Periodontal Rapid Diagnostic Test Could Calculate Risk for Heart and Lung Disease

Gum (periodontal) disease is caused by infection in the gums and is the leading cause of tooth loss. It gets more common with age, and 50% of 60-year olds will have periodontal disease in at least a mild form. However, untreated gum disease also has wide-ranging and serious effects on the rest of the body, where it correlates with an inflammatory response that affects the course of disease in other conditions. In type 2 diabetes, it increases the risk of heart failure, in cardiovascular disease it increases the risk of stroke or heart failure, in rheumatoid arthritis it increases the severity of disease, while in emphysema (also known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD), it increases the risk of irreversible step-changes in disease severity. For people with these conditions, early detection and treatment of gum disease is a priority. Gum disease is usually identified in the dentist’s chair, when dental hygienists or dentists look for indicators such as tooth movement, sensitivity, gum bleeding or swelling. Now, researchers developing a rapid test for gum disease expect the technology - a probe for use in point of care settings such as dental surgeries or pharmacies - to play a pivotal role in early detection of heart or lung disease, type 2 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.

Researchers from the University of Birmingham (Edgbaston, UK) have devised a new technique that could provide a rapid and accurate assessment of both the presence and extent of gum disease from a sample of saliva that can be taken in any healthcare setting. Their method consists of a specialized probe and a detector that provides a quantitative measurement of biomarkers that indicate both the presence of gum disease and its severity. The biomarker panel was identified and validated by a team of researchers. The researchers have also received funding to develop a prototype of the new device, which is expected to be available within a year. In the long-term, the researchers expect to develop a probe that is small enough to be inserted into the space between gums and teeth, allowing dentists to collect fluid from specific areas in the mouth, and accurately identify the site of infection.

Image: A rapid test for gum disease could aid in early detection of heart or lung disease, and diabetes (Photo courtesy of Pexels)

“We believe the device we are prototyping will be the first dental probe that can identify periodontal disease in this way,” said Professor Tim Albrecht, School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham. “It will detect periodontitis quickly and easily in a variety of healthcare settings, opening up opportunities for monitoring and early intervention in the patients with comorbid disease, who would benefit most from rapid treatment for periodontitis.”

“The ability to detect and profile disease biomarkers in real time will allow monitoring for disease severity, and in particular the transition between milder and more severe forms of gum disease,” added Dr. Melissa Grant, School of Dentistry, University of Birmingam. “This will benefit not only dental health, but also reduce costs and capture patients for whom periodontal treatment may, in the long run, be life-saving.”

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