Dry mouth, caused by a lack of saliva production in your
mouth, may be coming to an end. A research team from The University of Texas
Health Science Center at San Antonio may have found a way to repair those
damaged salivary glands. And the key is silk.
Researchers have found that silk, produced by the humble
silkworm, provides the perfect scaffolding for stem cells to repair damaged
glands, necessary for the production of saliva.
Currently, there is no treatment for low-producing, or
non-functioning salivary glands, and they are rarely able to repair themselves.
But now that may change. This new treatment may help over 4 million Americans
suffering from Sjögren’s Syndrome, an autoimmune disease that attacks the tear
ducts and salivary glands. It can also help patients suffering from underactive
salivary glands due to radiation treatments used for head, throat, and neck
cancers, and even people suffering dry mouth as a side effect of their
medications.
Saliva is vital to healthy teeth. It helps prevent oral
infections and food buildup, begins the digestion process for food, and helps
you with speaking and swallowing. A lack of saliva can lead to tooth decay,
cavities, gum disease, bad breath, and more.
If you feel you may be suffering from dry mouth, be sure to
discuss it today with your friendly Valencia dentist today.
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