The incidence of squamous cell carcinomas in the upper aerodigestive tract has increased worldwide. The main risk factors are chronic tobacco and alcohol consumption. The detection of high-risk persons is important because early diagnosis of these tumors provides a good chance for permanent healing. Biomonitoring programs may help to give precise information about the individual cancer risk among smoking and drinking persons. The aim of this study was to evaluate the Ames test as a biomarker to detect the genotoxicity of saliva.Saliva specimens of 131 probands were investigated for their genotoxic effects using the Ames test.Our results showed an increased trend of genotoxic activity in the saliva of smokers. A highly significant additional increase of genotoxicity was measured in smoking and drinking individuals.Our study shows that the Ames test could be used to show genotoxic effects in saliva specimens. In combination with other biomarkers, this test may help to develop a valid concept for detecting cancer-endangered people.