Researchers Invent 'Magical' Cure For Cavities
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If you have ever had the misfortune of being under the dentist's drill for a cavity filling, you know how awful the experience is. Now, a team of researchers from the University of Leeds has come up with an ingenious treatment that not only keeps the drill at bay, but also, helps re-generate your pearly whites so that they look like new again!
The radical treatment is the brainchild of a team of scientists led by Jennifer Kirkham at the University's School of Chemistry. It involves applying a peptide or mixture of amino acids they call P 11-4 to the area of the tooth that is showing early signs of decay. The fluid seeps into the micro pores formed by the acid from the bacteria that is causing the decay and forms a protective gel. This gel in turn provides a base or framework for the tooth to attract calcium and repair the damage - Totally pain-free!
While it sounds almost magical, the researchers maintain that the solution has not only been successful in the laboratory, but also, on a small group of adults whose teeth were showing initial signs of decay.
However, before you head for the candy jar, bear in mind that the researchers still have to conduct the tests on a larger group of people, which means that it will take at least another three years before your dentist can toss the drill and re-create your pearly whites with this magical solution.
Resources: gizmag.com, leeds.ac.uk
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177 Comments
- trinidyover 13 yearsi think docters are making teeth better and you can make your teeth better to by going to the denist so you can make your teeth better to.
- Linzeeover 13 yearsI never had a cavity, and I always thought it would hurt, but I guess I was wrong.
- ellaover 13 yearsi think that was very interesting and cool because a lot of my friends have cavitys and it looks like it really hurt to get a filling and this seems like its quick and painful.
- Kate C.over 13 yearsI would recomend this article to anyone who loves experiments and brushing your teeth.
- Kate C.over 13 yearsI think that is unbelievably smart of scientists to find out a way to cure cavities other than that scary drill and the needles. I have been experienced with 3 cavities in my life, with all those needles, drills, and high-pitched screeching. Even though my hobby for brushing my teeth, it kills me to think about the cavitys I might get ( Probaly not). I love this article because in a couple of years, the next time I get a cavity ( Yeah right) the dentist will be able to toss the drill and needles, and give me their magic soulution.
- Brendon Pover 13 yearsI think it is great that they try to find a new way of fixing the decay of teeth .If I ever got a cavity I wouldn't like the dentist to drill my tooth I would rather have this new treatment.It would be less painful and maybe even cheaper.I hope this treatment would be used by dentist pretty soon.It doesn't seem very complicated, the researchers just have to find out if it works.
- Nikola P.over 13 yearsI really liked that article because there is a less painful way of curing cavities. Also , I can't wait until the three years go by.My little sister is very scared of the dentist so this is a very good way of curing my sister's cavities. I would recommend this to a friend because this is a very interesting article about the less painful way of curing cavites.
mrsmccarthyalmost 14 yearsThat's Amazing! No more drill, no more pain. Now I can be excited to go to the dentist because it is pain free!- Vincent Walmost 14 yearsI don't get why people think those drills are deadly its just a small drill
vipersalmost 14 yearsnever had a cavity for 13 years soo idk how it feels like