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A recent scientific breakthrough has demonstrated that dental floss could serve as an effective, needle-free vaccine delivery tool.
In a study published in Nature Biomedical Engineering, researchers used flat tape dental floss to deliver vaccines through the gingival sulcus—the naturally permeable area between the teeth and gums. The floss was coated with various vaccine agents, including proteins, inactivated viruses, and mRNA.
When applied to the gums of mice, it triggered strong immune responses across the lungs, lymph nodes, spleen, and even bone marrow.
The results showed that floss-based vaccination was superior to sublingual delivery and nearly as effective as intranasal vaccines. The method induced both systemic and mucosal immunity, with long-lasting protection observed even weeks after administration.
This innovation opens new possibilities—particularly in regions like South Asia—where vaccine accessibility, cost, and fear of needles remain barriers. As dentistry continues to expand its role in preventive care, floss-based vaccine delivery could one day be part of routine dental visits, offering a simple and painless alternative to traditional injections.
1. Ingrole, R.S.J., Shakya, A.K., Joshi, G. et al. Floss-based vaccination targets
the gingival sulcus for mucosal and systemic immunization. Nat. Biomed. Eng
(2025).
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41551-025-01451-3
2. Engineers transform dental floss into needle-free vaccine
A recent scientific breakthrough has demonstrated that dental floss could serve as an effective, needle-free vaccine delivery tool.
In a study published in Nature Biomedical Engineering, researchers used flat tape dental floss to deliver vaccines through the gingival sulcus—the naturally permeable area between the teeth and gums. The floss was coated with various vaccine agents, including proteins, inactivated viruses, and mRNA.
When applied to the gums of mice, it triggered strong immune responses across the lungs, lymph nodes, spleen, and even bone marrow.
The results showed that floss-based vaccination was superior to sublingual delivery and nearly as effective as intranasal vaccines. The method induced both systemic and mucosal immunity, with long-lasting protection observed even weeks after administration.
This innovation opens new possibilities—particularly in regions like South Asia—where vaccine accessibility, cost, and fear of needles remain barriers. As dentistry continues to expand its role in preventive care, floss-based vaccine delivery could one day be part of routine dental visits, offering a simple and painless alternative to traditional injections.
1. Ingrole, R.S.J., Shakya, A.K., Joshi, G. et al. Floss-based vaccination targets
the gingival sulcus for mucosal and systemic immunization. Nat. Biomed. Eng
(2025).
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41551-025-01451-3
2. Engineers transform dental floss into needle-free vaccine
