A study conducted by a UK university has found that aspirin can effectively reverse tooth decay, which is one of the most common dental diseases worldwide.
The researchers at Queen’s University Belfast, led by principal investigator Dr El Karim, found that aspirin can enhance the function of stem cells found in the teeth thus helping self-repair by regenerating lost tooth structure.
“There is huge potential to change our approach to one of the biggest dental challenges we face. Our initial research findings in the laboratory suggest that the use of aspirin, a drug already licensed for human use, could offer an immediate innovative solution enabling our teeth to repair themselves,” Dr Karim said.
Over the years oral health has become a matter of great concern globally. Oral health is not just about healthy white teeth and a beautiful smile. But it also reflects the overall health of an individual.
Tooth decay leads to the destruction of the tooth structure, formation of cavities and subsequent inflammation of the tooth nerve causing toothache.
Current treatment for tooth decay involves fillings, where dentists restore the cavity or hole using a synthetic material that doesn’t resemble the natural tooth structure and may need to be replaced many times during the life time of the tooth.
The researchers at Queens combined genomics and novel bioinformatics to identify aspirin as a candidate drug with properties that stimulate existing stem cells in the tooth to enhance the regeneration of the damaged tooth structure.
Treatment of stem cells from teeth with low-dose aspirin significantly increased mineralisation and the expression of genes responsible for forming dentine, the hard tooth structure that is usually damaged by decay.
This novel discovery coupled with the known anti-inflammatory and pain relieving effects of aspirin could provide a unique solution for controlling tooth nerve inflammation and pain while promoting natural tooth repair.
The study findings were recently presented at the British Society for Oral and Dental Research Annual Conference, in Plymouth, UK.
UK Research Shows Aspirin can Repair Tooth Decay too
A study conducted by a UK university has found that aspirin can effectively reverse tooth decay, which is one of the most common dental diseases worldwide.
The researchers at Queen’s University Belfast, led by principal investigator Dr El Karim, found that aspirin can enhance the function of stem cells found in the teeth thus helping self-repair by regenerating lost tooth structure.
“There is huge potential to change our approach to one of the biggest dental challenges we face. Our initial research findings in the laboratory suggest that the use of aspirin, a drug already licensed for human use, could offer an immediate innovative solution enabling our teeth to repair themselves,” Dr Karim said.
Over the years oral health has become a matter of great concern globally. Oral health is not just about healthy white teeth and a beautiful smile. But it also reflects the overall health of an individual.
Tooth decay leads to the destruction of the tooth structure, formation of cavities and subsequent inflammation of the tooth nerve causing toothache.
Current treatment for tooth decay involves fillings, where dentists restore the cavity or hole using a synthetic material that doesn’t resemble the natural tooth structure and may need to be replaced many times during the life time of the tooth.
The researchers at Queens combined genomics and novel bioinformatics to identify aspirin as a candidate drug with properties that stimulate existing stem cells in the tooth to enhance the regeneration of the damaged tooth structure.
Treatment of stem cells from teeth with low-dose aspirin significantly increased mineralisation and the expression of genes responsible for forming dentine, the hard tooth structure that is usually damaged by decay.
This novel discovery coupled with the known anti-inflammatory and pain relieving effects of aspirin could provide a unique solution for controlling tooth nerve inflammation and pain while promoting natural tooth repair.
The study findings were recently presented at the British Society for Oral and Dental Research Annual Conference, in Plymouth, UK.
