Get your smile back

A dental gel that 'rebuilds' living tissue promises to revolutionise the treatment of gum disease, a painful condition which affects one in ten people.

Genigel, the new treatment, contains hyaluronic acid - a sub-stance found in the connective tissues of the body. When applied to gums, it provides a sticky film in which new cells and blood vessels can grow.

In trials at the University of Rostock in Germany, scientists found it can boost tissue regeneration by up to a half, increase blood supply and reduce inflammation.

Gum disease is caused by bacteria attacking tissue between the gums and teeth. Teeth become loose and prone to abscesses, and can fall out.

In many patients the bacterial infection is so deeply lodged that it can't be cleaned out by brushing or antibacterial mouthwashes.

Dentists can clean infected areas, but the gum tissue is often so damaged that by the time it begins healing, new infection has set in. By accelerating gum healing in these people, Genigel could effectively cure them of what is a chronic and recurrent disease.

The gel, which costs £4.99 for 20ml, can also be used after tooth extractions and other surgical procedures to boost healing and ease pain.

Patients suffering from chronic mouth ulcers and lichen planus - an oral form of eczema - are also expected to benefit.

Hyaluronic acid, the active agent in Genigel, has been used for years by doctors to boost regrowth of connective tissue.

It helps skin grafts grow, and promotes wound healing. It is also injected into the joints of people with rheumatoid arthritis.

'Fortyper cent of the connective tissue in the body is made of hyaluronic acid,' explains Richard Thomas of Rotadent, which distributes the gel.

'If you add extra quantities of hyaluronic acid to damaged areas, it speeds tissue growth and prevents infection. It is also a crucial component of gum tissues, but is destroyed by bacteria. The damaged tissue tends to be inflamed and leaky, which makes it very vulnerable to further bacterial attack.

'Applying hyaluronic acid as a gel strengthens cell walls and gets cells to stick together. The tissue grows back faster, while being able to resist re-infection.'

Chronic infections of the gum are notoriously difficult to identify and treat. Early signs, such as a sour taste in the mouth, gum recession and occasional bleeding, tend to go unnoticed.

When advanced symptoms, such as loose teeth and abscesses, start to show in your mid-40s and early 50s, the damage has been done.

'In these cases, bacteria have often broken down so much tissue that there are loosened pockets beneath gums and teeth of 6mm or more,' explains Peter Galgut, a periodontist at the North London Periodontal Centre.

'These pockets are too deep to be cleaned with brushing. Patients must see a periodontist to clean away the plaque. Antibiotic pastes are then inserted into the infected areas to kill off excess bacteria.

'But despite treating these patients, gums often heal so slowly that plaque reforms beneath the gums before they are better. As their gums never totally recover, they remain vulnerable to cavities and ever-loosening teeth.'

Genigel has saved 59-year-old Peter Jefferis's lower front teeth. Retired Mr Jefferis, from Wiltshire, has suffered from gum disease for 40 years.

'By February, recurrent gum infections had loosened my lower front teeth so muchthat I couldn't chew with them,' says Mr Jefferis.

'The dentist wanted to extract them and replace them with false teeth. I was reluctant, so I began looking for something that might help. A friend recommended Genigel.

The effect was incredible. I rubbed gel into the infected areas three times a day, and after three or four days the soreness had gone. My gums settled from an angry red to a healthy pink.

'A week later, the teeth began to firm up. A month later, I could chew on them. The gel has actually made my gums grow back, which is something no amount of brushing or anti-bacterial mouthwashes could ever do.'

But Lynn Munday, hygienist at Bridge House Dental practice in Suffolk, warns the gel could never replace good tooth brushing.

'This gel really seems to work, but it's not a complete therapy in itself,' she says. 'For good results, you need to brush your teeth thoroughly, and patients must remember to apply the gel three or four times daily.

'Genigel isn't a wonder cure, but it's safe and natural - and when used properly, it gets good results.'

• £4.99/20ml or £6.99 for a mouthwash) can be bought from your local dentist or from Rotadent, tel: 01480 471 972.