Mussel ‘glue’ could stop sensitivity in teeth
Inspired by the way the molluscs attach themselves to wet surfaces, dental researchers have come up with a "glue" to stick minerals back on eroded teeth. The technique could be a potential treatment for sensitive teeth by sealing up exposed dentine tubules that lead to the nerves.
The humble mussel could be responsible for putting smiles back on the faces of those with sensitive teeth.
Up to three-quarters of those who suffer from sensitive teeth have exposed dentine tubules.
Researchers from the University of Hong Kong and the Anhui Medical University coated acid-eroded human teeth with a chemical similar to the protein-based glue that mussels produce to attach themselves to wet, solid surfaces. They then immersed the teeth in a mineral solution and found the "glue" helped in forming mineral crystals on their surface and inner dentine layer.
"In the future, we may develop products with the chemical to be applied on sensitive teeth, or dentists might use it as a treatment," said Dr Cao Ying, a PhD dentistry student at the University of Hong Kong who took part in the study.
The minerals could be supplied from the user's own saliva or via a mouthwash, she said.