Vaccinations could be changed as we know them, as dental floss may replace needles as a mode of delivery.
This comes in response to a new study published in Nature Biomedical Engineering, which used floss-based vaccination along the gingival sulcus (the groove between gum and tooth) in mice to induce an immune response.
The gingival sulcus is highly permeable, says a report by Medical Xpress, which enables the absorption of vaccine molecules. The weakened or inactive pathogens then instigate a response from organs throughout the body, which aids disease recovery if a person is exposed to it in the future.
50 mice were flossed every two weeks for 28 days, which Medical Xpress notes was only possible by pulling down the jaw of each animal with a metal ring, whilst another person put their dental skills to the test.
The vaccinated floss was laced with components such as proteins and inactive viruses.
After exposure to a lethal strain of flu, only those that had been vaccinated via floss survived, and also showed a more widespread immune response.
The researchers also found anti-bodies in the bone marrow, which suggests that the mice had built a long-term immune response.
The next question is, would this mode of delivery work well for humans? Flossing with the aim to remove plaque and bacteria is known to be technique sensitive, and the researchers used a dye to see if 27 healthy human volunteers could use it properly – dye reached the gums about 60% of the time. If overseen by a dentist, some may argue that technique could be monitored.
Efficacy through this method is one of the principal concerns, as with vaccination through injection.
Vaccinations delivered via dental floss would not only help those with a fear of needles (which affects at least 1 in 10 according to the NHS), but could aid the delivery of urgent vaccinations. Storage of items would be different from needles, without the need for cold temperatures.
With further research, dental practices may be the place to go for your next flu vaccine – especially if you’re Stuart Little.
Main image credit: Unsplash
