Snake Venom May Help Heal Your Mouth After Oral Surgery

You're about to undergo surgery on your gums. You're nervously sitting in the chair. You're afraid of the surgery and the pain that comes after it. But then your surgeon reassures you. "Don't worry," he says. "I'm going to use an adhesive made from snake venom to help you heal."

Hold it right there. Snake venom? In your mouth!?!

But according to the October 2007 issue of The Journal of Periodontology,
that's exactly what surgeons may be saying soon. Research has found that a new adhesive
derived from snake venom actually promotes healing faster than traditional sutures.

According to Monica Barbosa, Phd, from the Bauru Dental School at the University of Sao Paulo,"This unique type of adhesive may stimulate faster tissue repair. It is a more natural form of adhesive in comparison to traditional sutures used after surgery. More studies are needed to fully evaluate the effectiveness of this alternative."

Preston D. Miller, DDS, the President of the American Association of Periodontology,goes on to explain that ""This adhesive may be a less infectious alternative to traditional sutures."

Less infectious, faster healing. But it's derived from snake venom. And it's going in your mouth.

Maybe it'll just be better not to know.