Researchers develop new test to detect early stages of tooth decay at home

WASHINGTON DC: A novel product developed by researchers at the University of Cincinnati can alert consumers to the early stages of tooth decay brought on by conditions like gingivitis and periodontitis.

The earliest stage of gum disease, gingivitis, is brought on by bacteria, but not just any bacteria.

According to Andrew Steckl, an Ohio Eminent Scholar and distinguished research professor in the University of California's College of Engineering and Applied Science, the challenge for researchers was developing a tool to identify the specific kind responsible for the sickness.

“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.

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, adding, “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.”

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.

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.

“Daewoo worked very hard on many dead-ends before he had success,” Steckl said, adding, “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 opportunities for new consumer products.“Our results definitely show promise,” Steckl said, adding, “Sometimes it comes easy. Most of the time you have to persevere.”