German Oral Health Foundation
Paediatrics
Your chance for healthy teeth and a strong immune system for your child
At the German Oral Health Foundation (DMS), we want to accompany you and your children on your journey to a healthier, fitter life. Personalised prevention using functional biomarkers such as aMMP-8 plays a key role in this. Your child's oral health affects not only their teeth and gums, but also their growth, immune system and overall development. So have your child's aMMP-8 level tested now – at your specialist practice or at any OralFitness® dental centre.
The aMMP-8 saliva screening
The aMMP-8 saliva screening measures the destruction of the extracellular matrix¹ and collagenolysis² in real time. Collagen is the most common structural protein in the human body. It strengthens the oral immune barrier by giving the oral mucosa structure and stability, thus making it more difficult for pathogens to penetrate. Damage to the oral mucosa allows inflammation and pathogens to enter the bloodstream, promoting systemic diseases. This is why prevention is so effective.
¹ Network of proteins and sugar molecules between cells that gives tissue support, structure and stability.
² Breakdown of collagen fibres
³ This content is taken from Consensus Paper 25/2026 of the Health Senate of the DMS
Children and adolescents can also develop gum inflammation – often without any symptoms. If the inflammation is not detected, it can affect other areas of the body: weakening the immune system, disrupting wound healing and influencing growth processes. Self-confidence can also suffer: bad breath or bleeding gums are unpleasant – but the cause often goes unnoticed. With the aMMP-8 test, you can take early action without causing damage.
What are the benefits of the aMMP-8 test for your child?
When should the test be performed?
- for bleeding gums, redness or bad breath
- in chronic diseases (e.g. diabetes, autoimmune diseases, obesity)
- during puberty or growth spurts
- before orthodontic treatment
- as part of preventive medical check-ups or school screenings
How does the test work?
The aMMP-8 test is quick, painless and does not require a blood sample. It is simply a saliva test – convenient and simple, carried out at the specialist's surgery. If the results are abnormal, a referral to a dentist is recommended. The test opens up new perspectives for interdisciplinary, personalised inflammatory medicine.
Our recommendation for you
Talk to your dentist or specialist. We are happy to provide your dental practice with an aMMP-8 test free of charge*. If you are interested, please register here, tell us the name of your dental practice, and we will send the test directly to your dentist:
Visit one of our certified practices, which you can find in our practice finder: