Dental probs? Meet your new best friend

So I was sitting at the hygienist's yesterday, and she told me about this amazing-sounding new product. You know probiotics, aka 'good bacteria'? Scientists have now developed an exclusively oral version, which just works in the mouth. Basically, the good mouth bacteria eat the bad things that cause plaque and decay, which results in dramatically improved oral health all round. This is all very fabulous for you and I (to say nothing of for people with hideous halitosis), but it is especially fabulous for people with special needs who have dental issues. Children with DiGeorge, for instance, are especially prone to tooth decay, and for some children with severe special needs the whole concept of tooth-brushing can be a bit of a palaver/nightmare. (The product isn't supposed to replace tooth-brushing, obviously, but it's certainly going to be a help if tooth-brushing is for any reason difficult).

Now, I haven't tried this product myself (well, I have, once, but it takes two weeks to start doing its thing), and it does sound quasi-miraculous and almost too good to be true, but I have total faith in my hygienist, who was really excited about it. It comes as a sugar-free mint-flavoured lozenge, which you suck slowly (apparently they're working on making it in powder form, for people who can't suck). The press release thingy follows, if you want all the ins and outs. The product is called PerioBalance; it has been accredited by the British Dental Health Foundation. It will be available from Boots, Lloyds and Unichem from 27 October and will cost £14.99. For more information and stockists visit www.sunstargum.co.uk. To buy PerioBalance online visit dentalshop.co.uk or call 0845 006 6296. The press release follows after the break.

DENTAL EXPERTS BELIEVE THAT THE WORLD’S FIRST ORAL PROBIOTIC IS A CUTTING EDGE STRATEGY FOR THE DEFENCE OF THE MOUTH

We now understand and appreciate the benefits of probiotics for gut health; these help boost the numbers of good bacteria in the digestive system, improving the way the gut functions.

The world’s first oral probiotic – PerioBalance - has just been launched nationwide which acts in the same way, but specifically on the flora of the mouth, to reduce bacterial build up which can lead to gum disease

This is particularly significant because there is increasing evidence to show that there is a link between gum disease and a number of systemic diseases including diabetes and heart disease. It is also important because gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss.

The new probiotic has been accredited by The British Dental Health Foundation whose panel of dental experts verified its clinical claims.

What is a probiotic?
The term ‘friendly bacteria’ has been coined for microorganisms which are beneficial for human health. The World Health Organisation defines probiotics as micro-organisms that confer a positive health benefit to the host when taken in specific quantities.

An oral probiotic works by
Colonising the whole digestive tract including the mouth
Re-establishing a healthy balance of oral bacteria
Inhibiting the growth of disease producing oral bacteria
Modulating the inflammatory immune response

Re-establishing the balance
GUM PerioBalance is the world’s first oral health probiotic. It contains the innovative and patented active ingredient Lactobacillus reuteri Prodentis which has been documented in clinical studies. It is formulated to assist in the restoration of the natural balance of the mouth and contributes to optimal oral health by reducing bacterial plaque build up that can lead to gum and other oral health problems.

Each GUM PerioBalance mint lozenge contains at least 200 million active Lactobacillus reuteri Prodentis at the time of manufacture which actively assist in the restoration of the mouth’s microflora. The product has been clinically demonstrated to improve oral health in studies which show that regular consumption of a daily probiotic can help to increase the number of good or ‘friendly’ bacteria.

GUM PerioBalance is a food supplement which should be used regularly for optimal oral health, particularly if a person is suffering from bleeding or sensitive gums, or when recommended by their dentist or hygienist. The lozenge is specifically recommended in all situations where a person’s natural defences can become particularly challenged, for instance during pregnancy or particularly stressful and hectic times. Clinical studies have shown that PerioBalance is safe for both adults and children under normal usage conditions.

Expert opinions
The British Dental Health Foundation is delighted that GUM PerioBalance has been awarded approved status by its independent accreditation panel. The product approval scheme, the biggest in the world, is overseen by a panel of internationally acknowledged and published academics who check that any claims made for a particular product are clinically proven. Dr Nigel Carter, Chief Executive of the British Dental Health Foundation commented: “We are delighted that GUM PerioBalance has achieved our seal of approval and look forward to working with them for years to come. The accreditation panel agrees that Gum PerioBalance is a most innovative and exciting product.”

Studies show that more microorganisms live on us than comprise us and Microbiologist Professor John Thomas MS PhD explains that a balanced microflora is essential for oral health, just as it is for overall wellness. The mouth and gastro-intestinal tract are protected by beneficial microflora which, when balanced, work together as a natural defence system for the mouth. However poor oral hygiene, stress, bad eating habits, certain medications, infection, a compromised immune system, pregnancy or a hectic lifestyle can disrupt this protective oral balance and allow ‘bad’ bacteria to thrive, causing bleeding gums, bad breath and other oral health problems.

Professor John Thomas MS, PhD explains "Achieving balance in lifestyles is a common theme amongst all living things - large and small - particularly the very smallest ...microorganisms. The oral cavity is inhabited by the most genetically diverse microbial population in the body, when these become out of balance, microbiota have causal links with oral diseases - gingivitis and periodontitis. More recently we have discovered they have been linked with systemic diseases including cardio vascular disease, pneumonia amongst hospitalised patients, premature low birthweight babies and diabetes.”

“Re-establishing the normal balance of the oral flora, naturally and biologically without the consequences of anti-infectives is a cutting edge strategy and I am excited by the potential of this new oral probiotic PerioBalance”.

Dental expert Dr Philip Preshaw BDS, FDSRCSEd, PhD of Newcastle University, explained “There is evidence to show that there is a correlation between periodontal disease and a variety of systemic diseases and the dental professional has a critical role to play, not only in the prevention of periodontal disease but also its systemic consequences in order to have an effect on a patients’ overall health and wellbeing.”

As Mhari Coxon, Dental Hygienist of the Year commented “For me an oral probiotic is a ground breaking, diverse product. Children who are a high caries risk could use it as a preventative adjunct to good cleaning and a healthy diet. Patients with a family history of periodontal disease could use it as a preventative measure. Those patients who have established periodontal disease can use it to support their maintenance regime. Those suffering from dry mouth conditions, or taking medication that causes dry mouth symptoms, could benefit from the reduction in the bacteria which cause decay and gum disease. What I am trying to convey is the broad spectrum of people who will benefit from this new development. It is an exciting time.”

A suitable case for treatment?
Oral probiotics are particularly recommended for people with:

Cardio Vascular Disease
Chronic Systemic diseases
Diabetes
Dry mouth/Xerostomia
Gum disease/bleeding gums
Immunocompromised adults and children
Mouth ulcers
Multiple medication use
Pregnancy
Special needs adults and children
The elderly

Taking PerioBalance is simple, pleasant and practical: One mint lozenge is sucked daily after brushing and flossing the teeth; the lozenge should be allowed to slowly dissolve for ten minutes allowing the active ingredients to disperse. GUM Perio Balance is packaged in hygienic blister packs from which a once a day dose can be popped in the mouth. The product is suitable for pregnant women, children and vegetarians.

Where to get it
PerioBalance retails for £14.99 – which works out at less than 50p per day -and is available from Boots (from 27 October), Lloyds and UniChem chemists and other good pharmacies (and can be ordered from any pharmacy within 24 hours). It is also available from dental practices. For more information and stockists visit www.sunstargum.co.uk. To buy PerioBalance on line visit www.dentalshop.co.uk or call 0845 006 6296.

Competition: Suck it and see
To win a month’s supply of GUM PerioBalance, visit www.sunstargum.co.uk where the first 100 people to register will be sent a 30 day pack of PerioBalance to try for themselves.

The Company behind the product
Sunstar GUM is market leader in Japan and many of its products are best sellers in the USA. It has developed a wide range of oral care products in collaboration with dental professionals to help improve oral health. In fact, GUM’s unique 3-Step system provides a complete and advanced range of 80 oral care products for effective oral hygiene based on the complementary action of three essential components: toothbrushes, flosses, and specific products for custom care which, when working together, ensure optimal bacteria and plaque removal to prevent the possible start of a chain reaction in the mouth which could have a systemic health effect. More information about Sunstar and the GUM range is available on www.sunstargum.co.uk

Comments

[Georgia Dell]

I have used PerioBalance as having a brace meant I kept getting mouth ulcers. You just suck one a day and literally within 3 days, my ulcers had cleared up. The hygienist at my orthodontist told me about it.

Georgia

[Helen Gerald]

when my patients have been struggling with their oral hygiene for some time, I have recommended Periobalance. This is definitely making a difference reducing inflammation,plaque and tooth decay. PerioBalance is balancing the good and bad bacteria to promote a healthy oral cavity

[Maria]

That sounds good! As you know, kids with heart conditions, like Nell and my little girl, have to be especially careful of tooth decay as dental work can lead to endocarditis. My little girl is a nightmare when it comes to brushing her teeth - screams from the bathroom every night - this sounds like a useful product to assist in preventing tooth decay.

[Bill Warner]

If you include flossing in your oral hygiene habits, take a look at Gripit Floss Holders (www.gripit.biz). These handy devices with their own floss supply have cut my flossing time substantially and keep me motivated to floss regularly.