All of us human have teeth and not just a few, but a whole bunch of 32 teeth. The only problem with your teeth is a health issue, right? Unfortunately, dental care in many parts of the world is so expensive that many people would prefer to lose a tooth rather than going to a dentist. It may be preventable, but more than half of the world population is dealing with this issue of tooth decay. A team of scientists is working on a vaccine that can solve half of our life problems simply by preventing tooth decay.
The vaccine called ‘The Jab’ was developed by researchers from the China-based Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIOV). The vaccine not only prevents tooth decay but also reverses the damage that has been caused already. The team made it happen by extracting proteins from bacteria strains of E. coli and joining them with other proteins from Streptococcus mutans bacteria that causes the cavities in the teeth. The active ingredient comes from flagella protein cells. This mix of proteins was tested as a nasal spray on rodents.
The team found the spray to be 64.2 percent effective in cleaning the teeth and 53.9 percent effective in tooth decay reversal. The scientists say that more clinical testing is required to improve the effectiveness of the vaccine.
Dental care professionals have reported mixed results for the efficiency of the vaccine, and they suggest its use along with regular dental care. Dr. Rob Wain, Medical Director of Newcastle’s Dovetail Dental in England, commented,
“For now, it’s best to stick to the proven methods of reducing our risk of tooth decay.This sort of vaccine has always been seen as a sort of dental Holy Grail, as it can help reduce pain and suffering for millions.”
The costs for dental care vary tremendously from one place to another. Richard Lloyd, Executive Director of the National Health Service (NHS) of England, explains,
“A visit to the dentist is an essential health check for millions of people across the country. Most of us will need dental treatment throughout our lives, and it’s important that when that happens, people feel clear about the nature of the treatment and what it will cost upfront.”
We can not predict how and when this newly developed vaccine will change dental care for us until it passes clinical trials and reaches the market. We sure do look forward to it!