New sealant, mouth rinse formula, and curette

June 1, 2012
I am a huge proponent of sealants. I sure wish they had been available when I was young. I grew up in the generation ...

Shofu launches BeautiSealant

I am a huge proponent of sealants. I sure wish they had been available when I was young. I grew up in the generation where every molar got filled with a pit and fissure amalgam cross, and those teeth subsequently fractured and had to be crowned. Whether you’ve had this experience or not, I know many of you share my belief. Because sealants are such a good idea, I wanted to introduce you to the new BeautiSealant.

This is a tooth-colored, fluoride “recharging” pit and fissure sealant that has a self-etching primer, which means you can save time, be more productive, and deliver the service faster. BeautiSealant is filled with Shofu’s proprietary Surface Pre-Reacted Glass. The filler has proven to be cariostatic by neutralizing acid and inhibiting the growth of plaque biofilm.

The self-etching primer is the right consistency to get into deep pits and fissures, ensuring that enamel and dentin have a strong, long lasting bond. The well-designed syringe is easy to use, and the material is delivered smooth and bubble free. I love the fact that BeautiSealant is highly radiopaque, making follow up easier than ever.

For more information, contact Shofu Dental Corp. at (800) 827-4638 or visit www.shofu.com.

Introducing the Queen of Hearts

Paradise Dental Technologies recently introduced their new extended reach periodontal curette. The Queen of Hearts has long, fine cutting edges to allow for better access and adaptation during root planing. It has a lightweight, solid red resin handle for better tactile sensitivity. This curette is 100% made in the USA of the highest quality stainless steel with sharper, harder, tougher blades that last two to seven times longer than others. And best of all, PDT will make a donation to the American Heart Association for every curette that’s purchased. Check it out at www.pdtdental.com.

New SmartMouth formula

SmartMouth Activated Mouthwash has been available OTC for several years, but a new Advanced Clinical Formula (ACF) has become available. It still features all of the benefits of the original formula, plus the added benefit of an FDA-approved active ingredient that helps kill germs and prevent plaque biofilm.

If you are not familiar with SmartMouth products, let me warn you right off the bat that they have made some really big claims about their mouthwash. They state that SmartMouth is the “only mouthwash that kills germs and provides fresh breath for 12 hours,” “you can have fresh breath all day and wake up without bad breath, no morning breath,” and “mouthwash with clinically proven zinc ion technology.” The Better Business Bureau’s National Advertising Division reviewed the science and clinical studies and confirmed the statements. You can read the BBB report on their website. It’s pretty interesting how they approach the evaluation of the advertisers’ statements.

It turns out the secret can be found in the chemistry. Solution 1 (sodium chlorite, an odor eliminator) and Solution 2 (zinc chloride) when mixed together generate a very high concentration of “free zinc ions.” These ions have the ability to penetrate biofilm and block the production of new volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs). Many mouthwashes eliminate the existing VSCs, and others kill the bacteria responsible for the VSCs. Only ACF eliminates existing VSCs and prevents the bacteria from producing new ones.

There are published peer reviews and clinical studies supporting SmartMouth’s claims. (You can learn about them in the BBB report on their website). At the bottom line, the studies indicate that SmartMouth produced halimeter readings below 50 ppb, which means little or no malodor was detected, and those readings were sustained over a 12-hour period, which no other mouthwash could do.

So, in addition to the benefits of fresh-breath and reduced bacteria, the new Advanced Clinical Formula fights and prevents plaque, gingivitis, and gum disease. It’s minty fresh, alcohol free, and safe for children and diabetics. Visit www.smartmouth.com and print the coupon to save $2 on SmartMouth mouthwash to try it for yourself.

As always, e-mail me at [email protected] about your favorite products and how you use them. RDH

Kim Miller, RDH, BSDH, is the co-founder of PerioFrogz.com, which provides current oral-systemic research summaries and patient education downloads. She speaks internationally, provides hands-on training, writes articles and webinars, and practices dental hygiene in Redding, Calif. Contact her at kimmillerkrm@gmail. com.

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