Keratin extracted from sheep wool has been shown to help protect human teeth. According to a new study, dental treatments from sheep wool and other hair could be used to overlay teeth, repair of enamel and to prevent caries

After extracting the keratin – a protein found on hair, skin and nails – from wool and application to the teeth, scientists found that the substance formed a crystal -like protective cover and mimic the natural enamel of the teeth.

This discovery could support sustainable, low -cost treatments for caries over the next two to three years, according to researchers, Livescience.com notes. They published their findings on August 12 in Advanced Healthcare Materials.

“Keratin offers a transformative alternative to current dental treatments,” said one of the authors of the Sara Gamea study, a dental researcher at King’s College, London.

“Not only comes from sustainable sources of organic waste such as hair and skin, but also eliminates the need for traditional plastic resins, commonly used in dentistry, which are toxic and less durable. Keratin also looks much more natural than these treatments, as it can fit better with the color of the original tooth, ”he notes.

Caries is the most common disease of oral health in the world, affecting about 2 billion people worldwide. Over time, acidic foods, poor oral hygiene and daily wear can destroy the protective enamel that covers a person’s teeth. Loss of this enamel can lead to pain, caries and tooth loss.

“Unlike bones and hair, the enamel is not regenerated,” said one of the authors of the study Sherif Elsharkawy, a researcher specializing in King’s College, London. “As soon as it is lost, it is lost forever,” he says.

To explore whether keratin -based treatments could help stop the caries and repair the enamel, Elsharkawy and his associates first exported keratin from wool fibers. They then mixed the keratin with water, where it formed a thin membrane.

After applying the keratin membrane to a tooth sample, the scientists found that it formed a neat, powerful and crystalline coating similar to organic enamel when it came into contact with saliva metals.

Scientists are exploring ways to do keratin treatment available to the general public. According to the announcement, toothpaste with keratin for daily use or professional coats applied to the dental clinic could be available in the coming years.

“We are entering an exciting era where biotechnology allows us not only to cure symptoms, but also to restore biological function using the body materials themselves,” said Elsharkawy. “With further development and the right partnerships with the industry, we will soon be able to get louder and healthier smiles than something as simple as a haircut.”