Catch the enzyme: Russian scientists have created a "smart" chewing gum to protect against tooth decay

Russian scientists have presented an innovative solution in the field of personal oral hygiene that can radically change approaches to the prevention of dental diseases. Sechenov University specialists have created a "smart" chewing gum with a unique enzymatic complex that not only cleanses the enamel, but also forms a long-lasting protective barrier against bacteria that cause tooth decay. The development surpasses well-known foreign analogues, and in the future, according to the idea of young scientists, it will be able to replace full-fledged brushing of teeth. Whether dentists agree with this and how realistic such expectations are can be found in the Izvestia article.

Smart gum for caries control

Chewing gum with a unique enzymatic composition was created by a team of young scientists from the Borovsky Institute of Dentistry at Sechenov University. The new product not only refreshes the breath, but also purposefully fights caries-causing bacteria, dissolves plaque and strengthens enamel, the developers told Izvestia. They are confident that it can change the culture of oral hygiene and significantly reduce the risk of caries and other diseases of teeth and gums.

The main problem that smart chewing gum solves is the lack of oral care after each meal.

"As a rule, people brush their teeth twice a day, but leftovers remain on the enamel for hours during the day, fermented by bacteria, provoking the development of caries and other diseases," explained Andrey Galkin, founder of the startup, a fourth—year student at the E. V. Borovsky Institute of Dentistry. — Our team of dentists and pharmaceutical technologists has figured out how to make prevention a pleasant habit so that people want to do it themselves. We have developed a special composition with an enzyme complex for care, and it is currently undergoing patenting. This composition is included in our chewing gum.

The unique effect of the product is that when chewing, the enzyme system dissolves the soft plaque and turns it into an antibacterial substance. The synergy of enzymes and a special protein destroys caries-causing bacteria, and the calcium in the composition strengthens the enamel. Another advantage of the product is its cumulative effect: with regular use, enzymes linger in the surface layer of the tooth, increasing resistance to caries even after a break in use.

Scientists believe that their solution surpasses all those enzyme products that are available on the domestic and foreign markets. The closest analogue, according to the developers, contains fewer active ingredients and at the same time costs twice as much.

The project of young scientists of Sechenov University has already become a resident of Skolkovo and the Moscow Innovation Cluster. The team is currently awaiting the supply of raw materials for production in Russia, after which the product will be launched on the market. At the same time, experts warn that their chewing gum will not yet replace morning and evening brushing. However, they are already working on a next-generation product that can replace traditional hygiene. In the future, the range will expand with functional chewing gum to enhance immunity and quit smoking.

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The trend towards the development of chewing gum and various devices with a good enzymatic composition to improve hygiene and help with oral care is encouraging, but still, one should not forget about the basic principles of daily hygiene, Arevik Aperyan, Chief physician of Atri-Dent Clinic, commented on the development.

— The enzymes included in such chewing gum can reduce the risk of caries between meals by destroying the surface bacterial film and increasing salivation, but only as an addition to good mechanical brushing, daily use of an irrigator and dental floss, — said the doctor.

A hypothetical "miracle gum" with an enzymatic composition can effectively fight caries-causing bacteria. However, it is unable to provide the same degree of cleanliness and prevention that a regular toothbrush, paste and additional products provide, Ekaterina Dzheeva, a dental hygienist at the German Implantology Center, agreed.

— Mechanical cleaning removes plaque, massages the gums, stimulates blood circulation — this cannot be replaced with enzymes, — she explained.

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The advantage of the development is that it not only masks the smell, but really removes plaque and strengthens the enamel with calcium, said Gulnaz Khaliullina, a doctor at the University Dentistry clinic. If studies confirm all the claimed properties, the product can become an effective means of preventing caries.

"But the brush and paste are the base, they clean where the gum just won't reach," she said.

Assessing the potential of an invention, important issues cannot be ignored. Firstly, it is still unclear how the enzymatic composition can affect subsequent sections of the gastrointestinal tract, said Viktor Dvornichenko, an orthopedic dentist at the German Implantology Center.

— Secondly, what are the contraindications and possible consequences for the chewing muscles with regular use, — said the expert.

According to him, while these aspects have not been studied, such novelties should be treated cautiously.