Continuous Wearable Salivary Biosensors for Real-time Periodontal Inflammation Monitoring

Abstract

Periodontal inflammation remains one of the most prevalent oral health conditions, often progressing silently until significant tissue destruction has occurred. Conventional diagnostic methods rely on periodic clinical examinations, limiting the ability to detect dynamic changes in disease activity. Continuous wearable salivary biosensors represent an emerging approach that enables real-time, non-invasive monitoring of inflammatory biomarkers directly from saliva. These wearable devices integrate advanced biosensing technologies with miniaturized electronics to continuously measure biochemical indicators associated with periodontal disease, providing immediate insights into disease progression and treatment response. The incorporation of flexible materials, wireless communication, and portable analytical platforms allows seamless data acquisition and transmission, supporting personalized oral healthcare and remote patient monitoring. Continuous assessment of salivary biomarkers may facilitate earlier intervention, improve treatment planning, enhance patient compliance, and reduce the long-term burden of periodontal disease. Furthermore, integration with digital health systems and artificial intelligence-based analytical tools has the potential to improve diagnostic accuracy and support predictive disease management. Although technical challenges such as sensor stability, biomarker variability, and regulatory considerations remain, ongoing advances in wearable biosensor design continue to improve clinical feasibility. Continuous wearable salivary biosensors therefore represent a promising innovation for precision periodontology, offering a practical strategy for early detection, continuous disease surveillance, and individualized management of periodontal inflammation.