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Oral Hygiene in Schools

Oral Hygiene in Schools

Cavities, Further Reading

Dental cavities remain one of the major health issues in industrialized countries, affecting 60 to 90% of school-aged children and the majority of adults.

According to recent data from the Ministry of Health, the number of children with cavities has increased by 15% in recent years, making it still the most widespread disease worldwide.

Several factors have contributed to this growing trend: a poor diet high in sugar (cookies and snacks, fizzy drinks and sweets, candies, energy drinks), low consumption of fruits and vegetables, and often inadequate preventive care due to improper oral hygiene.

It is therefore essential to raise children’s awareness about dental health from an early age and to educate them on proper oral hygiene. Unfortunately, in recent years, many schools have introduced bans on bringing toothbrushes to class to prevent potential cross-contamination, making it even more challenging for teachers and dental hygienists to carry out educational programs.

In some schools, a medical certificate is even required for a child to brush their teeth at school.

This is where Cariex® comes in as the perfect “Desk Companion.” A convenient, all-natural spray that restores pH immediately after eating, completely preventing cavities, even for children with orthodontic braces. No more risks for young students.

Cariex®: from the Pharmacy to the School Bag!

How to Maintain Good Oral Hygiene and a Healthy Mouth Even at the Office

How to Maintain Good Oral Hygiene and a Healthy Mouth Even at the Office

Cavities, Dental Erosion, Further Reading

The holidays are over, and it’s back to the hectic pace of city life and work. Every minute counts, and good oral hygiene often takes a back seat.

A sandwich eaten quickly at the computer or a busy business lunch can make us forget to take care of our teeth. Not to mention children, who can no longer bring a toothbrush to school due to cross-infection concerns, leaving them without proper oral care for many hours.

As a result, a number of problems can arise:

  • CAVITIES: Every time we eat, pH levels drop, causing demineralization of tooth tissues. This exposes teeth to bacterial attacks, increasing the risk of cavities;
  • TOOTH EROSION: Acidic drinks and the constant lowering of pH also promote acid erosion, which wears down the tooth’s surface. This not only exposes the dentin – giving teeth a yellowish color – but also causes sensitivity issues;
  • BAD BREATH (HALITOSIS): This problem, besides being unpleasant for the person affected, can jeopardize social interactions and, over time, even affect workplace relationships;
  • STOMATITIS: Various types of oral inflammation can arise from bacterial proliferation in an acidic, unhygienic environment, often due to poor oral care.

Even when time is short, it is always advisable to maintain proper oral hygiene with a toothbrush and toothpaste — but when this is not possible, Cariex® dental spray comes to the rescue.

A few sprays of Cariex® immediately raise oral pH, inhibiting bacterial proliferation — a leading cause of stomatitis and halitosis — while preventing tissue demineralisation and, consequently, Cavities and Erosion.

One of the Most Significant Advances in Dental Hygiene

One of the Most Significant Advances in Dental Hygiene

Further Reading, Further Reading

Although the past few decades have seen significant advances in the promotion of dental prevention, and despite the important role played by dental hygienists in spreading correct behavioural habits, tooth decay remains the most widespread disease in the world. It manifests from childhood onwards and, in Italy, affects over 50% of children and almost 100% of the adult population.

While modern dentistry has made great strides in treating cavities with increasingly less invasive techniques, the same progress has not been achieved in focusing on disease prevention and in identifying the cofactors and behaviors involved in cavity development.

The primary trigger of tooth decay is, without doubt, acidic pH. The acidic environment is the first factor that must be neutralised. It is important to remember that the metabolic processes of the human body itself lead to continuous fluctuations in pH — for this reason, the Buffer System exists in the blood to prevent numerous conditions by maintaining pH in balance.

In the oral cavity, this role is performed by saliva, thanks to the bicarbonate it contains, whose key property is the neutralisation of acids. Every time we consume food or beverages, the salivary buffer system activates, and in a healthy individual, approximately 30 minutes are required to restore pH balance (Stephan Curve).

Salivary buffering is crucial for enamel remineralization, and studies show an inverse correlation between salivary buffering capacity and cavity formation.

Moreover, today’s increasingly hectic lifestyles, frequent snacking, and the widespread consumption of fizzy drinks are contributing to the steady rise of a new dental condition: dental erosion, also known as acid erosion. Erosion is the permanent and progressive loss of the hard tissues of the tooth due to chemical dissolution, caused by acidic substances of either endogenous origin (such as gastroesophageal reflux) or exogenous sources.

Thanks to collaboration with the University of Insubria in Varese, Cariex® was developed — a dental spray recognised as one of the most significant advances in the field of oral hygiene, capable of naturally supporting the salivary buffer system through the slow-release properties of bicarbonate and xylitol.

This is the first therapeutic product capable of restoring pH balance and maintaining a neutral oral environment. By doing so, it prevents the growth of acid-loving bacteria, protects teeth from demineralization, and provides effective prevention against cavities and dental erosion.

Mauro Turchetti

© 2014 by the YES Group, Inc – The Journal of Clinical Dentistry® – The International Journal of Oral Care Product Research: “Salivary pH After a Glucose Rinse: Effect of a New Mucoadhesive Spray (Cariex®) Based on Sodium Bicarbonate and Xylitol” – GM Abbate, DDS L Levrini, MS School of Dentistry and Oral Hygiene, University of Insubria Varese, Italy MP Caria, DDS, PhD Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet Stockholm, Sweden.

Mouth Ulcers Don’t Take a Holiday!

Mouth Ulcers Don’t Take a Holiday!

Further Reading, Further Reading, Oral Thrush, Oral Thrush

The holidays are approaching, we’re feeling increasingly tired, and the heat gives us no relief – then canker sores appear!

Mouth Ulcers (also known as Aphthous Ulcers, Oral Aphthae, or Aphthous Stomatitis) are temporary micro-lacerations of the oral mucosa, yet they often present in a particularly painful form. They appear as an ulcer with a white/yellow centre and bright red edges.

Their size can vary, typically ranging from 3 to 5 millimeters in diameter, and they usually develop on the inner cheeks, under the tongue, or behind the lips.

Mouth Ulcers: The Causes

There is no single cause for the appearance of canker sores, but they often result from a combination of factors, such as:

  • Periods of stress or nervous tension
  • Excessive heat
  • Deficiency of iron, vitamin B12, folic acid, or other nutrients
  • Food allergies or certain foods (e.g., chocolate)
  • Celiac disease
  • Hormonal changes or the menstrual cycle
  • Accidental injuries to the mucosa (e.g., biting the cheek, overly aggressive dental cleaning)

Heat and UV exposure can trigger their onset. Individuals prone to canker sores often notice them appearing more frequently during hot weather, especially on vacation days with significant sun exposure and irregular eating habits.

A Natural Remedy to Relieve Canker Sore Pain

Canker sores usually follow a natural course of a few days and disappear on their own. To support healing, it’s best to avoid alcohol, spicy foods, fried foods, acidic foods, or very hot foods.

A highly effective natural remedy – not only for canker sores but for the entire oral cavity – is sodium bicarbonate. Since a canker sore is an acidic ulceration, bicarbonate, being an alkaline salt, helps neutralize acidity, reducing pain and discomfort.

Cariex®, a mucoadhesive dental spray containing bicarbonate, eliminates unpleasant discomfort and, by restoring oral pH, helps prevent canker sores and stomatitis. Additionally, thanks to hyaluronic acid, an excellent lubricant and moisturizer ideal for inflammation, it soothes pain and accelerates the healing of ulcerative lesions.

Oral Hygiene on Holiday?

Oral Hygiene on Holiday?

Further Reading, Cavities, Cavities, Dental Erosion, Dental Erosion, Further Reading, Tooth sensitivity, Tooth sensitivity

Holidays are approaching, and with them, our usual oral hygiene routine often takes a little break.

Unfortunately, hot weather and prolonged sun exposure can contribute to bothersome inflammation, often causing sudden toothaches and sore gums. It’s important to stay vigilant, even when you’re far from home.

With the increasing consumption of cold and/or particularly sugary beverages, the risk of Cavities, Dental Erosion, and Sensitivity also grows exponentially.

Frequent snacks or drinks between meals don’t help either, as they constantly lower the pH in the mouth, leaving teeth exposed to prolonged demineralization and more vulnerable to acid attacks that cause erosion.

During long flights, when tap water is often unavailable, even brushing your teeth may be impossible.

In all of these cases, Cariex® will be your most trusted companion. A few sprays after eating immediately raise pH, preventing Cavities, Erosion, and Dentinal Hypersensitivity, while leaving you with a pleasant sensation of freshness.

Ask for It at Your Pharmacy and Pack It in Your Suitcase!

Swimmers and Dental Erosion: How to Protect Your Teeth

Swimmers and Dental Erosion: How to Protect Your Teeth

Dental Erosion, Tooth sensitivity

We’re always told that permanent teeth are meant to last a lifetime, so it’s only right that we take the best possible care of them. This is made possible by adopting a healthy, balanced lifestyle. However, there are situations in which this delicate balance is disrupted.

In this brief literature review, we examinedental erosion— that is, the progressive loss of tooth surface caused by a nonbacterial acid source— in swimmers.

Dental Erosion: Triggering Causes

The underlying cause lies inthe excessive acidity of the environment: for erosion to occur, the pH of the solution must be below 5.5 for enamel and below 6.0 for dentin.

This situation arises when the source of acidity is intrinsic (such as gastroesophageal reflux and episodes of vomiting) or extrinsic (caused by medications and dietary supplements). In addition to these two categories, we must also include those who may be or are exposed to acidic environments for professional reasons, such as swimmers.

It is worth noting that according to the latest WHO guidelines from 2006, the pH of swimming pool water using chlorine-based disinfectants should be maintained between 7.2 and 7.8, well above the 5.5 threshold mentioned earlier.

Not all swimmers or pools are under the same conditions, and ideally, swimmers should be in perfect dental health. Oral diseases negatively impact quality of life and can reduce performance during training and competition, causing pain, anxiety, lack of focus, and ultimately suboptimal results.

Dental Erosion: Professional vs. Amateur Swimmers

A further important distinction is between professional and amateur swimmers: competitive swimmers — those training for longer hours in the water — have shown a higher incidence of dental trauma and staining compared to non-competitive swimmers. This may be attributed to the chemical substances used to disinfect pool water and the time spent in swimming pools: physical exertion becomes sufficiently vigorous to allow contact between the water and dental surfaces. As a general rule, more than 6 hours of training per week are required to increase the risk of dental staining.

Some studies report cases where inconsistent pool pH control caused dental erosion – even severe cases within just two weeks. If this exposure is combined with the consumption of sports drinks, the risk of developing erosive lesions increases, although this remains debated in the literature.

The pathogenic mechanism of dental erosion is based on the dissociation of hydroxyapatite and the reduced mineralization of the dental hard tissue due to prolonged and frequent acid exposure.

In fact, our body neutralizes the effects of acid attacks by relying on the buffering capacity of saliva, which restores the proper pH in the oral cavity in approximately 30-40 minutes.

However, this ideal scenario is rarely reflected in daily sports practice, as exposure to the chemical agent can be prolonged, and salivary flow may also be reduced during intense physical exercise due to dehydration.

In fact, the likelihood of developing dental erosion was found to be 5.3 times higher among swimmers with more than three years of swimming experience.

The alarming aspect that warrants reflection is that over 80% of those surveyed did not consider their situation to be a cause for concern in terms of health, and therefore did not feel a dental visit was necessary. The only reason a swimmer visits the dentist for a check-up is due to problems of dentinal hypersensitivity caused by excessive erosion; this suggests that hypersensitivity may be a reliable indicator of dental erosion.

It is therefore the responsibility of the dental community — those tasked with monitoring the condition of the oral cavity — to proactively manage the onset of erosive lesions. The natural consequence of this is an effective approach to erosion management through screening for early signs of erosion and the assessment of all aetiological factors.
Dentists and dental hygienists must carefully evaluate the erosive potential of the various beverages and foods consumed by the patient, as well as exploring, through targeted questions, the patient’s sporting habits — which, as we have seen, are of fundamental importance.

How to Counteract Demineralisation and Dental Erosion

What alternatives do we have today?

First of all, the worst thing to do is to recommend brushing teeth immediately after swimming: this can be harmful because the tooth surface is softened by the acidic chlorine.

There are several alternatives, and as we’ll see, not all of them are practical in a competitive training setting.

The literature primarily suggests to take advantage of the remineralizing properties of milk and cheese as both contain higher concentrations of calcium and phosphate ions compared to saliva. A variation of this approach involves the use of fluoridated milk, which has been shown to provide protective effects against enamel erosion caused by low‑pH swimming pool water. Applying fluoridated milk both before and after erosive exposure yields the strongest protective benefits. Another option is fluoride itself, though its effectiveness against erosion remains somewhat controversial. Promising results have been observed only with high concentrations of fluoride found in varnishes and foams, rather than in everyday toothpastes.

Fluoride is well known for improving remineralisation and significantly reducing demineralisation in mildly acidic environments. Another alternative involves the adoption of solutions such as chewing gum containing bicarbonate, as it has been demonstrated that the combination of fluoride and bicarbonate considerably increases resistance to acids. However, it should be noted that excessive home use of bicarbonate can cause damage such as dental abrasion. The use of xylitol-containing chewing gum may also be considered: saliva stimulated by sugar-free gum has shown a remineralising action in erosive and abrasive processes. Finally, another useful practice is rinsing the oral cavity with water and sodium bicarbonate after each swimming session.

In conclusion, the use of a sodium bicarbonate spray such as Cariex® on the oral mucosa has proven to be above all the most practical and rapid solution; crucially, it allows for the control of the drop in salivary pH following carbohydrate consumption, contributing to the prevention of cavities and dental erosion.

The recommendation is to brush teeth thoroughly with a soft toothbrush before entering the water, spray Cariex® onto the oral mucosa and dental surfaces, and repeat the process every 40 minutes of training.

– Dr. Simone Bergomi –

For questions, please contact: simone.bergomi93@gmail.com

References

“Rinsing with antacid suspension reduces hydrochloric acid-induced erosion”
Maria do Socorro Coelho Alves, Taís Fonseca Mantilla, Enrico Coser Bridi, Roberta TarkanyBasting, Fabiana Mantovani Gomes França, Flávia Lucisano Botelho Amaral, Cecilia Pedroso Turssi.

“The effect of swimming on oral health status: competitive versus non-competitive athletes”
Simonetta D’Ercole, Marco Tieri, Diego Martinelli, and Domenico Tripodi

“The Effect of Swimming on Oral Ecological Factors”
S. D’Ercole, D. Tripodi

“Prevalence of Dentinal Hypersensitivity and Dental Erosion among Competitive Swimmers, Kerala, India”
Arun Rao, Susan Thomas, Jishnu Krishna Kumar, and Vivek Narayan
Author information Article notes Copyright and License information Disclaimer

“Saliva and dental erosion”
Marília Afonso Rabelo Buzalaf, Angélicas Reis Hannas, Melissa Thiemi Kato

“The Status of Mineralized Dental Tissues in Young Competitive Swimmers”
Wojciech Kaczmarek

“Rapid General Dental Erosion by Gas-Chlorinated Swimming Pool Water. Review of the Literature and Case Report”
W Geurtsen

“The Effect of Bicarbonate/Fluoride Dentifrices on Human Plaque pH”
J C Blake-Haskins, A Gaffar, A R Volpe, J Bánóczy, Z Gintner, C Dombi

“The Erosive Effects of Saliva Following Chewing Gum on Enamel and Dentine: An Ex Vivo Study”
E M Paice, R W Vowles, N X West, S M Hooper

“Prevention of Erosive Tooth Wear: Targeting Nutritional and Patient-Related Risks Factors”
M A R Buzalaf, A C Magalhães, D Rios

“Consensus Report of the European Federation of Conservative Dentistry: Erosive Tooth Wear–Diagnosis and Management”
T S Carvalho, P Colon, C Ganss, M C Huysmans, A Lussi, N Schlueter, G Schmalz, R P Shellis, A B Tveit, A Wiegand

“Chapter 9: Acidic Beverages and Foods Associated With Dental Erosion and Erosive Tooth Wear
Thiago Saads Carvalho, Adrian Lussi

“Salivary pH After a Glucose Rinse: Effect of a New Mucoadhesive Spray (Cariex) Based on Sodium Bicarbonate and Xylitol”
G M Abbate, L Levrini, M P Caria

“Effects of tannin-fluoride and milk-fluoride mixture on human enamel erosion from inappropriately chlorinated pool water”
Sumalee Boonviriya, Sissada Tannukit, Suwanna Jitpukdeebodintra

“Rapid and Severe Tooth Erosion from Swimming in an Improperly Chlorinated Pool: Case Report”
Colin Dawes, BSc, BDS, PhD; Carey L. Boroditsky, DMD

“Guidelines for Safe Recreational Water Environments – Swimming Pools and Similar Aquatic Environments” World Health Organization 2006 Edited by the SItI working group – Sports Sciences of the Italian Society of Hygiene, Preventive Medicine and Public Health

“Evidence for biofilm acid neutralization by baking soda”
Domenick T. Zero, DDS, MS ROLE