On October 27th and 28th, the Spanish Federation of Dental Hygienists (HIDES) hosted its 34th National Congress in Valladolid, Spain. The event attracted around 300 attendees, including dental hygienists, sponsors, and international speakers. At the congress, Gianfranco Panzironi, a Lumoral consultant, received an award for his poster presentation on the science and advantages of home-use antibacterial Lumoral therapy.

– The purpose of the poster was to explain and disseminate the mechanism of action of photodynamic therapy. I initially introduced the topic telling how photodynamic therapy was discovered by Oscar Raab in 1900. Then, I examined and described the method Lumoral in all its features, explains Gianfranco Panzironi, a researcher, oral hygienist, and lecturer.

In the poster, Panzironi explained the science behind home-use antibacterial Lumoral therapy: for instance, what is role of using indocyanine green as a photosensitiser is in the Lumoral treatment. He also highlighted the significance of the simultaneous 405 nm and 810 nm LED light in the Lumoral device for its bactericidal properties.

– My presentation led to many questions, especially regarding the origin of the Lumoral innovation. Winning the poster competition prize brings me great joy, and I'm grateful to Lumoral for their support and the continuous inspiration they've provided since the beginning, Mr Panzironi notes.

At the event’s Lumoral stand, Koite Health Ltd. Chief Commercial Officer (COO) Tero Pasanen was present explaining to oral health specialists together with Mr Panzironi how antibacterial Lumoral method works and how it enhances oral home care.

The atmosphere at the two-day event was friendly and full of enthusiasm, Mr. Panzironi says.

– The presence of Lumoral was something truly new and it caught the attention of visitors. Being a Finnish innovation further heightened curiosity due to Finland's reputation for scientific advancements and oral hygiene emphasis.

Periodontal disease affects many

Numerous dental hygienists visited the Lumoral stand, with their primary interest centered on the green Lumorinse mouthwash in the measuring cup and the active dual-light device. Meanwhile, more experienced colleagues asked for information especially on indication for use and clinical protocols. A common question was how to purchase the starter kit and Lumorinse mouthwash product.

– Mr. Tero Pasanen and I received many thanks and compliments from young dental hygiene students because we have allowed them to learn about a new technology applied to dental prevention. As young students are the future of the oral health profession, it is important for them to learn the latest technologies and procedures that they can't find in the classic textbooks, Mr. Panzironi highlights.

The Dental Council of Spain reports that periodontal disease impacts 25.5% of adults aged 35-44, with a higher prevalence of 33% among those aged 65-74. Dental caries remains a concern in Spain, affecting 35% of young people aged 6-17.

– In my opinion, in the recent years there has been a greater attention to oral hygiene in Spain and this is also due to the presence on market of oral care products from international brands, Mr. Panzironi says.

The National Congress organized by HIDES is held annually in a different city of Spain attracting visitors from all over the country. The next 35th HIDES National Congress will take place on 4-5 October 2024 in Oviedo and will be hosted by HIDES Asturias.

Maintaining good oral health is essential for overall well-being and a healthy smile. Oral hygiene is essential for good dental health. Certain foods can also help improve oral health by promoting strong teeth, healthy gums, and fresh breath. Here are some tips for reaching better oral health and a brighter smile on World Smile Day:

Water: Staying hydrated is essential for saliva production. Saliva is an important defense mechanism in the mouth as it helps cleanse the mouth of bacteria and food particles. Adults should drink at least 1-1.5 liters per day, according to Jukka Meurman, Professor Emeritus of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases at the University of Helsinki. (1)

Dairy Products: Dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt are rich in calcium and phosphorus, which help strengthen tooth enamel. In addition to lactose, calcium, and phosphorus, milk proteins have also been shown to affect dental health. Caseins are the most abundant group of proteins in bovine milk and account for approximately 80% of the total milk protein. (2)

Crunchy Fruits and Vegetables: Consuming foods with fiber help keep your teeth and gums clean, says the American Dental Association (ADA). Foods like apples, carrots, celery, and cucumbers are high in fiber and require chewing, which stimulates saliva production, thus, helping to maintain a healthy smile. According to studies, fruit consumption is also inversely associated with periodontal disease. (3)

Leafy Greens: Spinach, kale, and other leafy greens are rich in vitamins and minerals like calcium, folic acid, and B vitamins that promote oral health. (4)

Lean Proteins: Foods like chicken, turkey, and lean cuts of beef contain phosphorus, which is essential for strong teeth and bones. Lean proteins are rich in essential amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. These amino acids are vital for the growth, repair, and maintenance of gum tissue. (5)

Nuts and Seeds: These provide healthy fats, protein, and minerals like calcium and phosphorus that are beneficial for oral health.

Green Tea: Green tea is one of the most popular beverages in the world, and it has received growing attention because of its many scientifically proven beneficial effects on human health. Green tea contains antioxidants called catechins that can help reduce inflammation in the mouth and fight bacteria. (6)

Xylitol: Xylitol is a natural sweetener having the properties that reduce levels of mutans streptococci (MS) bacteria in dental plaque and saliva. Streptococcus mutans is the main cause of dental decay. Chewing sugar-free gum with xylitol can stimulate saliva production and help reduce the risk of tooth decay. The recommended daily dose of xylitol for dental caries prevention is 6–10 g/day. (7,8)

Lingonberries: Lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis ideae L.) is a low-bush wild plant found in the northern hemisphere. The berries are used in traditional medicine in Finland to treat oral yeast infections. Lingonberries contain compounds similar to cranberries that may help prevent the adhesion of bacteria to the teeth, reducing the risk of cavities. Lingonberries are a promising natural approach with regards to their studied and recorded beneficial oral and general health effects via antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-proteolytic, anticancerous and antimicrobial effects. (8)

Unsweetened yogurt: Eating yogurt, particularly plain or low-sugar yogurt, can be beneficial for oral health and may help in controlling bad breath. Yogurt is a source of probiotics, which are beneficial bacteria that can help balance the oral microbiome. An imbalanced oral microbiome can contribute to bad breath (halitosis). The best yogurts for dental health are plain and Greek yogurts because they often contain the highest amount of probiotics. Yogurt is also high in calcium which helps to keep your teeth strong.(9)

Raising oral hygiene to the next level

While drinking water and consuming many foods can be beneficial for oral health, it is important to remember that overall oral hygiene practices, including regular brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups, are crucial for maintaining a healthy mouth. Additionally, reducing the consumption of sugary and acidic foods and beverages can help prevent tooth decay, gum disease, and dental erosion.

Controlling oral biofilm, or dental plaque, is critical to preventing oral diseases such as gingivitis, periodontitis, and tooth decay. Research has shown, however, that even a high-quality electric toothbrush removes only about 65% of the harmful bacteria in the mouth (10). 

Antibacterial Lumoral treatment enhances the effects of the toothbrush, and studies show that it also significantly improves in a preventive manner the results of professional oral care. Lumoral slows down plaque formation significantly reducing the burden of harmful bacteria in the mouth. (11)

User experience suggests that aPDT administered at home via the Lumoral® device may even improve dry mouth symptoms as it increases salivation. However, more scientific evidence is needed on the effect of the method on salivary secretion. New clinical trials on this topic are currently being initiated.

References: 

1.  https://smiledrs.com/the-oral-health-benefits-of-drinking-water/
2. Shkembi B, Huppertz T. Impact of Dairy Products and Plant-Based Alternatives on Dental Health: Food Matrix Effects. Nutrients. 2023 Mar 18;15(6):1469. doi: 10.3390/nu15061469. PMID: 36986199; PMCID: PMC10056336.
3. Nielsen SJ, Trak-Fellermeier MA, Joshipura K, Dye BA. Dietary Fiber Intake Is Inversely Associated with Periodontal Disease among US Adults. J Nutr. 2016 Dec;146(12):2530-2536. doi: 10.3945/jn.116.237065. Epub 2016 Oct 26. PMID: 27798338; PMCID: PMC5118764.
4. https://www.myperiopro.com/about-us/blog/2022/february/foods-that-boost-your-oral-health/
5. Jayasinghe TN, Harrass S, Erdrich S, King S, Eberhard J. Protein Intake and Oral Health in Older Adults-A Narrative Review. Nutrients. 2022 Oct 25;14(21):4478. doi: 10.3390/nu14214478. PMID: 36364741; PMCID: PMC9653899.
6. Chatterjee A, Saluja M, Agarwal G, Alam M. Green tea: A boon for periodontal and general health. J Indian Soc Periodontol. 2012 Apr;16(2):161-7. doi: 10.4103/0972-124X.99256. PMID: 23055579; PMCID: PMC3459493.
7. Nayak PA, Nayak UA, Khandelwal V. The effect of xylitol on dental caries and oral flora. Clin Cosmet Investig Dent. 2014 Nov 10;6:89-94. doi: 10.2147/CCIDE.S55761. PMID: 25422590; PMCID: PMC4232036.
8. Pärnänen P, Lähteenmäki H, Tervahartiala T, Räisänen IT, Sorsa T. Lingonberries-General and Oral Effects on the Microbiome and Inflammation. Nutrients. 2021 Oct 23;13(11):3738. doi: 10.3390/nu13113738. PMID: 34835994; PMCID: PMC8623866.
9. GF Ferrazzano, T Cantile, M Quarto, A Ingenito, L Chianese, F Addeo, Protective effect of yogurt extract on dental enamel demineralization in vitro, First published: 27 November 2008 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1834-7819.2008.00072.x
10. Pakarinen, Saila, et al. "Home-Applied Dual-Light Photodynamic Therapy in the Treatment of Stable Chronic Periodontitis (HOPE-CP)—Three-Month Interim Results." Dentistry Journal 10.11 (2022): 206
11. Neha Aggarwal, Sunil Gupta, Rashu Grover, Gunmeen Sadana, and Karan Bansal; Plaque Removal Efficacy of Different Toothbrushes: A Comparative Study, Int J Clin Pediatr Dent. 2019 Sep-Oct; 12(5): 385–390.  doi: 10.5005/jp-journals-10005-1669

In 2020, Espoo-based Koite Health launched Lumoral, a revolutionary device for oral health care at home. Today, on Sept. 21. 2023, the company launches a share issue via Invesdor's crowdfunding platform to support its strong growth. At the same time, there will be a directed share issue for interested institutional investors.

Koite Health Oy has so far been owned by three founders, well-known Finnish and foreign angel investors in the healthcare sector and the Pharmacy Pension Fund in Finland. Now the general public has the opportunity to become an owner in the success story of a Finnish growth company.

Lumoral is a clinically proven and CE-marked medical device for oral health that has already experienced strong growth in popularity in Finland. The company has already sold more than 10,000 units in Finland and Sweden in three years and gained strong support from the experts.   Since the spring, Lumoral has also been available in other European countries. Sales of the device are now growing strongly in markets such as Germany, Italy and the UK. New partners and distributors will be announced before the end of the year. The company's ambition is to bring the unique benefits of Lumoral to users and patients across Europe and, with future partners, to expand into the US and Asian markets.

Lumoral contributes to human well-being

Lumoral has a direct impact on human well-being. More than half of the Finnish population suffers from some degree of gingivitis. The situation is no better elsewhere. According to last November's WHO's Global Oral Health Status Report, nearly half of the world's population suffers from some form of oral disease, and the number of oral diseases has increased by one billion cases worldwide over the past 30 years.

Koite Health's health technology product offers the opportunity to prevent oral diseases and treat their severe forms .

Koite Health Oy's Board of Directors also includes Timo Hildén, who made a name for himself as CEO of the publicly traded Revenio Group Oyj.  Mr. Hildén was instrumental in building the growth story of Revenio, known for its ophthalmometer technology, and the company's market value increased by almost during his tenure.

Make sure you are part of the Finnish healthcare technology success story. Invest in a company that has already revolutionized home oral health care in Finland and around the world.

Click here to become a Lumoral shareholder.                                            

About Koite Health

Koite Health is a Finnish health technology company whose patented dual light therapy innovation has revolutionized oral health care for Finns. The company's expert team consists of experienced physicians and technologists. Founders Sakari Nikinmaa, Tommi Pätilä and Juha Rantala established Koite Health in September 2018 as part of a project funded by Business Finland and Aalto University.