A recent study has found that administering vaccine-coated dental floss to the mucosal surface between teeth and gums can effectively stimulate local antibody production, thereby boosting the body’s defenses against pathogens such as influenza and the novel coronavirus.
Corresponding author Professor Harvinder Singh Gill noted that the oral and respiratory mucosa are the primary entry points for many respiratory diseases, while traditional vaccine injections focus on stimulating antibodies in the blood and are unable to directly target these critical mucosal sites.
“Through mucosal administration, vaccines not only activate antibodies in the blood but also form a protective barrier on the mucosal surface, effectively blocking pathogen invasion,” Professor Gill explained.
The research team employed an innovative method, applying the vaccine to unwaxed dental floss and then using the floss to clean the teeth of experimental mice to simulate vaccination. The experiment compared the antibody responses to three different vaccination methods: nasal, sublingual, and dental floss. Lead author Rohan Ingrole stated that dental flossing outperformed traditional sublingual vaccination in terms of mucosal antibody responses and offered comparable protection against influenza viruses as nasal vaccination.
Professor Gill emphasized that the tissue between the gums and teeth lacks the barrier mechanisms commonly found elsewhere, making this area an ideal target for vaccine delivery. Furthermore, eating or drinking immediately after vaccination does not affect the immune response, enhancing its practicality.
To validate the feasibility of this method in humans, researchers had 27 volunteers try dental floss sticks containing food coloring. The results showed that approximately 60% of the coloring was successfully deposited within the periodontal pockets, demonstrating the promising delivery potential of dental floss vaccines.
While this technology offers significant advantages for those with needle phobia, Professor Gill also noted some limitations: infants who haven’t yet erupted teeth cannot use this method, and its applicability for patients with gum disease or oral infections requires further study.
Overall, the team is confident in the potential of dental floss vaccines and plans to advance clinical trials based on the current results, hoping to provide a new, convenient, and safe approach to vaccination.