The Finnish oral health innovation, Lumoral, has sparked significant interest in the academic community, with several new studies launching in recent months. Mikko Kylmänen, Research Manager at Koite Health Oy, provides updates on Lumoral's latest clinical research.

Currently, there are 11 ongoing clinical studies across Finland, Sweden, Estonia, and Lithuania investigating the Lumoral method. Five of these are funded by Koite Health Ltd, while the rest are conducted by independent academic research teams. The studies cover topics such as periodontitis, peri-implantitis, orthodontics, oral lichen planus, and the prevention of oral diseases in youth.

In 2024, two new academic research teams will start their Lumoral studies. One study will examine the impact of improved oral hygiene on managing and preventing periodontitis in patients with diabetes. Another study will focus on enhancing oral hygiene for elderly individuals living at home or receiving home care.

In Italy, two research groups are advancing their Lumoral studies: The University of Turin is investigating the prevention of oral mucositis symptoms caused by radiation therapy, and Sapienza University in Rome is studying methods to alleviate early symptoms of peri-implantitis. Additionally, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals in Chennai, India, is planning to start a Lumoral study in 2024 focused on treating oral mucositis related to cancer therapies.

Research on oral mucositis is particularly significant, as no existing medication has successfully prevented its development. Mucositis, an inflammation of the oral mucosa associated with cancer treatments such as radiation and chemotherapy, causes severe pain, redness, and swelling, which can negatively impact the success of cancer treatment. Recent findings suggest that light-activated antibacterial therapy may be an effective way to manage this condition.

Recent Lumoral Studies Initiated in Early 2024:

1. HEALTHIER (Sweden): This study evaluates Lumoral's effectiveness in treating peri-implantitis and is conducted at the private Södertandläkarna clinic in Stockholm, Sweden, with 80 participants.
2. LumOsteo: This research examines Lumoral's role in preventing complications related to implant placement. It is being conducted at the Hammaslääkärit Eteläranta 10 clinic in Helsinki, Finland, with 40 participants.
3. Tartu University Plaque Study (Estonia): This crossover study compares two different oral hygiene methods and their effects on oral health. It is taking place at Tartu University in Estonia, where participants will alternate between using Lumoral and not using it to provide comparative results.

The HEALTHIER and LumOsteo studies are in their early stages, and precise timelines for results depend on factors such as patient recruitment. However, results from the Tartu plaque study are expected by the end of the year.

Summary of Previous Research Findings:

• Pilot Study on Peri-Implantitis (2022): Showed promising results in treating implant-related inflammations with Lumoral, including significant reductions in plaque and gum bleeding without side effects.
• Case Report on Periodontitis (2022): Demonstrated that Lumoral's antibacterial light treatment effectively eliminated harmful oral bacteria and improved severe periodontal disease outcomes.
• Clinical Randomized Study on Periodontitis (2022): Indicated significant improvements in periodontitis treatment outcomes when Lumoral was added to daily care.
• Clinical Randomized Study on Peri-Implantitis (2022): Observed reduced plaque, bleeding, and gum pocket sizes in Lumoral users compared to controls.
• Randomized Study on Oral Hygiene in Elderly Care (2023): Found that light-activated Lumoral treatment improved oral health and moisture in elderly individuals residing in 24-hour care facilities.
• Plaque Study in Healthy Adults (2023): Revealed that using Lumoral twice a week significantly reduced biofilm compared to a control group.

Innovation in Focus:

The ongoing and completed studies highlight Lumoral's versatile applications in improving oral health across various demographics and conditions. Mikko Kylmänen emphasizes that Lumoral's research opens new opportunities in oral care development. The company is proud to advance health and well-being through innovative solutions and looks forward to potential future applications of Lumoral.

For more information on Lumoral's research and effects, visit www.lumoralpro.com.

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.