Every year, over 13 million people worldwide die from stroke. However, many of these incidents could be prevented through relatively simple means, such as a healthier diet, more exercise, or improved oral health.

As many as 25 per cent of the world's population will have a stroke at some point in their lives. While far from all of them are fatal, they can have far-reaching consequences for the individual.

Research shows that up to 90 per cent of strokes are preventable through lifestyle changes. These changes could involve eating better, exercising more or quitting smoking, which most of us are probably familiar with.

But there is a factor that has been shown to play a significant role in stroke patients - and which is perhaps a little more unknown.

- In our study, we found dental bacteria in the blood of four out of five stroke patients. These are bacteria that are naturally present in the mouth. Still, when they get into the bloodstream, they can lead to serious problems, says Olli Patrakka, a researcher at the University of Tampere, Finland.

Previous research has shown that there is a clear link between poor oral health and cardiovascular disease. For example, people who have periodontitis are 28 per cent more likely to have a heart attack. Now, we may be on to something similar when it comes to brain health and stroke.

- Although more studies are needed to establish causality, we now clearly see that dental bacteria also play a significant role in stroke patients. It may have a crucial role in prevention and treatment, says Olli Patrakka.

Stroke is common even in women

Generally speaking, stroke is usually described as something that mainly affects men. But this image is not entirely true. Sixty per cent of people who die from stroke are women, and in the age group 55 to 75, one in five women will have a stroke at some point.

However, because strokes are mainly thought to affect men, many women miss the symptoms, which can lead to seeking care later. Factors that increase the risk of having a stroke include high blood pressure, high blood lipids, smoking and diabetes. However, taking care of your oral health has also been shown to be essential for those who want to prevent stroke.

- The dangerous bacteria in our mouths usually stay there and initially cause 'only' tooth decay. But for those who have periodontal disease, the risk is that these bacteria can travel through the gums and into the bloodstream, says Tommi Pätilä, heart surgeon and founder of Koite Health.

Complementary treatment

The most important measure needed to prevent periodontal disease is regular cleaning of the teeth and the spaces between them. Brushing twice a day and using a floss or interdental brush daily flossing or interdental brushing is a good starting point.

However, mechanical brushing only removes about 65% of the bacteria found on teeth surfaces. A complementary treatment, such as Lumoral, is, thus, recommended for those who want to prevent tooth loss and other serious oral diseases.

Lumoral is a light-activated treatment that utilises a combination of two types of light to remove 99.99 per cent of the bacteria in dental plaque. It is easy to use and also makes it harder for new plaque to stick to teeth.

- Treatments of this type used to be performed only in clinics, but Lumoral has been developed for use at home. It is very effective, and many of my patients with a lot of tartar and inflammation of the gums have felt an incredible improvement after a few weeks of use, says Ing-Marie Albinsson, a dental hygienist at the Lilla Tandkronan clinic in Arvika, Sweden.

Those who play sports are at greater risk of dental diseases such as caries and periodontitis. Therefore, taking care of your oral health is particularly important because problems can also affect athletic performance.

Life as an athlete has many health benefits but can also have negative consequences. One is that those who play sports at a high level are more likely to have caries and inflammation of the gums, which can eventually lead to tooth loss.

There are several reasons for this. People who train hard need to eat more often, which strains the teeth. It is also not uncommon to need extra energy during training sessions, and many energy supplements, such as energy bars and drinks, are high in sugar.

Intense exercise also involves a high heart rate and intense breathing, often through the mouth. This reduces saliva production, making it easier for bacteria to attach to teeth.

Studies have shown that among athletes, as many as around 70% have caries, and 15% have periodontitis or tooth loss.

Oral bacteria migrate elsewhere to the body

Annimari Korte is a hurdler who has represented Finland in both the World Championships and the Olympics. She previously held the Finnish record in the 100-metre hurdles.

- It is well known that elite athletes are at greater risk of dental disease. The symptoms themselves can be troublesome and make training complex, but they can also affect the body physically in a negative way that reduces performance, she says.

For example, the link between more severe dental disease and cardiovascular disease is well documented. Studies have shown, for example, that people with periodontitis, i.e. 28 per cent more likely to have a first heart attack. And the symptoms are not always visible.

- The harmful bacteria in our mouths can travel through the inflamed gums and into the bloodstream. When the body's immune system recognises the dangerous bacteria, the reaction results in an inflammation process to fight the bacteria. The result can be, for example, an infection of the heart valves or inflammation of the heart vessels, says Tommi Pätilä, cardiac surgeon and founder of Koite Health.

Light-activated therapy is essential for a healthy mouth

Exercising hard with low-grade inflammation in the body can involve significant risks. This is one reason why high-level athletes need to monitor their oral health.

- Because many oral conditions that can be detrimental to elite athletes are asymptomatic, it is essential to visit the dentist or dental hygienist frequently. This way, you can detect problems in time, says Annimari Korte.

To prevent oral infections and dental diseases, the most important thing to do is to brush your teeth thoroughly twice a day and clean between the teeth with floss or interdental brushes. Taking some form of fluoride treatment daily is also a good tip.

Manual toothbrushing is not, however, perfect—studies have shown that it only removes 65 per cent of the harmful bacteria on your teeth—it can be helpful to use a supplement, such as Lumoral therapy. Lumoral uses a patented light-activated therapy that removes 99.9% of the harmful bacteria on the tooth surface.

- I have been using Lumoral for a year and a half now, and my gums are in much better shape today. They no longer bleed when I clean between my teeth, and I have not had a cold since then. This has allowed me to train very effectively, and recently, I did my fastest time in three years, 12.83 seconds, says Annimari Korte.

Lumoral

The Lumoral method removes microscopic plaque from the teeth and gums' surface, slowing down the formation of new plaque and tartar. Its effect is based on the light-activated Lumorinse mouthwash. The treatment targets its antibacterial effect only on plaque and thus favours the normal bacterial flora in the mouth. Lumoral is a CE-marked medical device.

Lumoral consists of a mint-flavoured mouth rinse, Lumorinse, which is combined with the special mouthpiece. Using a method resembling photosynthesis, the treatment eliminates the ability of plaque to adhere to its substrate, which means that the teeth are cleaned, and the tooth surface becomes smooth.

The treatment, which can be performed at home, takes 10 minutes and is recommended once or twice a week.

Lumoral Junior

For children, there is Lumoral Junior, which includes a mouthpiece adapted for children's needs.

It is suitable for children between 4 and 12 years old. From the age of 12, children can usually switch to using a Lumoral mouthpiece, which is ideal for adults. To use Lumoral, the child should be able to rinse their mouth with mouthwash.

The International Dental Medicine Fair, commonly known as Dentex, once again brought the dental industry to the forefront from June 6-8, 2024. Organized by Zagreb Fair and the Croatian Chamber of Dental Medicine, the biennial event presented cutting-edge innovations, including Lumoral, to its visitors from Croatia and abroad.

One of the highlights of this year's event was Lumoral – a cutting-edge antibacterial therapy device developed by Finnish scientists designed to significantly improve oral hygiene when used as an adjunct therapy to regular brushing and flossing. The themes of the Dentex fair covered key areas of dentistry and dental technology.

Lumoral attracts attention

Lumoral has garnered attention for its innovative approach to maintaining oral hygiene. The device employs a dual-light photodynamic therapy that targets and eliminates harmful bacteria in the mouth, promoting healthier gums and teeth. Its user-friendly design and proven effectiveness make it an attractive option for both dental professionals and patients seeking to improve their oral health.

Lumoral's participation in Dentex reflects Croatian distribution partner Med-Faktor’s commitment to advancing dental care through innovation. Attendees at the event had the chance to experience firsthand how the Lumoral device can be integrated into their practice to enhance patient outcomes.

"The Dentex fair was a resounding success for our team. We had a spacious 50-square-meter area to showcase our products, with Lumoral drawing the most interest among visitors," said Med-Faktor Key Account Manager Marko Sever Cuglin.

With over 250 exhibitors presenting similar products like 3D printers, intraoral scanners, and implants, Lumoral stood out as a unique innovation.

"Our 'Wheel of Fortune' prize game, featuring a Lumoral starter set as the main prize, was a hit. It served as an excellent opportunity to introduce Lumoral to doctors, who were curious about its purpose, usage, and the time frame for seeing positive results in patients' oral health."

Sever Cuglin noted that dental professionals were impressed by Lumoral’s capabilities, recognizing its potential to improve treatment outcomes and serve as a preventive measure. "We gathered about 100 contacts interested in Lumoral, whom we plan to follow up with. Orthodontists were particularly excited about how Lumoral can help with braces maintenance, and periodontologists saw its potential to enhance standard dental treatments significantly."

Lumoral as a preoperative treatment

Experts in antimicrobial photodynamic therapy highlighted Lumoral’s utility as a preoperative treatment, emphasizing its effectiveness in eliminating harmful bacteria before implant placements or other surgical procedures.

"Overall, the response from the dental community was overwhelmingly positive. We look forward to continuing our engagements and expanding Lumoral's reach in dental practices," Sever Cuglin added.

***

Med-Faktor d.o.o. (www.medfaktor.hr), is a Croatia-based importing company established in 2010 by parent company Naturaldent Dental Group. The company is currently an exclusive distributor of products such as Medentis ICX implants, Belgian SMI sutures, NEXA3D printers and various other products for the countries of Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Kosovo and Albania.