The Finnish oral health innovation, Lumoral, will be presented at the upcoming Scandinavian Society of Periodontology (ScSP) Conference in Visby, Sweden, from August 22-25, 2024. This conference will focus on the latest developments in periodontal disease and treatments, with an emphasis on collaborative approaches in patient care.

At the event, key topics related to periodontology will be addressed, offering new insights for dental professionals, including specialists, general dentists, and dental hygienists. Koite Health Ltd, the Finnish health tech company behind Lumoral, will showcase how the antibacterial device is transforming preventive dental care across Europe and Asia.

About Lumoral

Lumoral is an oral health device utilizing dual light therapy, intended for use alongside regular tooth brushing. It is especially beneficial for individuals with periodontitis or those at risk for cavities, providing a scientifically proven antibacterial effect. Lumoral is a Class II medical device and CE-certified.

Conference Highlights

The ScSP Conference will feature a keynote from Professor Moritz Kebschull on advancements in periodontal classification and treatment guidelines. Professor Kajsa Henning Abrahamsson will present strategies for enhancing patient motivation, a critical component of effective periodontal care. The event will also spotlight young researchers, exploring topics like the connection between periodontal health and cognitive decline in dementia patients.

The second day will focus on regional trends in periodontal disease. Presentations by Associate Professors Shariel Sayardoust and Christian Damgaard will offer insights into the latest data from Sweden and Denmark, respectively. Additionally, Professor Charlota Pisinger will discuss the impact of new nicotine products on oral health and provide guidance for healthcare professionals in helping patients quit.

Lumoral’s Growing Research Base

Lumoral’s antibacterial technology has garnered academic interest, with 11 ongoing clinical studies across Finland, Sweden, Estonia, and Lithuania. These studies cover various topics, including periodontitis, peri-implantitis, and orthodontic care.

"We are honored to participate in the Scandinavian Society of Periodontology Conference, reinforcing our commitment to advancing periodontal care. We look forward to engaging with experts and sharing insights on how Lumoral can complement dental professionals’ efforts," said Mrs. Helen Huttunen, responsible for Lumoral sales in Sweden.

The Scandinavian Society of Periodontology

With over 150 members, the ScSP promotes the development of periodontology across the Nordic countries. It supports ongoing education and fosters collaboration among Scandinavian periodontists while maintaining traditional values.

Finnish health technology company Koite Health Oy has signed a distribution agreement with Polish company HealthHub Pharma for its Lumoral oral health enhancing method. The partnership, which commenced in June 2024, will introduce the innovative Lumoral technology to the Polish market, which has around 40 million residents. The target audience includes health-conscious consumers, dental professionals, and dental clinics.

HealthHub Pharma is known for distributing and marketing innovative medical products in Poland. Wojciech Ślusarczyk, the company’s Business Development Manager, commented, "Lumoral is a valuable addition to our product range, marking our shift towards innovative and preventive dental therapies. The clinical background of Lumoral distinguishes it from other medical-grade dental products on the market."

Lumoral utilizes light-activated antibacterial technology to enhance oral hygiene and prevent oral diseases. Designed for home use, Lumoral helps reduce bacterial load in the mouth, slow plaque formation, and improve overall oral health. The product’s clinical validation ensures its effectiveness in maintaining oral health and preventing and treating common oral diseases such as gingivitis, periodontitis, and cavities.

Market Trends Support Lumoral Demand

According to Ślusarczyk, Poland's dental market is shifting towards preventive oral care, following the examples of Nordic countries and other Western nations, which could boost Lumoral’s sales.

"With 96% of the population suffering from tooth decay and up to 70% experiencing gum diseases, Lumoral has a significant opportunity. Our target groups include private dental practices, medical supply stores, wholesalers, and pharmacies. We are committed to excellent customer service and our customers can also order the Lumoral product directly from the www.lumoral.pl website."

Ślusarczyk outlined the company’s marketing strategy: "We are reaching out to dental practices, collaborating with wholesalers, and utilizing social media. Our marketing program, which includes offering free samples to clinics, is designed to gather feedback and build long-term relationships. We will also be participating in a number of notable dental trade fairs, including the prominent Krakdent fair that will take place in Kraków next April."

He added, "Although some professionals may be cautious about new technologies, we have not received negative feedback. We are also looking forward to the launch of Lumoral’s clinical device, which will enable its use as an adjunctive tool in dental practices. We strongly highlight six flagship indications of Lumoral (periodontitis, gingivitis, caries, orthodontics, implant health and halitosis, in which we would like to present our crucial supportive role of this medical device.”

Ślusarczyk also mentioned that Lumoral Junior, a version designed for children, will be available in the Polish market. Lumoral Junior is suitable for children aged 4–12, and children over 12 can switch to the adult Lumoral device. "We believe Lumoral Junior is a significant addition to the market and reflects our comprehensive approach to preventive dental care."

Broad Health Benefits of Lumoral

Ślusarczyk emphasized Lumoral's broader health benefits: "Oral health significantly impacts overall health, including diabetes management. Our goal is to enhance the understanding and prevention of oral diseases by providing innovative products like Lumoral."

The future of preventive dental care in Poland looks promising and Koite Health’s innovative Lumoral device addresses the needs of this evolving market, Ślusarczyk said.

Ślusarczyk explained: "Patient access to preventive care is likely to improve, potentially reducing the prevalence of oral diseases. This is crucial as over 96% of the population suffers from tooth decay."

Lumoral is user-friendly and designed for home use, fitting well with the growing trend of at-home preventive care. " Lumoral allows patients to take care of their own oral health and support dentists in their medical management, maintaining patients' good health during the treatment period," Ślusarczyk emphasized.

He also noted recent regulatory changes in Poland’s dental market, which could accelerate the shift towards preventive oral care by dental hygienists in Poland also creates opportunities for Lumoral. "Lumoral could be a valuable tool also for dental hygienists, helping them provide high-quality preventive care to their patients," Ślusarczyk noted.

"We are optimistic about Lumoral’s future in Poland, where the market is ripe for innovative solutions that can advance preventive care," Ślusarczyk concluded.

  "Our goal is to enhance the understanding and prevention of oral diseases by providing innovative products like Lumoral, " says Wojciech Ślusarczyk, Business Development Manager at HealthHub Pharma.

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.