Scientists have pioneered a novel form of dental floss capable of identifying stress levels while also facilitating the surveillance of various health issues, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, and oncology.
Engineers at Tufts University have engineered an innovative tool incorporating customized floss strands that enable precise, instantaneous quantification of cortisol—a key biomarker for stress—directly from oral fluids.
This saliva-responsive floss resembles a standard interdental cleaner, featuring a taut filament bridging a pair of arms. It captures oral secretions via capillary forces within an ultrathin conduit embedded in the filament. The liquid then migrates into the device’s grip and a connected strip, where it disperses over conductive surfaces that register cortisol presence.
Mechanism of Cortisol Detection in the Floss Device
The floss identifies cortisol through embedded sensors employing a longstanding electrochemical method known as electropolymerized molecularly imprinted polymers (eMIPs), first introduced nearly three decades ago.
These polymers function analogously to molding a replica of an object, such as sculpting a mold around a figurine. Here, a synthetic matrix is constructed encasing a representative cortisol unit, which is subsequently extracted, yielding receptive cavities. These cavities retain a structural and molecular imprint of the analyte, allowing selective capture of unbound cortisol variants as they encounter the surface.
The innovation emerged from an interdisciplinary partnership spanning multiple Tufts divisions, focused on exploring the influence of stress and related mental states on cognitive performance and skill acquisition, explained Sameer Sonkusale, a faculty member in electrical and computer engineering.
“Measurement processes shouldn’t exacerbate anxiety, prompting us to explore integration into everyday habits. Given cortisol’s prevalence in oral fluids as a stress indicator, incorporating sampling during oral hygiene routines appeared ideally seamless for routine data collection.”
Effective Application in Longitudinal Health Surveillance
Although the floss-based detector delivers robust quantitative precision, salivary biomarker assessment proves most valuable for ongoing oversight rather than primary disease identification, according to Sonkusale. This stems in part from inherent inter-individual fluctuations in oral analyte concentrations.
“Blood analysis remains the benchmark for confirmatory testing, yet post-diagnosis, for instance in managing cardiac wellness to gauge therapeutic progress, this unobtrusive tracker simplifies continuous evaluation. It empowers prompt adjustments in care strategies, benefiting both practitioners through streamlined follow-up and patients via reduced procedural burden.”
By democratizing access to such user-friendly technology—requiring no specialized expertise—the developers envision embedding stress evaluation into diverse clinical workflows. Efforts are underway to commercialize the invention, potentially transforming proactive health management for dental and medical teams alike.
