A new way to protect a healthy smile
Featured Products Promotional FeaturesPosted by: Dental Design 1st December 2023
Breakthrough dental foam protects teeth underneath plastic aligners, retainers and mouth guards
More and more people are investing in their smiles. According to the British Orthodontic Society (BOS), over three quarters of orthodontists have reported an increase in adult patients seeking orthodontic treatment within the past three years.[i]
The rise of online working and video calls is having an impact with over half of orthodontists saying this is a factor for treatment. In addition, over a third say their adult patients are influenced by celebrities.
The number of patients wearing orthodontic devices therefore is also on the rise. And while oral care plays a crucial role in maintaining the good dental and overall health of everyone, for orthodontic patients, proper oral hygiene is even more important.
Dental challenges
Patients who wear aligners face additional dental challenges because orthodontic devices provide an ideal surface for plaque accumulation.
The accumulation of plaque poses several risks to oral health. Firstly, it can lead to dental caries. Additionally, bacteria in plaque can cause gingivitis. If not addressed, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis.[ii]
Wearing aligners and retainers alters the normal flow of saliva in the mouth too. The natural defender of tooth enamel, saliva neutralises acids in the mouth that break down enamel and protects the tooth’s surface from demineralisation, a common side effect during orthodontic treatment.[iii]
Curaprox Aligner Foam, developed by Swiss oral health company Curaden, offers a solution to these challenges.
Curaprox Aligner Foam is an innovative new product that restores, protects and remineralises the teeth under the aligner, creating a moisturising, protective film that feels silky smooth. Through its antibacterial properties, the foam also helps to fight bad breath and plaque build-up, preventing any potential dental problems and gingival disease.
Advanced formula
It boasts an advanced formula utilising hydroxyapatite to relieve sensitivity and support the saliva’s ability to remineralise tooth enamel. Together with hyaluronic acid, a moisture-binding substance that forms a hydrating film on the teeth, it creates a protective barrier that prevents the loss of moisture and helps keep the teeth hydrated.
The formulation also contains magnolol, a bioactive compound found in the bark and leaves of the magnolia tree. It has a strong antibacterial effect against 
Streptococcus mutans. The foam also features CITROX®, an antimicrobial ingredient naturally-derived from bitter oranges that is combined with polylysine amino acids together with cyclodextrine.
Further antibacterial protection is derived from Curaprox Aligner Foam’s use
of an enzymatic system with amyloglucosidase and glucose oxidase. This helps to hydrolyse starch and glycogen in food particles, converting them into soluble glucose. This reduces the potential food sources for cariogenic bacteria. By breaking down these carbohydrates, amyloglucosidase helps to reduce the risk of dental caries.[iv] Glucose oxidase converts glucose into gluconic acid and hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide has antimicrobial properties and can help kill harmful bacteria in the oral cavity.
Curaprox Aligner Foam can be used in two ways. Patients can either use the foam in the aligners themselves or directly into their mouths after brushing their teeth. A small amount of the foam is enough to naturally remineralise and protect the mouth and teeth during a treatment.
Boasting a refreshing mint flavour, Curaprox Aligner Foam comes in a handy, travel-friendly pack for easy, on-the-go use and is suitable for protecting teeth under plastic aligners, splints, retainers and sports gum shields.
Proper oral hygiene not only benefits the teeth and gums, but it also helps prolong the lifespan of orthodontic devices. Cleaning aligners and retainers regularly reduces the risk of damage, such as warping, cracking, or discolouration. Brushing them with a soft toothbrush, using mild soap, or using a retainer cleaning tablet can help maintain their cleanliness and integrity. Patients should be reminded to always handle their devices with clean hands and avoid exposing them to excessive heat or wrapping them in tissues, as this can lead to bacterial growth.
Oral care is of utmost importance for individuals who wear aligners and retainers. By practising thorough oral hygiene, including regular brushing, flossing and keeping their devices clean, orthodontic patients can prevent plaque formation, tooth discolouration, bad breath, and maintain good overall oral health. Taking these necessary steps will not only promote a healthy smile but also prolong the lifespan of the aligners themselves.
Learn more about how Curaprox Aligner Foam can help your orthodontic patients by visiting the website today!
For more information, please visit http://www.curaden.co.uk/
[i] British Orthodontic Society https://www.bos.org.uk/news/new-stats-from-the-british-orthodontic-society-reveal-online-working-triggers-a-rise-in-adults-seeking-tooth-straightening-treatment [August 2023]
[ii] Vyas T, Bhatt G, Gaur A, Sharma C, Sharma A, Nagi R. Chemical plaque control – A brief review. J Family Med Prim Care. 2021 Apr;10(4):1562-1568. doi: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_2216_20. Epub 2021 Apr 29. PMID: 34123892; PMCID: PMC8144784.[Accessed October 2023]
[iii] Tiwari M. Science behind human saliva. J Nat Sci Biol Med. 2011 Jan;2(1):53-8. doi: 10.4103/0976-9668.82322. PMID: 22470235; PMCID: PMC3312700. [Accessed October 2023]
[iv] Paes Leme AF, Koo H, Bellato CM, Bedi G, Cury JA. The role of sucrose in cariogenic dental biofilm formation–new insight. J Dent Res. 2006 Oct;85(10):878-87. doi: 10.1177/154405910608501002. PMID: 16998125; PMCID: PMC2257872. [Accessed October 2023]
