Enamel is the hard, mineralized substance that surrounds each tooth in your mouth. This protective coating is not made of living cells; so, once it’s gone, your body doesn’t replenish it. Therefore, it’s crucial to protect, strengthen, and improve enamel – doing so will prevent tooth decay.
With this in mind, scientists from the University of Washington (UW) have developed a lozenge, similar to a breath mint, that could regrow your tooth enamel and strengthen your teeth.
New Lozenges
The UW team is preparing to launch clinical trials to test out these great lozenges. According to the university’s press release, the lozenges are coated with genetically engineered protein building blocks which are expected to bind to the user’s teeth and add a layer of new enamel. If all goes well and the trials succeed, it could be the first treatment that regrows enamel rather than just preserving and repairing it.
The researchers have already conducted preclinical work, which involved testing the mints on teeth extracted from rats, pigs, humans, and live rats. The results showed that one mint daily should be sufficient to maintain tooth enamel when exposed to normal wear and tear. Meanwhile, a second daily mint could potentially reintroduce a few micrometers of new enamel to the teeth, reversing the damage.
However, whether these facts prove to be true depends on the upcoming clinical trials. “Each study will take two weeks, and we expect these trials to take no more than three months,” said Dr. Sami Dogan from the Department of Restorative Dentistry at the University of Washington.
Hypersensitive Teeth
In addition, the UW researchers are looking into making a gel or solution with the engineered peptide to treat hypersensitive teeth. This condition is caused by weakened enamel, making the underlying dentin and nerves more susceptible to cold or heat.
While some products are currently on the market that can put a layer of organic material on the tooth and numb nerve endings with potassium nitrate – the relief is temporary. However, the peptide addresses the problem permanently at its source by strengthening the enamel.
Enamel Restoration
Suppose the lozenges— and the gels and toothpaste that the team plans to develop next — work as described. In that case, they will represent a massive leap forward in dental care and maintenance because they would progress from enamel preservation to enamel restoration.
It’s important to note that whitening strips and bleaches designed to make teeth look healthier can damage enamel and expose the underlying, yellowish dentin layer. Furthermore, simply regrowing new, healthy enamel would vastly improve dental health and reshape the dentistry field.
In 2019, scientists from China’s Zhejiang University and Jiujiang Research Institute developed a gel that helped mouse teeth regrow enamel within 48 hours. The research was published in Science Advances.
What You Eat Improves or Damages Tooth Enamel
It’s essential to be aware of the drinks and foods you consume because they can protect or damage enamel. For example, Acidic foods, like citrus fruits and sodas, soften the enamel surrounding your teeth. On the other hand, chewing ice or eating hard candies can cause the tooth enamel to chip or crack, exposing the tooth’s surface below to decay-causing elements. To ensure that your enamel stays healthy and strong, you should get deep teeth cleaning at a general dentist in Massapequa.
In contrast, cheese and celery promote healthy saliva flow in your mouth. Saliva contains loads of minerals and vitamins such as calcium; thus, it returns these minerals into the mouth and strengthens tooth enamel. In addition, it also prevents the bacteria in your mouth from creating acid, further improving enamel.
