What’s got brackets, wires, and plaque all over?

Kristin Sheridan, RDH, explains how OrthoProtect’s key ingredients improve orthodontic patient’s oral health

There’s no riddle here; it’s your patients’ teeth. And honestly, this needs to be amended because patients with clear aligners also have plaque all over their teeth. Even when the appliances are removable, patients still struggle to clean their teeth properly. Our goal is to be able to provide the best overall outcome for ortho treatment, and a big part of that is getting patients on board with improving their home care. They already know that they are supposed to brush and floss, but rather than repeatedly educating them on this, have you ever discussed a therapeutic rinse that will have the ability to aid in remineralization and plaque reduction? There are a few key ingredients to look out for to help with this and improve orthodontic patient’s oral health.

Activated chlorine dioxide: Chlorine dioxide has a superior ability to break down the toughest microorganisms and biofilms, without corrosive action or negative impacts on the oral environment. It will not only break up the plaque, but also will also kill bacteria that causes decay and gum disease. It is safe and effective while being able to be used long term to help improve overall hygiene for patients. It is also effective against protozoa, viruses, and fungi and is considered more effective against microbes than many over-the-counter solutions.

Calcium lactate: In order to prevent cavities, you must reinforce the integrity of the enamel. This ingredient is a bioavailable form of calcium; it effectively contributes to the remineralization of tooth enamel, helping to repair early signs of tooth decay and strengthen teeth. Furthermore, calcium lactate supports saliva’s protective functions by buffering oral acids and neutralizing pH levels.

Xylitol: Best known for its ability to reduce the growth of harmful decay-causing bacteria like streptococcus mutans, xylitol disrupts the bacteria’s ability to function because they are unable to metabolize this sugar alcohol. It also interferes with bacterial adhesion, helping to reduce plaque formation and lowering the risk of decay. Xylitol can also enhance remineralization of teeth when used in conjunction with calcium lactate, reinforcing the teeth’s strength against acids and bacteria. Additionally, it stimulates the production of saliva which naturally helps to wash away food particles. Since saliva naturally contains minerals, this also aids in the remineralization of teeth.

Poloxamer 407: Poloxamers enhance the effectiveness of other ingredients in solutions. They do this by reducing surface tension and increasing the “spreading and wetting properties” of products. This also creates a “slippery” surface that plaque has trouble building on, thereby minimizing the amount of plaque accumulation on tooth surfaces and brackets and wires.

Overall, each of these ingredients is special in some way. But Ortho Protect utilizes all these ingredients together to get the best outcomes with patients. It will help those who are in traditional bracket-and-wire appliances and those who are using clear aligners to improve their dental health.

No more riddles, just results.

This information was provided by OraCare.