MONDAY, July 21, (News Locale) - A visit to the dentist is never a comforting thought. Consumers can now look forward to bidding adieu to the dental drill as well as their toothbrush in the near future. This is because dental researchers at the Leeds Dental Institute have come up with two innovative solutions. 

First up is a mouthwash that kills plaque-causing bacteria when a light is shone into the mouth. Dental plaque is the leading cause of gum disease leading to bad breath, calculus deposits on teeth as well as loosening of teeth in extreme cases.

Prof Jennifer Kirkham, Research Director at the Leeds Dental Institute told the Daily Telegraph the mouthwash was absolutely safe even if it were accidentally swallowed by the user.

The mouthwash has been formulated using photo dynamic therapy. This was first thought to be helpful to cancer patients who cannot take proper care of oral hygiene. However the simplicity of the method is that the plaque forming bacteria absorb the mouthwash and are killed when a special light is shone on them.

The new mouthwash could be used in patients who cannot take care of their teeth owing to various disabilities. However Professor Kirkham cautioned it was not a replacement for the toothbrush; rather it was an adjunct that could be used to prevent the ill effects of oral plaque.

The new mouthwash may hit the markets in three years' time.

Another innovation to come out of the Leeds Dental Institute is a solution that is identical to the way new teeth are formed in the body. This may enable dentists to use it to repair cavities rather than resorting to drilling and filling.

The new solution is a protein that could be painted on teeth in the early stages or tooth decay of cavity formation. The researchers feel this alternative to drilling could be made available within five years