Dental Tech News: At-Home Testing for Gum Disease

You’ve heard of working from home, but what about testing for gum disease at home?

Researchers at the University of Cincinnati are close to developing an at-home test for gum disease that patients can administer themselves. As you might imagine, this could certainly make things more convenient for those with busy schedules, but is it worth keeping an eye out for further updates? Keep reading to find out!

The Effects of Gum Disease

Gum disease (a.k.a. gingivitis or periodontal disease) doesn’t always present severe symptoms in the early stages. Patients might notice that their gums are swollen or red, which may not trigger immediate concern. As the disease progresses, though, it can significantly weaken the gums, lead to tooth loss, or even spread to other parts of the body.

Considering nearly half of adults over the age of 30 have some form of gum disease, an at-home test would certainly be useful for identifying gingivitis and helping patients avoid disastrous consequences.

How Would a Take-Home Test Work?

The bacteria strains that cause gum disease are fairly specific. While that’s kind of gross, it does mean that the presence of gum disease can be determined by your saliva content. The University of Cincinnati aims to design an at-home kit that would basically allow patients to collect their own saliva samples and have it tested for gingivitis bacteria. It’s as simple as that! If development continues to go smoothly, this would be a very accessible and convenient test.

Impact on Oral Health

The sooner gum disease can be detected, the easier it is to treat. If a patient can see that they have gingivitis bacteria in their mouth, they can take swift action to manage it and prevent it from spreading. A dentist would still ultimately be needed to determine the best form of treatment, but a gingivitis take-home test could make it easier for those with busy schedules or dental anxiety to monitor their oral health.

This test has been in development since 2023, and every year researchers get closer to finalizing it and making it publicly available. If you’re interested in the preventative benefits of a take-home gum disease test, then it’s definitely worth watching out for updates – they could be coming soon!

About the Author

Dr. Christopher Capehart earned his dental degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. Dr. Capehart likes to stay up to date with the latest dental techniques, and is very interested to see how the gum disease take-home test will continue to progress. If you have questions about emerging dental tech or gingivitis, give him a call at 972-436-1325.