FluoRight: Slow release of fluoride

Fluoride, a naturally occurring mineral is a key ingredient in toothpastes and mouthwashes to rebuild weakened tooth enamel to prevent decay.

Toothpastes and mouthwashes are an extremely inefficient means of applying fluoride to teeth – for the simple reason that much of it will go straight down the drain when you rinse and spit.

Prof Mangala Patel and her team found a way around this problem, by delivering fluoride directly to teeth at the optimum dose and ensuring that it remains on the teeth for a prolonged period.

Known as FluoRight, their invention works by coating your teeth with a layered double hydroxide, held in place with a polymer, which slowly releases fluoride and calcium ions over a twelve-hour period. In doing so, FluoRight equips your mouth to continually cleanse itself throughout the day or night.

FluoRight is the only technology to proactively promote remineralisation and reactively neutralise acid. Its low cost means it can easily be added to existing dental products without having to significantly raise the retail price.

A third of children and almost half of adults in Britain suffer tooth decay – at a cost of £2bn a year to the NHS.

Opportunity

We’re looking to partner with dental companies to add FluoRight into toothpastes and mouth washes. FluoRight is covered by patent and know-how.