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A special sensor on your teeth will allow you to take control of your body
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
A miniature sensor “glued” to a tooth will be able to store information about calories, the amount of salt and sugar in the diet, and the amount of alcohol a person has consumed. A working group representing the Department of Biomedicine and Engineering at Tufts University has created such an innovation.
The specific sensor is really very small – about 2 mm. It does not need wires to work: it has three functional layers that can analyze the composition of food entering the human oral cavity. The received data is transmitted to any selected device – for example, a computer or smartphone.
The sensor has special functional layers: the middle one acts as a “collector” of material for analysis, and a pair of outer layers are the receiver and transmitter of information. Any change in the salt concentration, sugar or alcohol level causes a change in the conductivity of the middle layer, which affects the frequency and duration of the wave sent by the device. These changes are taken into account by the algorithm of the receiving device, which determines that certain substances have come into contact with the sensor.
The use of a dental sticker is not being tested for the first time. Four years ago, scientists tried to build a similar mechanism using acoustic sensors and an algorithm – that is, the device determined the type and volume of food by the sounds that occurred during chewing. Such a device looked like an earphone.
After the new test, experts noted that the dental sensor turned out to be much more convenient, compact and functional.
It is no secret that many people sooner or later have to think about their diet and lifestyle: problems with extra pounds, premature aging, health problems force people to resort to various methods of monitoring their habits. The newly developed sensor can become a real salvation for many patients suffering from obesity, diabetes, hypertension, alcohol addiction. Meanwhile, people will be able to improve their nutrition not through strict exhausting diets that involve a sharp restriction of the body in all "joys". The "dental" sensor will only allow you to adhere to a number of rules, which is within the power of every patient.
Scientists are already preparing a new development for clinical trials - first of all, the device will be aimed at helping people suffering from excess weight. The sensor has no analogues on the world market, and can track a person's entire daily diet with 100% accuracy.
The cost of the new device, as well as the conditions under which it can be purchased - such information was not announced by experts.
Details can be found on the pages of the Advanced Materials journal, as well as on the website techxplore.com/news/2018-03-scientists-tiny-tooth-mounted-sensors-track.html
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