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A pain free visit to the dentist, can this be true?
UK researchers have discovered a pioneering pain-free way of tackling dental decay that reverses the damage of acid attack and rebuilds teeth as new.
The team's solution is to arm dentists with a peptide-based fluid that is literally painted onto the tooth's surface. The peptide technology is based on knowledge of how the tooth forms in the first place and stimulates regeneration of the tooth defect.
It contains a peptide known as P 11-4 that under certain conditions will assemble together into fibres. In practice, this means that when applied to the tooth, the fluid seeps into the micro-pores caused by acid attack and then spontaneously forms a gel. This gel then provides a 'scaffold' or framework that attracts calcium and regenerates the tooth's mineral from within, providing a natural and pain-free repair.
Professor Jennifer Kirkham, of the University of Leeds Dental Institute, who led development of the new technique, says: "'This may sound too good to be true, but we are essentially helping acid-damaged teeth to regenerate themselves. It is a totally natural non-surgical repair process and is entirely pain-free, too."
Flame Health think this is a great way to tackle acid attack. Most people fear the dentist because of the possible pain issue. So taking this pain away sounds fantastic!