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Why we use molecular iodine in our office
Periodontal disease (gum disease) is an infection that affects the tissue supporting your teeth. It begins with an inflammation of the gums and can lead to the destruction of supporting bone and eventual loss of teeth. Although its possible to have asymptomatic periodontal disease, common symptoms can include bleeding gums, swollen or tender gums, separation of the gums from you teeth, persistent bad breath, pus between the teeth and gums, loose or separating teeth, a change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite and pain or discomfort.
The control of periodontal disease is important because it is so widespread and, if left untreated, the consequences can be so sere, both within your mouth and throughout your body. Potential consequences include pain, expense, cosmetic disfigurement, loss of chewing ability and tooth loss. Research has linked periodontal disease to other illnesses such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke, rheumatoid arthritis, respiratory diseases, and increased risk of presence complications.
Why iodine?
Iodine is an essential nutrient, required by our bodies to avoid iodine deficiency disease. Governments around the world require that iodine be added to common table salt as a public health measure. It is also one of the most effective germ-killing agents; it rapidly destroys a broad range of germs, including bacteria, fungi, viruses (including COVID), and spores. The bacteria that causes periodontal disease is quickly destroyed with iodine. Unlike antibiotics and other germ-killing agents, it does not allow for the development of resistant strains of bacteria. This unique combination of safety, effectiveness and lack of bacterial resistance, make iodine an ideal agent in helping to control periodontal disease.
Why molecular iodine?
The iodine you are familiar with is actually a mixture of several different types of iodine. Only one of these, molecular iodine, can kill the bacteria that causes periodontal disease. Other iodine types cause staining and contribute to toxicity, but do not kill periodontal bacteria. Molecular iodine is so powerful that it provides all of the germ-killing activity of traditional iodine rinses while its presence is limited to just trace amounts (2-3 parts per million). The molecular iodine used at Integrated Dental Care contains 25-100 times the molecular iodine that is available in other iodine mouth rinses and hospital antiseptics.
Molecular iodine and COVID-19
In a recent study by the Institute for Antiviral Research at Utah Sate University, it was demonstrated that the COVID-19 virus can be completely inactivated with a 30-second exposure to a 100 ppm molecular iodine mouth rinse.
How we use molecular iodine
At Integrated Dental Care, molecular iodine is used in our self-contained water bottle units for each dental unit, allowing for germ-killing activity to occur during drilling procedures as well as during dental cleanings. Molecular iodine gel is used during scaling procedures, after extractions, during dental implant placement, as well as surgical grafting procedures. If you are suffering from gum problems, call us for an appointment today and experience the benefits of molecular iodine for a healthier mouth.