The way we use our jaw muscles could hold the key to surviving Covid-19, living longer and looking younger, according to a former dentist.

Dr Mohindra who invented Oralift, a mouthpiece device for people to wear for short periods to improve their facial features, says he’s uncovered unexpected benefits over the last few years.

He says he has gathered anecdotal evidence the device helps a number of conditions, including helping people’s breathing.

Dr Mohindra, a former Wimpole Street dentist, is now hoping to launch a research programme to study whether the way our facial muscles have to adapt to a new jaw position could support the immune system and improve oxygen levels.

He said: “In lockdown, one of the things we are encouraged to do is exercise.

“Everyone knows the importance of keeping fit. It’s the best natural medicine and Joe Wicks is doing fantastic work getting the nation moving.

“There is compelling evidence to show physical activity helps flush bacteria out of the lungs and airways. It can also prompt changes in antibodies and white blood cells, which are the body’s immune system. Both of these help against Covid-19.

“We have anecdotal findings from our clients to show that people using the Oralift device are benefiting with improved oxygen levels, but we need to back that up with research.”

Dr Mohindra is seeking a university or independent research body to work with him on the programme and is hoping to raise funds for the project by offering the device at a 30% reduction in price to those UK customers over 60 willing to provide feedback for analysis.

He added: “If these benefits can be established through proper investigation then the device can play an important part in helping people.”

Users have reported the device has boosted their oxygen levels, has helped with asthma attacks, and recently someone, whose breathing was impaired for 30 years after an accident, reported her oxygen levels were back close to normal levels.

Oralift, developed as a result of Dr Mohindra’s work on patients with facial pain in the 1980s, is used by people worldwide. It has proved popular across the USA, Scandinavia, Europe and Australia and is used for a non-surgical facelift that is an alternative to surgery or Botox injections.

Originally monitored by dentists and aestheticians, more recently it has been developed into a self-help device where users download an app and monitor and report back on their own progress.

Dr Mohindra’s original work was published in the British Dental Journal in 1996 with a second paper in 2002 that showed how people looked younger through the dental facelift. Oralift evolved from this and his ground-breaking discovery has been published in the Open Dentistry Journal.

Further information on the Oralift device can be found at www.oralift.com and anyone wanting to take part in or support the research programme should email: research@oralift.com