We know almost everyone who wears a dental appliance during sleep has reduced saliva flow, increased bacterial growth and a risk of acid reflux. It makes sense to use a night gel inside the appliances to help counteract the risks. A few articles/studies address these issues and add to the discussion:
Wearing retainers boosts growth of harmful bacteria- Singapore study 2021:
Use of Mouthwash boosts risks of Diabetes:
A recent study published in the American Journal of Orthodontics confirms the need to wear orthodontic retainers regularly- for life (not just for the first few years) - to help keep teeth straight Source: - https://www.ajodo.org/article/S0889-5406(18)30873-4/abstract
Independent Study by a respected Dental Product Review program rates 'Retainer Gel as a Top New Product' - https://www.cliniciansreport.org/products/dental-reports/cr-buying-guide-clinicians-report-december-2018-volume-11-issue-12
GERD
Damage to teeth under appliances occurs with GERD - QUOTE: If any teeth covered by an appliance become sensitive, the patient should return to their dentist for review, to include consideration of any erosive wear which may have been accentuated by the presence of the appliance(s), for example, acidic drinks or regurgitated stomach acid being retained between the fitting surface of the appliance and the teeth.
Dentist hygienist discovers she has GERD lists 'chronic decay' as one of many consequences- https://www.oralhealthgroup.com/features/mystery-solved-acid-reflux-oral-cavity/
"Night Shifts boost risk of GERD 1.4 TIMES" - increases risk of tooth damage - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4927591/
Obesity increases risk of GERD- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20202577/
"Silent Reflux" - https://www.healthline.com/health/silent-reflux
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/smoking-and-the-digestive-system
Ways to reduce Reflux - https://www.medicinenet.com/ways_to_relieve_acid_reflux/article.htm
(example: switch from carbonated water to plain)
28 Tips to reduce reflux - https://www.webmd.com/heartburn-gerd/features/28-tips-for-nighttime-heartburn-relief
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0147860
BULIMIA
Patients with Bulimia have higher rates of tooth decay - https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/1098-108X(199003)9:2%3C191::AID-EAT2260090208%3E3.0.CO;2-N?fbclid=IwAR3ZDDRN758rTDsPUm8VdREp2mqyNLbWVbl6T2m8Z_UkXPQX-SUzEQVK8EI
Marijuana & Dry Mouth
Questionable advice to suck on candy to treat dry mouth from weed (no mention of the idea of xylitol candy) - https://www.mic.com/life/why-weed-makes-your-mouth-feel-dry-what-to-do-about-it-27628918
https://docmj.com/blog/2020/01/13/cannabis-cotton-mouth-what-causes-it-how-to-avoid-it/
Medications that may cause a Dry Mouth
http://wsdha.com/clientuploads/pdfs/Public%20Info/Seniors/DryMouthMedications.pdf
XYLITOL
Xylitol reduces decay - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4232036/
Quote:
Xylitol decreases the incidence of dental caries by increasing salivary flow and pH13 and reducing the number of cariogenic (MS) and periodontopathic (Helicobacter pylori) bacteria, plaque levels, xerostomia, gingival inflammation, and erosion of teeth.14
Xylitol is well tolerated by the human body as a sweetener, but its absorption rate in the small intestine is very slow. Excess xylitol is known to induce osmotic diarrhea, indicating there is an upper limit to its dosage that can be tolerated.12 Optimal inhibition of S. mutans growth by xylitol occurs with its total daily consumption of 5–6 g at a frequency of three or more times per day. The plaque samples of habitual xylitol users showed a significant reduction in plaque adhesiveness and insoluble extracellular polysaccharides produced by S. mutans when compared with those who did not consume xylitol at all.12
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An anticaries effect of xylitol and sorbitol usage has been demonstrated and compared among primary and permanent teeth. The xylitol group had 27% fewer caries than the sorbitol group. This experiment also concluded that xylitol positively impacts permanent teeth.
WARNING: Xylitol is toxic to pets - https://www.aspca.org/news/updated-safety-warning-xylitol-how-protect-your-pets
BAKING SODA (Sodium Bicarbonate)
Long term use of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) virtually free of side effects - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30409952/
'Safe and effective' - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5773983/
Baking soda returns pH to neutral - https://jada.ada.org/article/S0002-8177(17)30822-X/fulltext
"Enamel is dissolved into calcium and phosphate components at a pH of 5.5 or less. The enamel of a tooth is composed of 95% dense, crystalline hydroxylapatite. Lactobacillus acidophilus bacteria produce a pH of 5.5. When bacterial plaque and bacteria remain on a tooth for more than five days (it can be picked up on an x-ray)."
- Dr. Carl Misch August 2016 Oral Health
How low does the pH of your patient's mouth get during sleep and can you trust a retainer to protect teeth from acid reflux without using a protective product like ours?
Check out this study on oral pH during mouth breathing sleep:
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/joor.12372/full
Have you heard of 'Silent Reflux' and the tooth damage that it can cause?
COMPARE COST:
A popular retainer foam cleaner that offers some whitening, but with no pH protection costs over 4.5 TIMES the price (based on volume) of our 'Retainer Gel' product. If you want to protect your teeth during sleep and deodorize your dental appliances while you wear them Retainer Gel is the clear winner. If you want to affordably whiten your teeth or use whitening gel as a weekly periodontal treatment our whitening product is the available.
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Television Programs demonstrate Extreme Damage from Mouth Acidity
1) Can my Rotten Teeth be Saved? - https://youtu.be/HD7_rPOnvEE
2) Decaying Teeth Needing Medical Attention - https://youtu.be/0QK4G_Bi-U8
3) Soda pop, smoking, chemotherapy dental damage topics discussed - https://youtu.be/0jAwjdSB90s
Discussion: Patients in both these programs could have avoided most of the damage shown by creative use of the preventive methods available today including use of protective gels in appliances and modification of certain habits (smoking, vomiting, diet, medical issues, dental homecare, regular professional treatment). Following the impressive dental treatment results as seen in the programs above it is important to know that modern dentistry will fail without continued use of effective modified dental and lifestyle habits and regular supervision by a trusted professional.
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