New teeth gel heralded by scientists

The scientific community is championing a new dental gel for teeth. The product is said to help restore and regenerate enamel.

A global team of researchers based at Nottingham University have been looking at new ways of strengthening enamel and fighting tooth decay. In their findings, published in the Nature Communications journal, they concluded that the gel presents exciting new possibilities for dental treatment.

What is the gel and how does it work?

The substance is protein-based and works by simulating the development of enamel in children. The team said that it acts as a ‘scaffold’ for the calcium and phosphate ions found in oral saliva.

The issue of enamel degradation is a global concern. The World Health Organisation claims that approximately 3.7 billion people suffer some form of oral disease. Symptoms include infections, increased sensitivity and tooth loss. These are often associated with conditions like cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Fluoride can help relieve symptoms, but enamel has never been able to regenerate naturally – until now, it appears.

Professor Alvaro Mata is a specialist in biomedical engineering and biomaterials. He led the study and concluded the new gel could be quickly and easily administered. He hopes to get the product to market in 2026.

For many dental materials scientists, regenerative enamel has been a ‘holy grail’ for years, and it is hoped this pioneering research will help patients around the world.

If you are looking for a dentist in Chester and want to find out more about how you can protect your teeth enamel, set up an appointment now with our team at Art of Dental Care.