Enhancing Oral Hygiene at Home as Dental Visits Postponed During COVID-19

Edited by Dentaltown staff

TAMPA, Fla.—During the ADA’s current ‘emergency only’ protocol for dental patients, hygienists, dentists and other dental health specialists are keeping their focus on patient care. Many dental professionals may consider offering oral care probiotics to patients who need extra periodontal protection during the COVID-19 outbreak. In addition to daily brushing and flossing, especially for those that aren’t diligent about flossing, the use of oral care probiotics can be an effective option to maintain a healthy mouth.

According to a peer-reviewed article in the Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry co-authored by Mark L. Cannon, DDS MS, Northwestern University and Ann and Robert Lurie Children’s Hospital, “Probiotics significantly reduced the caries rate of high caries prone pediatric subjects without any reported side effects.” The article continues, “Indeed, probiotics simply reduce the pathogens that modern, high sugar diets, feed.”

“Oral care probiotics are designed specifically to balance the bacteria in the mouth, similarly to how well-known probiotics work in the gut,” said Sam Low, DDS, MS, MEd. “Oral care probiotics can be one of the easiest and most effective ways to maintain good dental hygiene. Those with compromised immune systems especially need to actively practice good hygiene during this health crisis. For healthy people, including those in orthodontic treatment, oral care probiotics can offer a real added health benefit.” Dr. Low is a consultant to Tampa-based Probiora Health, a provider of oral care probiotics in the United States.

Oral care probiotics are live bacteria that are identical to the beneficial microorganisms found naturally in the mouth. The addition of oral care probiotics to an oral hygiene regimen can restore the natural balance of beneficial bacteria, which can be depleted by diet, stress, medication, illness or other factors.

For more information, visit probiorahealth.com/knowledge-library.
Originally shared via Dentaltown.com