Researchers at University of Washington Developed New Cure for Cavity

Cavities or dental caries is a disease that damage the area of teeth and in many occasions  creating a hole. The disease which can be traced to oral bacteria, snacking, poor teeth cleaning and sipping of sugary drinks affects all age group.

The good news about this disease is, a team of researchers from University of Washington has developed new and natural treatment for it.

The team led by a Professor of Material Science and Engineering, University of Washington, Dr. Mehmet Sarikaya has developed a method by which tooth enamel could be rebuild with potential to cure cavities in their early stages.

A publication by the university explain that the team create a product that remineralises teeth and adding new layer of enamel.

Associate Professor of Restorations Dentistry Sami Dogan, a member of the research team explained the origin of many of the dental ailments by saying, "oral bacteria eat sugars and excrete lactic acid. Acid as a byproduct will demineralised the dental enamel which lead to many of the dental ailments,"

"By capturing the essence of amelogenin — a protein crucial to forming the hard crown enamel — the researchers were able to design a new product using peptides, chains of amino acids that will bind onto tooth surfaces, recruit calcium and phosphate ions, and restore the mineral structure found in native tooth enamel."

The new cure is said to be more effective than the traditional use of flouride toothpaste and mouthwash in rebuilding and strengthing enamel. The scientist believe it could be used in over-the-counter and chemical product as a safe, cost effective alternative to existing dental procedures and treatment especially for repairing early stage cavities.