In the field of dental care, changes are constant as fresh ideas shape the industry. A recent collaboration agreement between Finland’s Koite Health Ltd and Trading Co., Ltd. from Thailand is set to revolutionize dental care standards by introducing innovative light-activated technology to the country.

Founded in 2017, Innodent has been at the forefront of delivering cutting-edge dental solutions to Thailand's healthcare sector. Driven by a commitment to leverage the latest advancements in high-tech solutions, the company aims to provide the most innovative technologies to the dental industry. This strategic vision led to a partnership with Koite Health, and the introduction of Lumoral, a Finnish med-tech innovation, to the dental market in Thailand.

– The introduction of Lumoral to Innodent's product portfolio was the result of a personal recommendation from Dr. Hildebrand, a renowned maxillofacial surgeon from Berlin. Dr. Hildebrand's successful clinical experiences with Lumoral convinced the team at Innodent to explore this revolutionary technology further, explains Thomas Constantin, CEO and owner of Innodent Trading Co., Ltd.

Lumoral: an innovative personal healthcare device

So, what exactly is Lumoral, and how does it work? Mr. Constantin reminds that the close link between oral bacteria and overall health and well-being is an important factor that sparked interest in the Finnish oral health-enhancing innovation in the first place.

– Oral bacteria can cause dental caries and bad breath but there can also be more severe secondary effects such as cardiovascular diseases, dementia, psoriasis and many more. Overall health starts with a healthy mouth. It is therefore important to regularly clean the mouth thoroughly.

Lumoral is an innovative personal healthcare device designed to remove 99.9% of harmful oral bacteria while preserving the healthy mouth flora. Traditional oral hygiene methods can only remove approximately 60% of bacteria, leaving behind a significant risk of oral health issues, Thomas explains.

Lumoral's advanced technology utilizes color molecules in its Lumorinse mouth rinse, which adhere to harmful oral bacteria attached to teeth surfaces and gum tissue in the mouth. Subsequently, the light emitted by the mouthpiece reacts with the green sensitizer, effectively breaking down the cell membrane of bacteria and destroying them both from inside and outside. This method ensures the eradication of harmful bacteria without the risk of resistance development.

Long-term benefits for implant patients

The addition of Lumoral to Innodent's product portfolio aligns with the company’s focus on dental implantology, with a specialization in ceramic implants. While the industry predominantly utilizes titanium implants, scientific evidence suggests a significant risk of peri-implantitis, an inflammation of the tissues surrounding these metal implants, over time.

– Lumoral presents a solution to mitigate this risk, offering long-term benefits for implant patients, Constantin says.

Furthermore, Lumoral's versatility extends beyond implant care, offering benefits for individuals with various oral health concerns, including chronic bad breath, gum disease, and orthodontic patients wearing braces or clear aligners.

– This accessibility makes Lumoral an invaluable addition to Innodent's offerings, catering to a diverse range of dental needs in Thailand.

– The great advantage of Lumoral however, is that everyone benefits from removing harmful oral bacteria. Whether you are wearing braces or clear aligners, suffer from chronic bad breath, gum disease or simply want to have a perfectly clean and healthy mouth, Lumoral is your solution.

Promising prospects for both companies

The collaboration between Koite Health and Innodent holds promising prospects for both companies and dental patients in Thailand. Mr. Constantin says that for Innodent, this partnership marks a significant expansion into the business-to-consumer (B2C) market, enabling the company to reach individual consumers through online channels like their dedicated webshop.

– This shift opens new avenues for marketing and sales, enhancing accessibility to innovative dental solutions for patients across the country. Ultimately, the collaboration aims to raise awareness about oral health and its crucial role in overall well-being among the Thai population.

– By introducing Lumoral's advanced technology to the market, Koite Health and Innodent are paving the way for a new era of dental care in Thailand, one that prioritizes prevention, innovation, and improved patient outcomes.

Duodecim, Finland's leading medical association, has published the book "The Healing Power of Medicine" (Lääketieteen Parantava Voima), which presents Finnish advancements in healthcare for disease prevention, easier diagnosis, and more effective treatment. The book also introduces Lumoral treatment, an antibacterial oral hygiene method recognized as one of Finland's significant breakthroughs in dentistry.

Edited by Emerita Professor Anne Pitkäranta, Professor Kaija-Leena Kolho, and Emeritus Professor Kimmo Kontula, the book emphasizes the importance of scientific research in society and its impact on healthcare outcomes. 

The book highlights the antibacterial Lumoral method, now available in 16 European countries. In the article "Light for Teeth" (Valoa hampaille), one of the developers of Lumoral, a specialist in heart and organ transplant surgery, Dr. Tommi Pätilä, discusses the method's origin and its potential to revolutionize oral health on both individual and societal levels.

"Dental and periodontal diseases are among the most common chronic infectious diseases worldwide. Chronic inflammation of the supporting tissues of the teeth, periodontitis, is considered a public health problem due to its prevalence as the sixth most common disease globally," Dr. Pätilä points out.

Lumoral is an antibacterial and light-activated oral hygiene method used as part of a regular oral hygiene routine, alongside brushing and interdental cleaning. Research shows that Lumoral treatment slows plaque formation and significantly reduces the number of bacteria in the mouth, which contribute to gum inflammation.

According to Dr. Pätilä, incorporating light-activated and antibacterial treatment into daily oral hygiene routines enhances the effectiveness of tooth cleaning, especially when traditional oral hygiene methods fall short.

"Lumoral treatment is suitable for everyone but is particularly beneficial for individuals with oral health issues. The method also freshens breath. Its antimicrobial effect targets harmful bacteria in the mouth while preserving the normal bacterial flora that maintains oral health," Dr. Pätilä explains.

Rapid Diagnosis - Effective Disease Management

Dr. Tommi Pätilä also contributes to another article in the book, "Finnish Oral Medicine Innovations Enable Rapid Diagnosis and Plaque Control for Gum Disease" (Suomalaiset suulääketieteelliset innovaatiot mahdollistavat iensairauden pikadiagnostiikan ja plakkikontrollin). The article discusses significant Finnish advancements, particularly in diagnosing and treating severe gum diseases. The article also emphasizes the connection between periodontitis and various systemic diseases. Therefore, early detection and treatment of the disease are crucial.

To expedite the diagnosis of periodontitis, researchers from the University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital have developed chairside testing based on active matrix metalloproteinase-8 (aMMP-8) markers. The test complements the diagnosis of periodontitis and peri-implantitis and monitors treatment response and maintenance. It can be performed by a healthcare professional or independently by the patient at home, similar to COVID-19 antigen or traditional pregnancy tests.

Dr. Pätilä highlights that untreated periodontitis or peri-implantitis sustains and intensifies the body's low-grade systemic inflammation and is associated with several systemic diseases. Therefore, early diagnosis of gum diseases is essential. Rapid diagnosis also allows for the prompt initiation of effective treatment, halting or preventing disease progression. With the Lumoral method, patients can enhance their self-care at home.

"Low-grade inflammation is a condition where the body reacts to irritation by secreting mediators. Although the body's 'muted' inflammation is not a disease in itself, prolonged inflammation becomes harmful to health, especially in the aforementioned systemic diseases," Dr. Pätilä says.

Poor oral health incurs additional diseases for both individuals and society, emphasizes Professor Timo Sorsa, professor of oral and maxillofacial diseases at the University of Helsinki and developer of the aMMP-8 rapid test.

"Finnish dental and periodontal diagnostic and therapeutic inventions may significantly impact the detection, treatment, and prevention of the world's sixth most common disease, periodontitis/peri-implantitis. They also enable plaque and gum disease control," states an article in book.

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"The Healing Power of Medicine - 100 Stories from Cells to Applications," edited by Emerita Professor Anne Pitkäranta, Professor Kaija-Leena Kolho, and Emeritus Professor Kimmo Kontula, 1st edition 2024, 365 pages, paperback

"The Healing Power of Medicine," edited by Emerita Professor Anne Pitkäranta (right), Professor Kaija-Leena Kolho, and Emeritus Professor Kimmo Kontula, is a testament to the importance of research in society. Vilja Harala (Duodecim)

Recent studies indicate that a vegetarian diet may increase the risk of tooth decay and erosion. The exact reasons for this are not fully understood, but several factors may contribute to it. However, there are smart ways to avoid these problems - here are the best tips!

"One of the dangers of a vegetarian diet may be that it may contain highly processed foods, such as meat substitutes. These foods often contain refined carbohydrates that break down into acidic products. This, in turn, can promote the dissolution of minerals in tooth enamel and thus the formation of cavities," says Ludwig Hansson, a dentist and specialist in prosthetics from the Göta Tandvård dental clinic in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Many people equate a vegetarian diet with a healthy diet, and this may be true in many respects - but not always for dental health.

"There is a risk that it may not be as easy to achieve a feeling of satiety with a vegetarian diet, which may increase the number of daily meals. This also increases the strain on the teeth," says Ludwig Hansson.

Avoid Acidic Foods

Another risk for vegetarians is consuming acidic foods and drinks such as fruits and juices.

"For example, green apples and some juices are very acidic. They may have benefits in many other ways, but the acidity can be very taxing on the teeth. If you eat such foods frequently, there is a risk that the enamel will be damaged in a corrosive way," warns Hansson.

However, it is possible to combat acid attacks - if you act preemptively.

"Studies have shown that, for example, eating a piece of cheese before consuming acidic foods prevents cavities. Cheese is alkaline and fatty, thus forming a protective layer on the teeth," adds Hansson.

Lumoral light-activated treatment helps maintain oral health

Those following a vegan diet also face the risk of nutrient deficiencies, which can increase the risk of periodontal disease or tooth loss.

"Immune system deficiencies can ultimately lead to tooth loss. The most common deficiency among vegans is vitamin B12, which affects the body's immune system," notes Hansson.

Therefore, vegans may need additional supplements for essential minerals and vitamins. Otherwise, the same tips for preventing cavities and tooth loss apply to vegetarians as they do to others.

"Do not eat too often, avoid excessive consumption of sugar, carbohydrates, and acidic foods, and clean your teeth thoroughly. Also, avoid excessive consumption of processed foods," reminds Hansson.

The foundation of good oral health is always mechanical cleaning, with a toothbrush and dental floss or interdental brush. In addition, there are other aids in the form of a light-activated treatment. The Lumoral method, developed in Finland, eliminates 99.99 percent of harmful bacteria from the mouth.

"By brushing your teeth, you remove about 65 percent of the bacteria present on the teeth surfaces and gum line. Lumoral's light-activated treatment is easy to administer and it removes virtually all harmful bacteria. It can be a crucial complement for those who, due to factors such as a vegetarian diet, are at greater risk of cavities and oral health issues," says Ludwig Hansson.