The Future of Oral Health Technology – And What It Means for Brain Health
When you think of dental instruments, what comes to mind? Maybe paper bibs, suction devices or those tiny, round angled mirrors probing through your mouth. While these tools are still essential, some of the most impressive technological advances are happening right in your dentist’s office.
• AI-powered imaging. Tools leveraging AI now sort and analyze imaging, helping dentists detect illness and collaborate better with physicians for diagnosis and treatment plans.
• Computed Tomography (CBCT). This specialized type of X-ray provides ultra-precise 3D images of your teeth, soft tissues, nerve pathways and facial bone in a single scan.
• CAD/CAM Technology. Computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) is revolutionizing restorative dentistry and helps make same-day dentistry possible.
• VELscope®. This small but mighty handheld device uses blue light to enhance the visual examination of your mouth to better detect early cancer or precancerous changes.
What’s particularly exciting is the way technological advances in oral health have the potential to affect health throughout the body – including the brain.
Can you imagine a saliva test1 predicting your risk of dementia? Tech advances are revealing how oral bacteria and biomarkers impact brain health, emphasizing the Mouth-Body Connection®. Dentists and doctors are teaming up to help patients mitigate dementia risks2 by prioritizing oral care and overall wellness. If high-tech imaging and brain health research aren’t what you associate with your dentist, I hope you’ll visit your dentist’s office soon. It’s time to see the technological advances you may have been missing.
Until next time,
Dr. Carolyn Ghazal, DDS
Contents
Can Your Retainer Track Your Dementia Risk? The Future of Oral Health and Brain Health Technology
Investigate how wearable tech in your mouth can monitor sleep, diabetes risks, and even brain health. The future of oral tech is here!
In the Spotlight: The Secrets of Saliva
See how saliva holds secrets to your health! From gum disease to diabetes, find out how cutting-edge tests reveal what's hiding in plain sight.
Smile Stories - charity:water
Here’s how we’re helping people get clean, safe water—thanks to charity: water and YOU!
When Anxiety Meets the Mouth
Uncover how anxiety impacts oral health, from grinding teeth to canker sores, and learn how dentists can help in holistic care.
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Can Your Retainer Track Your Dementia Risk?
THE FUTURE OF ORAL HEALTH AND BRAIN HEALTH TECHNOLOGY
By Dr. Deepika Dhama, DDS and David Baker
Wearable technology in your shoe can track every step1 you take. The watch on your wrist can measure your heart rate2 . A specially tricked-out contact lens can warn you of rising blood sugar3.
The world of data gathering is so rich, that researchers are now putting their tech where their mouth
is.
Technology worn in or near the mouth4 can give people valuable personal health data, including information about the quality of their sleep5, which is an important factor in brain health. Researchers have long suggested that poorquality sleep6 puts us at increased risk of dementia, but how do you know if you’re getting the quality sleep your brain needs? Wearable technology may soon provide those insights, all from the comfort of your own bed, without having to access sleep centers7.
Open Up and Say ‘Ah-Ha!’
The Mouth-Body Connection®8 refers to the relationship between your teeth and gums and the rest of your body’s health. This usually describes how keeping your teeth and gums healthy may prevent the types of bacteria from forming in your mouth that can affect your heart health9, brain health10 or even your risk for developing cancer11
The world of personal medical data-gathering adds a whole new dimension to the Mouth-Body Connection. For example, a small transmitter on a retainer-like device is being developed to both detect and treat12 sleep apnea, a condition in which a person temporarily pauses in breathing during sleep, either for a few seconds or even several minutes throughout the night.
Even without high-tech wearables, data-gathering tools can enhance your understanding of wholebody health. Our Innovation team developed the Patient Dashboard which streamlines patient information into one easy-toaccess location. By integrating medical records from primary care doctors, specialists, and dentists, this tool provides a more complete view of a patient’s health.
The Patient Dashboard helps both their doctors and dentists make the most informed recommendations and empowers patients with the knowledge and information they need to make more informed decisions.
For example, there is a known link between tooth loss and increased risk of dementia13, both because bacteria from gum disease may affect brain health and because neglecting oral health can be an early hint that someone is experiencing cognitive decline. With a complete health record, patients, doctors and dentists can look for clues about health issues that may be emerging – with the goal of treating those conditions early or even delaying or preventing them.
Wearing More than a Smile
Many of us already wear health data-gathering monitors on our wrists and carry them around with us on our phones. But the future of wearable technology may soon be in our mouths. Imagine a world in which mouthguards14 monitor our blood sugar to tell us our risk of developing diabetes and dementia15 Or retainers help optimize sleep for better brain health as we age.
The idea of noninvasive wearable tech in or near our mouths may one day arm us with the data we need to stay healthier and stave off the effects of Alzheimer’s disease.
That’s tech that makes me smile.
Dr. Deepika Dhama, DDS is a seasoned clinician with nearly 30 years of experience and a leader in dental-medical integration (DMI). As the owner of a DMI practice in Southern California, she combines advanced diagnostics, digital technology, and interdisciplinary care to improve health outcomes.
David Baker, Chief Information & Digital Officer is a visionary leader at PDS Health, recognized for his industry-leading achievements and innovation. With broad expertise spanning finance, telecom, and healthcare, he brings a wealth of knowledge and strategic insight.
Dental Provider
If
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
The Secrets of Saliva
By Diana Do-Yabut, DDS
your mouth were
a movie, teeth and gums would be the lead actors – the stars who get all the attention. Saliva, the fluid that keeps the mouth lubricated, is the film crew that plays a vital role in the background.
What scientists have found is that saliva acts like a repository of valuable information about the health of your gums and certain aspects of your overall health. At dental offices, chairside, state-of-the-art saliva screenings are similar to blood tests – they yield
important data that can be used to help find signs of specific conditions and improve your oral health. Unlike blood tests sent to a lab for analysis, however, chairside saliva screenings reveal results in several minutes.
Those results may show early signs of gum disease before it’s visible, or of high glucose levels – an indicator of diabetes – before symptoms manifest themselves. The rationale for these screenings is simple: early intervention. Armed with information, your dentist or doctor can treat periodontitis or diabetes before either one progresses.
OralFitnessCheck® is a chairside saliva screening for periodontal disease now available in dental offices. You swish and gargle a solution, spit it into a cup, and the dental team analyzes the sample. The screening measures aMMP-8 - activated matrix metalloproteinase 8 – which are enzymes that damage and obliterate collagen, a protein present in the mouth. After several minutes,
OralFitnessCheck provides a numerical readout based on the amount of aMMP-8 present. The more aMMP-8 found, the more likely the presence of periodontal disease in the mouth. Your dentist will discuss what the findings mean and steps to stop periodontal disease in its tracks.1
For patients with dental implants, the results can be especially useful in discovering if they may have peri-implantitis – when the tissues surrounding the implant are inflamed.
Detecting periimplantitis early when there are no symptoms yet can help patients prevent tooth bone loss.
2
There have been promising studies on chairside tests that measure the amount of glucose in the saliva. Studies have shown that high levels of glucose in saliva are correlated with diabetes.3 The test can help dentists identify patients who may be at risk for diabetes and refer them to a physician for further evaluation. Researchers have suggested that some groups of patients with diabetes, such as children, elderly, debilitated or critically ill patients, might find it easier to monitor their glucose levels using a saliva test. 4
While more studies are being done on chairside saliva screening for diabetes, scientists continue to explore the use of saliva tests for other conditions and diseases such as oral cancer and Crohn’s disease.5 The possibilities for more early intervention await.
Dr. Diana Do-Yabut, DDS is a multi-practice owner and Regional Clinical Partner for PDS Health in Louisiana. With nearly 20 years of experience, she is a member of the National Clinical Council and a passionate mentor, championing integrated care and the Mouth-Body Connection® through advanced technology and patient-centered practices .
Give Water, Give Health Smile STORIES
Over 700 million people around the world live without access to clean water. That impacts their health and a lot more.
So, we’re partnering with charity: water to provide clean, safe water to people in Ethiopia—and 100% of every dollar donated will go toward clean water projects. Please join us in building a brighter, healthier future for all.
What WHEN ANXIETY meets the MOUTH
By Dr. Karim Zaklama, DDS
The mouth usually isn’t an obvious place to look for signs of an anxiety disorder. Yet, it’s where many symptoms manifest—
from chipped and fractured teeth to frequent canker sores. These conditions are examples of the correlation between anxiety and the health of the mouth, a link that isn’t as widely known as it should be.
National health surveys estimate that more than 31% of teens and adults experience an anxiety disorder at some time in their lives.1 These include generalized anxiety disorder (persistent or excessive worry), phobias, social anxiety disorder, separation anxiety disorder, panic disorder, agoraphobia (fear of being in situations where help or escape is perceived as difficult), and selective mutism (inability to speak in some social situations). 2
Here are ways in which their anxiety disorder can impact oral health:
CANKER SORES: These white, yellow or gray ulcers can appear temporarily on the inside of the lips, below the gums, on the roof and walls of the mouth. They can be uncomfortable and can last from a week to several weeks. Stress and anxiety can trigger the appearance of canker sores, but researchers have yet to determine how or why that happens.4
LICHEN PLANUS: This a chronic inflammatory condition features white lacy lines and red areas on the gums, tongue and inside the cheek. Experts theorize that it appears due to a combination of factors, including genetic predisposition and anxiety.5
BURNING
MOUTH SYNDROME:
This causes a persistent burning and scalding sensation on the gums, tongue, inside the cheeks, or roof of the mouth. Although linked to anxiety, its development isn’t fully understood.6,7
BRUXISM: Grinding or clenching one’s teeth. This doesn't cause serious complications for most people, but in severe cases, it can damage teeth, fillings and crowns. Its cause is unknown and a combination of physical, mental health and genetic factors may play a role.3
Sometimes, anxiety can lead to neglect of daily oral care, like brushing and flossing, which increases the risk of gum disease and caries.
If you’re dealing with an anxiety disorder, informing your dentist about your condition—as well as any medications you’re taking—is a crucial step in maintaining oral health. This enables your oral healthcare team to address the impact during dental visits and even work in tandem with mental healthcare professionals to provide holistic care for both your mouth and mind.
Dr. Karim Zaklama, DDS is a multi-practice owner, Regional Clinical Partner, and member of the National Clinical Council at PDS Health.
Happier Healthier Healthi Generations Smiles of
Generation Magazine
DO
Smile Generation exists to connect you with trusted dentists in your area and to offer education on the critical link between oral and overall health. We’d love to know what you think of our magazine.
HealthiSources
The Future of Oral Health Technology – And What It Means for Brain Health
1. Oral Health as a Risk Factor for Alzheimer’s Disease, NIH, National Center for Biotechnology Information
2. Oral Health as a Risk Factor for Alzheimer’s Disease, NIH, National Center for Biotechnology Information
Can
Your Retainer
Track
Your
Dementia Risk? The Future of Oral Health and Brain Health Technology
1. Accuracy and reliability of accelerometer-based pedometers in step counts during walking, running, and stair climbing in different locations of attachment
2. A scoping review on advancements in noninvasive wearable technology for heart failure management
3. In-depth correlation analysis between tear glucose and blood glucose using a wireless smart contact lens
4. Wearable Orofacial Technology and Orthodontics
5. Oral Appliances for Sleep Apnea
6. Lack of sleep in middle age may increase dementia risk
7. Undiagnosed and untreated sleep disorders: Barriers to care
8. Mouth-Body Connection
9. Gum disease and the connection to heart disease
10. Gum Disease and Alzheimer’s Disease (A New Link Found)
11. Oral Health Problems May Raise Cancer Risk
12. FDA Clears First Oral Appliance for Severe Sleep Apnea
13. Tooth loss in older adults linked to higher risk of dementia
14. A Wearable Cellulose Acetate-Coated Mouthguard Biosensor for In Vivo Salivary Glucose Measurement
15. Diabetes and the risk of dementia
In the Spotlight: The Secrets of Saliva
1. OralFitnessCheck, Dento
2. “Oral Fluid Biomarkers for Peri-Implantitis: A Scoping Review,” International Dental Journal, December 8, 2023
3. “Chair-side saliva diagnostic tests: An evaluation tool for xerostomia and caries risk assessment in children with type 1 diabetes,” Journal of Dentistry, February 2020
4. “Correlation of salivary glucose level with blood glucose level in diabetes mellitus,” Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Sep–Dec 2017
5. “Salivary Biomarkers for Diagnosis of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: A Systematic Review,” International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Oct. 10, 2020
When Anxiety Meets the Mouth
1. Statistics on Anxiety Disorder, National Institute of Mental Health
2. “The oral health of people with anxiety and depressive disorders – a systematic review and meta-analysis,” Journal of Affective Disorders, August 2016
3. Mayo Clinic, Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)
4. Cleveland Clinic, Canker Sores
5. “A Case Series of Psychological Stress Evaluation as a Risk Factor for Oral Lichen Planus,” Case Reports in Dentistry, October 2022
6. Mayo Clinic, Burning Mouth Syndrome
7. “Analysis of pain prognosis, medication efficacy, treatment willingness and influencing factors in patients with burning mouth syndrome: a cross-sectional survey,” BMC Oral Health, February 2025
Additional information
8. “The correlation between sleep bruxism, salivary cortisol, and psychological status in young, Caucasian healthy adults,” The Journal of Craniomandibular & Sleep Practice, May 2019
