Continuous real-time pH monitoring with an intraoral sensor wearable: A clinical pilot trial

This prospective clinical pilot trial aims to assess the feasibility and clinical applicability of a wireless intraoral pH sensor appliance for continuous real-time monitoring. Ten participants wore a custom-fitted intraoral pH sensor appliance over two monitoring periods of 48 and 14 hours respectively. Continuous pH data was measured and recorded. In the second measurement period data could be visualized real-time on a smartphone. Participants maintained a healthy intraoral pH (>6.6) for approximately half the monitoring duration (48.4%). A moderately acidic (5.9–6.6) environment was detected for 35.4%, and a highly acidic (<5.9) environment for 16.2% of the observation time. The median pH value across both visits was 6.57 (IQR:1.02). Diurnal variations showed lower daytime (median 6.65, IQR: 1.00) compared to nighttime acidity (median 6.21, IQR: 0.97), with clear pH fluctuations linked to dietary intake and resting periods. The wireless intraoral pH sensor wearable enabled continuous monitoring, providing reliable data on pH variations within the oral cavity over a 48-hour period. The trial serves as a foundational step toward the broader clinical implementation of wearable intraoral pH sensors and real-time monitoring devices and highlights the potential of future diagnostic and therapeutic applications.