A NEW mouthwash that uses the body’s own immune system could be the key to fighting gum disease, scientists say.
The dental product helps reduce periodontitis — which can increase the risk of deadly heart attacks or strokes by two to three times.
The mouthwash uses a similar approach to some cancer therapies, targeting white blood cells instead of the bacteria that causes gum disease itself.
They aimed to turn the cells that cause disease-causing inflammation into “pro-healing” cells instead, researchers said.
Dr Zoltan Geczi, assistant professor at Semmelweis University, said: “Rather than targeting the bacteria causing the inflammation, we used the body’s own immune cells to manage it.
“Laboratory trials are ongoing. When the product is ready — in the form of mouthwash or gel — it will be applied locally in the oral cavity directly to the inflamed areas.”
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Periodontitis affects around 45 per cent of Brits, with one in 10 having the most severe kind that can lead to tooth loss.
When the teeth are not cleaned properly, food gets trapped in the spaces in between and a layer of film builds up.
Over time this plaque hardens and irritates the surrounding gum tissue if not removed.
Early stages are normally treated by improving brushing techniques, while a hygienist can remove plaque build-ups using specialist equipment.
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But it can cause serious problems in the longer term if treatment is unsuccessful.
Previous studies have shown periodontitis can increase the risk of heart disease because long-term inflammation caused by the bacteria in the mouth can also impact the heart.
The new mouthwash has been developed to target the cells that cause this inflammation.
It contains folic acid and silver, which, when used together, can help transform the cells in a process called the “trojan horse mechanism”.
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