Home Test Shields Your Smile by Spotting Tooth Decay Risks

Groundbreaking home test for gingivitis and periodontal disease enables early detection of tooth decay risks.

Oral health protection gets a boost with a novel at-home test developed by engineers at the University of Cincinnati, which employs saliva to identify the onset of conditions like gingivitis and periodontitis ().

Gingivitis, the earliest form of gum disease, is caused by bacteria. But not just any bacteria.

Periodontitis
Periodontitis or pyorrhea is infection and inflammation of ligament tissues that surround and support the teeth. Periodontitis causes loss of alveolar bones leading to loosening and loss of teeth.

‘Engineers have invented an innovative at-home test that safeguards oral health by detecting early signs of gum diseases like gingivitis and periodontitis using saliva. # Gingivitis, #OralHealth, #Saliva ’

The problem for researchers was getting a device to single out the particular type responsible for the disease, said Andrew Steckl, an Ohio Eminent Scholar and distinguished research professor in UC’s College of Engineering and Applied Science.

“It’s been quite the challenge to get to the point where we can detect this toxin created by the bacteria responsible for gingivitis,” he said.

Steckl and UC Senior Research Associate Daewoo Han collaborated with Sancai Xie, a principal scientist at Procter & Gamble Co., and described their results in a paper published in the Royal Society of Chemistry journal Sensors and Diagnostics.

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Toothpaste is a key part of the oral hygiene routine that helps to remove food debris and plaque from teeth and gums. Depending on the ingredients, they can also add other benefits.

Steckl’s research team has been exploring biosensing for various applications. They studied stress hormones in sweat in collaboration with the Air Force Research Lab at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Now they are studying saliva.

“There are good reasons to use saliva,” he said. “It’s relatively plentiful and easy to obtain through noninvasive methods. And saliva has a lot of important elements that can act as indicators of your health.”

Bleeding Gums
Bleeding gums is a condition in which blood leaks from the gums and the spaces between the teeth. Gingivitis and periodontitis are the causes of bleeding gums which result in pain and swollen gums.

Bacteria from gingivitis can travel through the bloodstream, leading to cardiovascular disease and other serious health problems, Steckl said.

But saliva is a complicated biofluid, said Han, the study's lead author.

Innovative Saliva-Based Test Offers Early Warning

Researchers pretreated the sample using potato starch to remove a protein called amylase that could interfere with the test results. Their test uses antibodies that react to the endotoxins found in the bacteria.

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“Daewoo worked very hard on many dead-ends before he had success,” Steckl said. “I tell my students that research is search, search and re-search until you find the answer.”

At-home health testing has been available for generations in niche uses such as detecting pregnancy. But the COVID-19 pandemic introduced a wide audience of consumers to the concept of monitoring their health with new technology.

The at-home testing industry is expected to generate $45 billion annually by 2031, according to Allied Market Research.

Steckl said he sees a lot of opportunity for new consumer products.

“Our results definitely show promise,” Steckl said. “Sometimes it comes easy. Most of the time you have to persevere.”

Reference:

Salivary endotoxin detection using antibody-based sandwich-type lateral flow immunoassay device - (https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2023/SD/D3SD00158J)

Source-Eurekalert