Those who play sports are at greater risk of dental diseases such as caries and periodontitis. Therefore, taking care of your oral health is particularly important because problems can also affect athletic performance.

Life as an athlete has many health benefits but can also have negative consequences. One is that those who play sports at a high level are more likely to have caries and inflammation of the gums, which can eventually lead to tooth loss.

There are several reasons for this. People who train hard need to eat more often, which strains the teeth. It is also not uncommon to need extra energy during training sessions, and many energy supplements, such as energy bars and drinks, are high in sugar.

Intense exercise also involves a high heart rate and intense breathing, often through the mouth. This reduces saliva production, making it easier for bacteria to attach to teeth.

Studies have shown that among athletes, as many as around 70% have caries, and 15% have periodontitis or tooth loss.

Oral bacteria migrate elsewhere to the body

Annimari Korte is a hurdler who has represented Finland in both the World Championships and the Olympics. She previously held the Finnish record in the 100-metre hurdles.

- It is well known that elite athletes are at greater risk of dental disease. The symptoms themselves can be troublesome and make training complex, but they can also affect the body physically in a negative way that reduces performance, she says.

For example, the link between more severe dental disease and cardiovascular disease is well documented. Studies have shown, for example, that people with periodontitis, i.e. 28 per cent more likely to have a first heart attack. And the symptoms are not always visible.

- The harmful bacteria in our mouths can travel through the inflamed gums and into the bloodstream. When the body's immune system recognises the dangerous bacteria, the reaction results in an inflammation process to fight the bacteria. The result can be, for example, an infection of the heart valves or inflammation of the heart vessels, says Tommi Pätilä, cardiac surgeon and founder of Koite Health.

Light-activated therapy is essential for a healthy mouth

Exercising hard with low-grade inflammation in the body can involve significant risks. This is one reason why high-level athletes need to monitor their oral health.

- Because many oral conditions that can be detrimental to elite athletes are asymptomatic, it is essential to visit the dentist or dental hygienist frequently. This way, you can detect problems in time, says Annimari Korte.

To prevent oral infections and dental diseases, the most important thing to do is to brush your teeth thoroughly twice a day and clean between the teeth with floss or interdental brushes. Taking some form of fluoride treatment daily is also a good tip.

Manual toothbrushing is not, however, perfect—studies have shown that it only removes 65 per cent of the harmful bacteria on your teeth—it can be helpful to use a supplement, such as Lumoral therapy. Lumoral uses a patented light-activated therapy that removes 99.9% of the harmful bacteria on the tooth surface.

- I have been using Lumoral for a year and a half now, and my gums are in much better shape today. They no longer bleed when I clean between my teeth, and I have not had a cold since then. This has allowed me to train very effectively, and recently, I did my fastest time in three years, 12.83 seconds, says Annimari Korte.

Lumoral

The Lumoral method removes microscopic plaque from the teeth and gums' surface, slowing down the formation of new plaque and tartar. Its effect is based on the light-activated Lumorinse mouthwash. The treatment targets its antibacterial effect only on plaque and thus favours the normal bacterial flora in the mouth. Lumoral is a CE-marked medical device.

Lumoral consists of a mint-flavoured mouth rinse, Lumorinse, which is combined with the special mouthpiece. Using a method resembling photosynthesis, the treatment eliminates the ability of plaque to adhere to its substrate, which means that the teeth are cleaned, and the tooth surface becomes smooth.

The treatment, which can be performed at home, takes 10 minutes and is recommended once or twice a week.

Lumoral Junior

For children, there is Lumoral Junior, which includes a mouthpiece adapted for children's needs.

It is suitable for children between 4 and 12 years old. From the age of 12, children can usually switch to using a Lumoral mouthpiece, which is ideal for adults. To use Lumoral, the child should be able to rinse their mouth with mouthwash.

The International Dental Medicine Fair, commonly known as Dentex, once again brought the dental industry to the forefront from June 6-8, 2024. Organized by Zagreb Fair and the Croatian Chamber of Dental Medicine, the biennial event presented cutting-edge innovations, including Lumoral, to its visitors from Croatia and abroad.

One of the highlights of this year's event was Lumoral – a cutting-edge antibacterial therapy device developed by Finnish scientists designed to significantly improve oral hygiene when used as an adjunct therapy to regular brushing and flossing. The themes of the Dentex fair covered key areas of dentistry and dental technology.

Lumoral attracts attention

Lumoral has garnered attention for its innovative approach to maintaining oral hygiene. The device employs a dual-light photodynamic therapy that targets and eliminates harmful bacteria in the mouth, promoting healthier gums and teeth. Its user-friendly design and proven effectiveness make it an attractive option for both dental professionals and patients seeking to improve their oral health.

Lumoral's participation in Dentex reflects Croatian distribution partner Med-Faktor’s commitment to advancing dental care through innovation. Attendees at the event had the chance to experience firsthand how the Lumoral device can be integrated into their practice to enhance patient outcomes.

"The Dentex fair was a resounding success for our team. We had a spacious 50-square-meter area to showcase our products, with Lumoral drawing the most interest among visitors," said Med-Faktor Key Account Manager Marko Sever Cuglin.

With over 250 exhibitors presenting similar products like 3D printers, intraoral scanners, and implants, Lumoral stood out as a unique innovation.

"Our 'Wheel of Fortune' prize game, featuring a Lumoral starter set as the main prize, was a hit. It served as an excellent opportunity to introduce Lumoral to doctors, who were curious about its purpose, usage, and the time frame for seeing positive results in patients' oral health."

Sever Cuglin noted that dental professionals were impressed by Lumoral’s capabilities, recognizing its potential to improve treatment outcomes and serve as a preventive measure. "We gathered about 100 contacts interested in Lumoral, whom we plan to follow up with. Orthodontists were particularly excited about how Lumoral can help with braces maintenance, and periodontologists saw its potential to enhance standard dental treatments significantly."

Lumoral as a preoperative treatment

Experts in antimicrobial photodynamic therapy highlighted Lumoral’s utility as a preoperative treatment, emphasizing its effectiveness in eliminating harmful bacteria before implant placements or other surgical procedures.

"Overall, the response from the dental community was overwhelmingly positive. We look forward to continuing our engagements and expanding Lumoral's reach in dental practices," Sever Cuglin added.

***

Med-Faktor d.o.o. (www.medfaktor.hr), is a Croatia-based importing company established in 2010 by parent company Naturaldent Dental Group. The company is currently an exclusive distributor of products such as Medentis ICX implants, Belgian SMI sutures, NEXA3D printers and various other products for the countries of Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Kosovo and Albania.

Tartar is mineralised plaque that forms on the surface of the teeth, usually as a result of poor oral hygiene. Plaque is made up of bacteria, food debris and saliva proteins. If plaque is not regularly removed by brushing and cleaning between teeth, it can harden and become tartar. Tartar is rough and can cause gum irritation, lead to gingivitis and contribute to the development of other oral health problems, such as periodontitis.

How common is tartar buildup?

Tartar is a very common oral health problem. Almost all adults have tartar buildup at some point in their lives, and the incidence increases with age. Here are some important facts to help you understand how common tartar is:

Adults: Most adults will get tartar at some point. The risk increases with age as plaque builds up over time, and possibly oral hygiene can also deteriorate, for example as fine motor skills in the hands deteriorate.

Adolescents and children: Although tartar is more common in adults, it can also occur in adolescents and children, especially if oral hygiene is poor.

Risk groups: Certain groups of people are more prone to developing tartar. These include smokers, diabetics, people with dry mouth, and people with certain types of eating habits (e.g. high consumption of sugary and starchy foods).

Tooth location: Plaque is usually more likely to form on the mandibular incisors and maxillary molars, as the salivary glands are located close to these teeth and saliva can contribute to plaque mineralisation.

How can I prevent the formation of tartar?

Regular and careful oral hygiene is the best way to prevent tartar. Tartar cannot be completely prevented, but the amount and effects can be significantly reduced through good daily oral hygiene and professional cleanings.

Regular brushing: brush your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes at a time with a fluoride toothpaste. Use a soft toothbrush and brush thoroughly on all tooth surfaces, including the gum line.

Use a floss, brush or other interdental cleaning tool daily to remove plaque between teeth where the toothbrush cannot reach.

Healthy diet: avoid sugary and starchy foods and drinks that contribute to plaque formation. Eat healthy foods, such as fruit and vegetables, that promote saliva production and help keep your mouth clean.

Regular dental visits: go to your dentist regularly for check-ups and cleanings. A dental hygienist can remove tartar that you cannot remove yourself at home.

Complementary treatment: regular use of the Lumoral antibacterial treatment reduces the amount of bacteria in your mouth and helps prevent plaque and tartar build-up.

Why do you need to remove tartar?

‘When the tooth surface is rough due to tartar, it is easy for new bacteria to accumulate on the surfaces of the teeth. These bacteria, together with tartar, irritate the gums and cause gingivitis. You cannot remove tartar yourself at home, but dentists and dental hygienists give patients an anti-infective treatment to remove tartar and reduce the amount of bacteria in the gum pocket.’ Viivi Soikkeli, dental hygienist at Hampaasi Dental Clinic in Helsinki, Finland, explains.

Lumoral antibacterial treatment is used as a complement to mechanical tooth cleaning.

‘Lumoral treatment is based on the fact that it effectively reduces the amount of plaque in the mouth, while also reducing the build-up of plaque and tartar,’ says Soikkeli.

Studies have shown that regular antibacterial treatment as an adjunct to conventional non-surgical standard treatment reduces gum inflammation and improves oral hygiene and the healing of deep pockets in chronic periodontitis compared to conventional treatment.

Antibacterial treatment has also been shown to prevent and help reduce inflammation in the tissues surrounding implants. It is suitable for everyone, but light-activated antibacterial treatment is considered most effective for patients who need to improve their oral hygiene.

Unlike conventional antibacterial mouthwashes, which affect the whole mouth and also remove the good bacteria that we need, Lumoral treatment targets only plaque, reducing bacterial and tartar build-up.

‘I recommend Lumoral especially to customers who have a lot of tartar,’ says Soikkeli.