Fighting oral pathogens the smart way
UncategorisedPosted by: Dental Design 7th February 2023
It is essential to minimise the prevalence of pathogens in the oral cavity before, during and after any dental treatment in order to reduce the risk of infection. In light of the past couple of years, the ability to minimise pathogenic aerosolisation during procedures is equally as beneficial for patients and professionals alike.
A mouth rinse is often used to decontaminate the oral cavity in preparation for treatment and/or afterwards to support tissue recovery. It is an easy-to-implement solution and one that helps to prevent complications while promoting excellent treatment outcomes. For the best results, product selection is key – and close attention must be paid to the formula being used.
The traditional approach
The majority of traditional mouthwashes contain chlorhexidine (CHX). This substance has been shown to support management of dental plaque, as well as reduce the clinical symptoms of gingivitis and dry socket, and minimise aerosolisation of bacteria.[i] It is effective against most microbes, both Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms, aerobes, yeasts, fungi and some viruses – though not against spores.
However, all this does come at a price. CHX is also associated with an array of adverse effects, including glandular swelling, hypersensitivity, a burning sensation in the mouth, ulceration or erosion, taste disturbance and discolouration of the soft and hard tissues.[ii] The latter two are the side effects most often discussed – likely because they are the most common and patients are more likely to notice them. It’s not difficult to see why staining on the teeth or restorations following CHX use post-implant placement would impact patient satisfaction of the results achieved.
Another consideration is the link between CHX and antimicrobial resistance. A growing concern around the globe, antimicrobial resistance presents a dilemma for the entire healthcare sector, as well as the population at large if current trends continue. Though widespread resistance to CHX has not yet been established in all “clinically-relevant” pathogen species, it is not unheard of and should be monitored carefully moving forward.[iii] Research has suggested that regular use of CHX can trigger adaptation of oral microorganisms and cause changes to their antibiotic susceptibilities.[iv]
As such, finding a solution that removes these potential issues, without any compromise to the oral health benefits, it essential for clinicians.
An alternative and refined option
With growing acknowledgement for the limitations of CHX, there is demand for products that take a different approach to fighting pathogens. The alternative is a high-purity hypochlorous solution, which offers greater microbial efficacy than CHX without the risk of microbial resistance. One in vitro study demonstrated that hypochlorous acid lowered the concentration of P.gingivalis significantly more than other solutions, including CHX.[v]
But – and it’s a big but – not all hypochlorous is created equal.
The purity of hypochlorous used within a solution, as well as its stability, determines how effective it really is against pathogens. Not only that, but these factors will also impact how the solution interacts with the natural tissues – there’s little advantage in finding an alternative to CHX if many of the negative side effects still exist.
The creation of a stable hypochlorous formula requires very specific conditions, which are only achieved by those companies willing to go the extra mile. This is why it is so important to really evaluate the oral rinses you are recommending to your patients. It is never as simple as looking for a single ingredient – there is so much more to it when seeking a solution that really works.
A solution for dental patients
To be smart in the fight against oral pathogens, utilising hypochlorous in the right product is key. You need a mouth rinse that you can trust to deliver all the benefits of traditional products, but with none of the negative side effects. Clinisept+ Dental Mouthwash is the only high-purity hypochlorous solution on the market – and it is already used by many of the UK’s leading implant dentists. Featuring a completely unique, next generation hypochlorous formula, both its stability and purity are optimised to deliver superior levels of microbial control without the risk of irritation, staining or impact on taste that are associated with CHX. Clinisept+ is also non-toxic, anti-inflammatory, hypoallergenic, has a neutral pH and contains no alcohol.
Minimising the risk of infection is essential for patients before, during and after dental treatment. This is achieved by reducing pathogens within the oral cavity. Mouthwash has long been utilised for such a purpose, but unique solutions available today offer benefits that go beyond those of traditional products. Understanding the formulas available and how they impact the mouth is the first step to selecting the very best mouthwash for your patients.
Find out more at www.cliniseptplus.com, or contact 01455 247797 or
info@cht-ltd.com
Ross Walker
Director at Clinical Health Technologies Ltd
[i] Brookes ZLS, Bescos R, Belfield LA, Ali K, Roberts A. Current uses of chlorhexidine for management of oral disease: a narrative review. J Dent. 2020 Dec;103:103497. doi: 10.1016/j.jdent.2020.103497. Epub 2020 Oct 17. PMID: 33075450; PMCID: PMC7567658.
[ii] Pałka Ł, Nowakowska-Toporowska A, Dalewski B. Is Chlorhexidine in Dentistry an Ally or a Foe? A Narrative Review. Healthcare (Basel). 2022 Apr 20;10(5):764. doi: 10.3390/healthcare10050764. PMID: 35627901; PMCID: PMC9141996.
[iii] Buxser S. Has resistance to chlorhexidine increased among clinically-relevant bacteria? A systematic review of time course and subpopulation data. PLoS One. 2021 Aug 19;16(8):e0256336. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0256336. PMID: 34411140; PMCID: PMC8376095.
[iv] Früh R, Anderson A, Cieplik F, Hellwig E, Wittmer A, Vach K, Al-Ahmad A. Antibiotic Resistance of Selected Bacteria after Treatment of the Supragingival Biofilm with Subinhibitory Chlorhexidine Concentrations. Antibiotics. 2022; 11(10):1420. https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics11101420
[v] Chen C-J, Chen C-C, Ding S-J. Effectiveness of Hypochlorous Acid to Reduce the Biofilms on Titanium Alloy Surfaces in Vitro. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2016; 17(7):1161. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms17071161
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