NEW FEATURE: the detection of gnashing teeth, an additional advance in the personalization of care

In medical and social institutions, detecting signs of discomfort or pain beyond verbal expressions is an essential mission for caregivers.

With the addition of tooth grinding (or bruxism) detection, an alert developed in collaboration with teams from the EVC unit at the Michel Perret hospital in Tullins, OSO-AI continues to innovate in response to the specific needs of the elderly and disabled.

Understanding the causes and impacts of Bruxism

Squeaking can occur at any age and for a number of reasons, including:

• Stress and anxiety, common in contexts of emotional or physical discomfort.
• Mood disorders, often found in elderly people or people with disabilities.
• Jaw problems, such as joint imbalances or occlusion disorders.
• Sleep disorders, including sleep apnea

This last point is particularly important for OSO-AI, which places sleep apnea at the heart of its R&D, in collaboration with the AP-HP. Bruxism as a sign of discomfort or pain, plays a key role in the interpretation and personalization of care, one of the main advantages of the Augmented Ear of caregivers.

Why is detection critical?

For residents who struggle to verbalize their pain or discomfort, Bruxism can be a indirect signal revealing physical or emotional discomfort. Its impacts, although silent, are significant:

• Joint and muscle pain, which can affect daily life and lead to hypertrophy of the jaw muscles.
• Accelerated tooth wear, with consequences for oral health.
• Sleep disturbances, worsening fatigue, irritability, and overall quality of life.

Proactive technology for optimal care

Thanks to our sound analysis system, caregivers are informed in real time when a resident shows signs of Bruxism. This makes it possible to:

• Detecting weak signals, often imperceptible otherwise.
• Intervene quickly, for example by offering devices such as dental aligners or by adapting care.
• Understand and anticipate the needs of residents, in particular by identifying trigger factors such as stress or underlying disorders.

Some research, in particular that of Lucette Agostini, has even highlighted a potential link between Bruxism and the development of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, which reinforces the importance of early detection.

Added value for institutions

By adding to other features already available (detection of falls, distress, vomiting...), the detection of Bruxism reinforces the role of our solution as a global tool for safety and well-being.

In addition, our collaboration with the APHP on sleep disorders, such as apnea, opens up promising perspectives. These advances could, in the long run, further expand the benefits of our solution for residents and health care teams.