A new gel being developed by researchers in France could help teeth to grow back and reduce the need for fillings.

The discovery may aid those who provide emergency dentistry, with scientists claiming tooth tissue can be regenerated within four weeks.

Containing a melanocyte-stimulating hormone, which has now been linked with bone growth, the gel was rubbed onto dead cells within the mouth and caused them to reactive.

Professor Damien Walmsley, scientific advisor for the British Dental Association, admitted the experiment looked promising.

However, he added it is unlikely to be helpful for people whose teeth have been badly damaged by decay.

“We will have to wait for the results to come back from clinical trials and its use will be restricted to treating small areas of dental decay,” Professor Walmsley explained.

A recent study presented at the International Association of Dental Research found men with diabetes are twice as likely to lose their teeth compared with males who do not have the disease.