Scientists from the University of Washington have developed a lozenge that supposedly has the potential to repair our tooth enamel and even whiten teeth over time. Clinical trials are due to be launched soon, in a development that could improve oral health enormously.
The majority of us will admit to having a sweet tooth. Chocolate, candy, fizzy drinks – they taste good; but their high sugar content comes at a cost – with significant harm being done to our teeth whenever they are consumed.
But in an exciting development, scientists from the University of Washington have potentially found that a specially-designed lozenge – similar to a mint – could actually regrow our enamel.
In the past, the focus has always been on preserving enamel, rather than restoring it. Scientists and researchers have spent decades trying to find a way of restoring enamel [1], which would have a huge benefit on the world’s oral health.
Enamel is the hard surface of a tooth that gradually wears down over time when exposed to sugary foods and drinks and harmful bacteria. When it wears down, it exposes dentine – which is yellow in colour.
The University of Washington’s Research
Scientists from the University of Washington recently provided a press release which provided key information on their plans and their discovery [2]. This work has been going on for several months.
The scientists have said that they have developed an experimental lozenge that has the potential to regrow teeth enamel, strengthen our teeth and even whiten them at the same time!
So how does it work? The lozenges are coated with a genetically-engineered peptide. In easier to understand language, this is essentially a mint coated with a specially-designed protein building block.
The idea is that these building blocks will bind to the user’s teeth, which will involve a tiny layer of fresh enamel being added to the teeth. Over time, this will allow tooth enamel to regrow.
The peptide used comes from something called amelogenin, which is an important protein in teeth enamel. Phosphorus and calcium ions are also ingredients within the lozenge.
Researchers have suggested that two lozenges a day can rebuild enamel, while one per day can enable a healthy layer of enamel to be maintained. The researchers have suggested the lozenge will be suitable for both adults and adolescents.
Tooth whitening benefits
One of the most exciting parts of this news is that these lozenges would help to whiten our teeth. We all aspire to have pearly white teeth, though this is something that in the modern age is hard to maintain naturally.
Many people resort to purchasing teeth whitening strips in an effort to whiten their teeth. While this can work effectively, in some cases these whitening strips can actually do more harm than good [3].
One of the most important things when considering cosmetic dental work is to use a reputable provider that meets all relevant safety regulations. There is significant hope in the future that these lozenges will be able to whiten teeth.
But in the meantime, here at Savanna Dental, we offer a range of cosmetic dentistry treatments, including professional teeth whitening! Whitened teeth can be achieved in just one visit, providing effective results.
Dental veneers and dental bonding are two other options that can improve the appearance of our teeth. These are other cosmetic treatments that we provide at our Calgary-based dental clinic Savanna Dental.
Will the lozenges work?
Currently, it is too early to state whether or not these lozenges will be effective. While this is certainly an exciting development, this is far from the first time a “miracle solution” in dentistry has been promoted [4].
The next step is for clinical trials to be held. They will be launched soon as a way of testing out the lozenges in a real-life situation. This will take time, but hopefully the results will be positive.
Researchers have tested the lozenge with success on extracted human teeth and live rats and mice.
While the lozenges are the current focus of scientists – the long-term plan is to create a toothpaste for over-the-counter use, and potentially a gel. But there is no clear timetable on this.
The potential of this development is enormous, with poor oral health resulting in gum disease, tooth decay and bad breath. Poor oral health continues to be a big problem around the world, with research showing that approximately 90% of the world’s population has some form of periodontal disease [5].
What should we do for our oral health?
The most important thing we can do for our dental health is to attend regular check-ups. The earlier that problems are detected, the higher chance of treatment not becoming too complex.
When left untreated, what can start as a cavity that requires a standard filling can turn into a more complicated problem, which may require a more complex procedure like a root canal.
It is therefore important to adopt strong oral health, which involves brushing our teeth at least twice a day, flossing regularly and making healthy decisions in our personal lives such as avoiding smoking and limiting alcohol intake.
Our diet is also important. We recently discussed on our blog about the link between a deficiency in Vitamin C and gum disease(click here to read more)– which highlights the importance of a nutritious and balanced diet.
What we offer at Savanna Dental
We have a dental clinic in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Here at Savanna Dental, we provide our patients with a comfortable and caring environment. We recommend that our patients attend check-ups approximately once every six months.
We provide a range of services for when treatment is required after a regular check-up. In each case, we provide personalised advice to each patient, and ensure we provide them with treatment that fits their individual circumstances.
Here at Savanna Dental, we adhere to the Alberta Dental Fee Guide, which allows us to provide affordable care to our patients across our wide range of services.
Summary
Dentistry continues to made great strides in research, and this latest development certainly has the potential to dramatically improve oral health for people all over the world.
But it is important to remember that having strong oral hygiene is the best course of action to take, regardless of any future developments.
We recommend that you take a look at our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca where you can find out more information about us and the services we offer at our Calgary dental clinic.
- [1] Seow, W. (2014), Developmental defects of enamel and dentine: challenges for basic science research and clinical management. Australian Dental Journal. 59 (1), p143-154.
- [2] University of Washington. (2021). Trials begin on lozenge that rebuilds tooth enamel. Available: https://dental.washington.edu/trials-begin-on-lozenge-that-rebuilds-tooth-enamel/. Last accessed: 11th June 2021.
- [3] Gookay, O., Mujdeci, A.,& Algin, E. (2004). Perooxide Penetration into the Pulp from from Whitening Strips. Journal of Endontics. 30 (12), p887-889.
- [4] Washington Post. (1993). This Chewing Gum helps repair teeth. Available: https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/wellness/1993/03/30/this-chewing-gum-helps-repair-teeth/5ad7c7d3-3753-4aaa-bc3e-8874857a4537/. Last accessed: 12th June 2021.
- [5] Pihlstrom, B. L., Michalowicz, B. S., & Johnson, N. W. (2005). Periodontal diseases. Lancet. 366 (9499), p1809-1820.
