Science New chewing gum can detect inflammation in the mouth

A chewing gum for rapid testing in case of inflammation?
Chewing gums are especially popular for refreshing the breath. However, a research team at the Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg has now developed a chewing gum that can do far more than inhibit bad breath. The chewing gum allows early detection of inflammation in the mouth of patients with dental implants.

Chewing gums that provide fresh breath and support dental care are used by many people. The use as a diagnostic agent for inflammation, however, is a revolutionary novelty. With the help of the developed chewing gum, the inflammation can be detected at an early stage and serious consequences can be prevented. The scientists presented their new development in the renowned journal "Nature Communications".

A newly developed rapid chewing gum test should detect inflammation in the mouth early. (Image: BillionPhotos.com/fotolia.com)

Inflammation can destroy the bone
Patients with dental implants may experience complications of severe inflammation. Around six to fifteen percent of patients in the years after implant placement are affected by inflammation caused by bacteria and, in the worst case, destroys the soft tissue and bone around the implant, the researchers at the Julius Maximilians University report Würzburg.

Bacterial inflammation with the chewing gum easily detectable
With the newly developed rapid chewing gum test, the University of Würzburg will soon be able to determine quickly and cost-effectively whether such bacterial inflammation is developing in the mouth. The research team around Professor Lorenz Meinel and Dr. med. Jennifer Ritzer from the University of Würzburg has developed the new diagnostic tool and plans to bring it to market within the next few years.

Bitter taste indicates inflammation
The function of the chewing gum is explained by the experts as follows. When chewing the chewing gum, a bitter flavor is released when there is an inflammation. The affected people perceive this with their tongues and then they can go to their dentist, who confirms the diagnosis if necessary and initiates treatment of the inflammation. This type of early detection can help to prevent serious complications such as bone loss, explain the scientists.

Chewing gum rapid test successfully tested in initial studies
According to the researchers, the function of the chewing gum is based on specific protein-degrading enzymes, which are activated in the mouth during inflammation and also break down a special ingredient of the chewing gum within just five minutes. This will release a bitter substance that was previously unpalatable. Initial studies on the saliva of patients have already been successfully carried out: "Anyone can use this new diagnostic system anywhere, anytime and without technical equipment," says Professor Lorenz Meinel, emphasizing the benefits of chewing gum.

According to the experts, further chewing gum rapid tests for other medical applications are already under development and there is hope that "other diseases can be addressed and treated as early as possible", says Prof. Meinel. (Fp)