Aspirin may reverse effects of tooth decay, notes research

Research, from a team at Queen’s University Belfast, has demonstrated the potential for aspirin to be used in the repair of teeth affected by tooth decay.

It was found in the research that aspirin can enhance the function of stem cells found in teeth, thereby assisting the teeth to be repaired by regenerating the lost tooth structure.

Through combining genomics and novel bioinformatics, the researchers identified aspirin as a candidate drug with properties that stimulate existing tooth stem cells. They then discovered that by treating the teeth stem cells with low-dose aspirin there was a significant increase in mineralisation and the expression of genes that are responsible for forming dentine — which is usually damaged by decay.

Additionally, it was suggested that this approach may provide a unique solution for not only promoting natural tooth repair but also controlling tooth nerve inflammation and pain through the well-known effects of aspirin.

“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,” said Dr El Karim, principal investigator. “Our next step will be to develop an appropriate delivery system to test the drug efficacy in a clinical trial. This novel approach could not only increase the long-term survival of teeth but could also result in huge savings for the NHS and other healthcare systems worldwide.”

These research findings were presented at the British Society for Oral and Dental Research Annual Conference on 7 September.