Please activate JavaScript!
Please install Adobe Flash Player, click here for download
ePaper created 2015-11-27, 14:05:05 | version 1.38.0
By Jodie Heimbach, RDH, BS n Fluoride or no fluoride, compact toothbrush or full-size toothbrush, coronal polish first or polish last — the decisions necessary in the dental practice are numerous and many timesarebaseduponpersonalchoice. How and when does the dental pro- fessional decide whether to eliminate alcohol products from the practice or limit the recommendation of prod- ucts that contain a high quantity of alcohol? Thedebatecontinuesastowhether alcohol may be drying of the oral tis- sues, but substance-abuse disorders are part of the human condition and touch as many as one in four Ameri- can families.1 If you are considering a reduction in the amount of alcohol used within product recommendations, where should the dental professional begin? One of the most common prod- ucts the dental professional may recommend is chlorhexidine gluco- nate (CHX). CHX has been considered the gold standard for the reduction of biofilm and gingival inflamma- tion. Chlorhexidine is an antisep- tic mouthrinse that is bactericidal and effective against some forms of yeasts and viruses. Most chlorhexi- dine mouthrinses contain 11.6 per- cent alcohol. If one were seeking an alterna- tive to reduce alcohol by 11.6 per- cent, Sunstar Americas provides the clinician with GUM® Paroex® , the only FDA-approved alcohol-free 0.12 percent chlorhexidine gluconate mouthrinse.•• GUM Paroex To keep patients healthier and reduce the risk of allergies, many dental offices are now latex-free. In a similar principal, why not create an alcohol- free practice that will benefit the oral health of your patients without the irritation of alcohol? The GUM Paroex Chlorhexidine was tested beside Peridex® and Periogard® to evaluate the effective- ness compared with products that containalcohol.Resultsshowedthere was no difference in effectiveness between the alcohol-free and the oth- ers. The alcohol-free chlorhexidine was as effective as one containing alcohol in controlling plaque and reducing gingival inflammation.2 GUM Paroex is ideal for immune compromised patients challenged with mucositis or patients who are receiving head and neck radiation.3 GUM Paroex also can be considered as a postoperative treatment follow- ing periodontal procedures and for a pre-procedural rinse in the office to protect patients and the dental team by reducing airborne bacteria.4 Chlorhexidine may also be used in caries control programs. Because dental caries are a bacterial infec- tion, an antimicrobial such as chlo- rhexidine may be indicated to reduce caries.5 Additional concerns may be the individual who is suffering with xerostomia, ulcerative gingivitis and tissue damage; these conditions may be exacerbated by alcohol.6 Also con- sider treatment of the patients with alcohol dependency who may not reveal their full health history. Using a product with 11.6 percent alcohol is not necessary when there is an alcohol-free alternative that is clinically equivalent. Paroex is dispensed in a 16-oz. bottle that may be purchased at the dental office or by prescription from the local pharmacy. (A 4-oz. bottle was introduced in 2014.) The dental professional can feel secure in dis- pensing an FDA-approved alcohol- free chlorhexidine to patients for periodontal maintenance, immuno- sup-pressed conditions, post-surgical care and pre-procedural rinsing. GUM Rincinol GUM Rincinol® is a mouthrinse that provides whole-mouth relief. It is the first non-prescription bio-adherent mucosal coating for long-lasting soft- tissue pain relief. The pain relief may occur in less than three minutes and has been reported to last for up to six hours. In addition, it does not contain alcohol or benzocaine. The lack of alcohol and benzocaine will reduce stinging, burning sensa- tions or any post-treatment numbing effects. GUM Rincinol will comfort patients with apthous ulcers and den- ture sores and provide relief for irri- tation from orthodontic appliances, removable prosthetics, post-oral sur- gery, scaling and/or root planning procedures, mucositis, xerostomia and any other intraoral irritation. Many dental professionals recom- mend the soothing rinse for use with those undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments. GUM Rincinol promotes healing because it contains aloe. It is safe for use in adults and children ages 6 and older and is even safe if accidentally ingested. Each application lasts up to six hours but will depend on the daily diet regimen. The product may be purchased in a pack of individual sachets or 4-oz. bottles from the dental office. The 4-oz. bottles are available in most major drug store chains. At the end of your day, when you must decide whether to eliminate alcohol products from your practice or limit the recommendation of prod- ucts that contain a high quantity of alcohol, consider the alternatives offered by Sunstar GUM. References 1. ADA website, September 7, 2014, www.ada.org/en/membercenter/ member-benefitslhealth-and- wellness-information/substance- abuse-disorder. 2. Leyes Borrajo, JL, Garcia Varela, L, Rodrigues-Nunez, I., Gar- cia Figueroa, M, Galls Torreira, M., Efficacy of Chlorhexidine Mouthrinses With and Without Alcohol: A Clinical Study. J Peri- odontal) 2002 March. 3. CachhllloD.,BarkerBF.Lateeffects of head and neck radiation therapy and patient-dentist compliance with recommended dental care. Spec Care dent 1993, 13:159-169 4. Fares, M., Figueiredo, LC., Faveri, M., Stewart, B., DeVizio, W. Nov:62(11):649-51. The effective- ness of a preprocedural mouth- rinse containing cetylpyridinum chloride in the dental office, J.Periodntl1991 Nov:62(11):649-51. 5. Emilson, CG, Potential Efficacy of Chlorhexidine Agent against Mutans Streptococci and Human Dental Caries, JDR March 1994, Vol 73, no 3. 6. Blanco-Carrion A, Rodrigues- Nunez I, Gandara-Rey JM. Lopez- Lopez J. A new mouthrinse formu- lation for painful lesions of the oral mucosa (In Spanish). Rev Eur Odontol Estamatol1996; 3:169-72. *** For important safety informa- tion on GUM Paroex: us--professional. gumbrand.com/gumr-chlorhexidine- gluconate-oral-rinse-609.html. exhibitors22 Greater New York Dental Meeting — Nov. 29, 2015 Offering your patients alcohol-free products Here at the GNYDM Check out GUM Paroex and GUM Rincinol at the Sunstar booth, No. 3828. 5 Sunstar Americas provides the clinician with GUM Paroex, the only FDA-approved alcohol-free 0.12 percent chlorhexidine gluconate mouthrinse. (Photo/Provided by Sunstar Americas)