OraStrip Dental Diagnostic Test directly measures the concentration of thiols in canine saliva from the gingival margin. Thiols measured by OraStrip Dental Diagnostic Test provide a direct indication of the severity of active periodontal infection. Regular use of OraStrip Dental Diagnostic Test as part of routine patient work-up has been shown to detect and monitor underlying active periodontal disease. Clinical data have associated low strip values with healthy periodontal status and the absence of periodontal infection.

In dogs, active periodontal disease involves infection of the gums by anaerobic microorganisms including those from the general Porphyromonas (such as P. gingivalis) and Treponema (such as T. denticola). When such microbes are present within subgingival biofilms, they are known to produce large quantities of metabolic products called thiols that can disrupt gum tissue and destroy healthy bone by inducing bone loss. Thiols disrupt epithelial integrity; cause death of gingival epithelial cells through apoptosis; and induce bone loss through stimulation of osteoclasts and inhibition of osteoblasts.

In dogs, periodontal disease is associated with adverse systemic outcomes, as well as with hepatic, renal, and cardiovascular lesions.