue breakdown and oral health care costs may be reduced. Research efforts in the future should be directed toward the establishment of an affordable and practical chairside salivary test.