Mouth Film With Cystatins and a Statherin-Derived Peptide Protected Tooth Enamel From Acid in a 10-Person Brazilian Crossover Study
Researchers at the University of São Paulo's Bauru School of Dentistry reported in the European Journal of Oral Sciences on October 16, 2026 a randomized crossover study in 10 participants comparing a mouth rinse and a dissolving oral film that each contained three plant cystatins and a peptide derived from statherin, a saliva protein that binds enamel. Both formulations protected enamel against a short acid challenge better than their placebos; the film outperformed a fluoride film and the rinse matched Elmex, a commercial fluoride rinse. Participants preferred the film, but the study was very small and short.