Introduction: Oral cancer is in the sixth place of the different types of cancer and more than 90% are oral squamous cell carcinoma (CCECO). Despite diagnostic and therapeutic advances, the survival rate is low due to late diagnosis. Alternative techniques have been described to replace the traditional biopsy and histopathology, including the use of salivary biomarkers. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) are suggested as potential salivary biomarkers for early cancer detection. This literature review evaluated the diagnostic capability of IL-6 and IL-8 in early diagnosis of CCECO. Review: Salivary biomarkers are simple, non-invasive and inexpensive for early detection of CCECO. They can be used in all stages of cancer from precancerous stages to metastasis. There are diverse types of biomarkers, within the group of cytokines the markers IL-6 and IL-8 are pro-inflammatory cytokines that facilitate carcinogenesis by promoting proliferation, generation of free radicals, cell survival and angiogenesis. Their diagnostic capability for the detection of CCECO is based on significant increases in their concentration in the presence of the pathology. They also have high sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing this cancer. Conclusions: As salivary biomarkers, IL-6 and IL-8, are considered as non-invasive alternatives of high diagnostic capability for early diagnosis of CCECO due to the significant increases in their concentration and high levels of sensitivity and specificity.