New research dives into the fact that wounds in your mouth heal faster and more efficiently than wounds elsewhere in the body. Scientists at the Institute for Research in Dental Sciences in Santiago, Chile, discovered that a peptide in saliva responsible for blood vessel formation is the critical elements in efficient wound healing. The effects of this study could help researchers develop better approaches towards wound healing in the mouth, including using these molecules to create materials and dental implants that further aid in healing the mouth. Who knew that the old adage of “licking your wounds” would be scientifically supported?