‘Artificial Tongue’ May Ease Dental Diagnoses

Researchers have developed a solution for diagnosing and treating oral bacterial infections using a chemical sensor array, dubbed an “artificial tongue.” Published in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, the study introduces a cost-effective alternative to traditional identification methods. The research, conducted in China, focuses on nanozyme-coated iron oxide particles, which, when combined with hydrogen peroxide and an indicator, produce a distinct color change. Bacteria binding to the DNA-coated nanozymes reduce their reactivity, enabling the identification of specific bacterial strains based on color signals. The sensor array accurately identified 11 oral bacteria species in artificial saliva samples. Notably, the nanozyme system also exhibited antibacterial properties, effectively inactivating three bacterial species, possibly by destroying bacterial membranes. This approach holds promise for rapid, cost-effective diagnosis and treatment of dental diseases. Click here to read more.