@newscientist: Preventing cavities may have just got easier Researchers at the University of Nottingham have developed a new gel that can actually restore tooth enamel, something we’ve never been able to do before. It works by mimicking the proteins that help infants grow enamel, creating a scaffold that fills cracks and helps grow new crystals in enamel. In tests, it repaired damage within a week and stayed strong for weeks after. Human trials start next year, and if it works, trips to the dentist could get a lot less painful (and expensive!) #dentist #cavities #fyp #STEM