Page 23 - GP FALL 2010

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HoW To TREAT DENTAL CARIES DISEASE

By Howard J. Kirschner, DDS

I recently attended a lecture given by After the first month, the patient is rec- The kit includes the following:
Dr. V. Kim Kutsch, founder and CEO of ommended to use CariFree Maintenance
the Oral BioTech Corporation, manufac- Rinse, which does not require mixing. (1) A box of Xyli-Tots Oral Wipes - Makes
turer of CariFree caries control solutions. This product contains xylitol and 0.05% it easy to clean on the go while creating a
His concept is that caries develop from sodium fluoride to neutralize the acidic healthy oral environment with xylitol and
biofilm on teeth. Dr. Kutsch has devel- oral pH. This rinse is available in citrus elevated pH+ technology. These are avail-
oped a full line of products (patent pend- and mint flavors. able in flavors of “Grape Giggles” or
ing) designed to reduce acidity in the oral The CariFree line also includes a xyli- “Watermelon Wiggles.”
cavity, thereby selecting against the tol-containing spray called CariFree Boost
microorganisms in the biofilm that flourish Mouth Spray. This spray changes the oral (2) Flavored Xyli-Tots Mouth Spray - It is
in an acidic environment. pH to basic. It is to be used after meals, xylitol-rich, neutralizes the mouth after
At the heart of the treatment protocol is with two or three sprays into the mouth. It eating, and is safe to swallow.
a hand-held device, the CariScreen, which is especially effective with patients suffer-
measures the adenosine tri-phosphate (ATP) ing from xerostomia. (3) Xyli-Tots Lollies - Permit the toddler to
by bioluminescence, expressed as a Xerostomia is a symptom caused by lick away decay with this 0.5 gram xylitol
Relative Light Unit (RLU) as an indicator over 3000 medications (list available on lollipop, available in assorted flavors.
of caries susceptibility. This device requires CariFree website). The CariFree product
that the dentist swab the lingual surface of line includes Oral Neutralizer Gum, con- (4) Xyli-Tots Tooth Gel (toothpaste) - The
the un-brushed lower anterior teeth only, taining xylitol and pH+ technology (patent ultimate product for toddlers. It is grape
avoiding the gingiva. The dentist then acti- pending), to be used up to five times daily flavored and combines the proven benefits
vates the enzyme-filled swab, shakes it for in order to stimulate salivary flow, which of xylitol with the neutralizing pH+ tech-
ten seconds, then inserts the swab into the increases pH and promotes a healthy bio- nology. It contains no fluoride and is
RLU meter to obtain a reading of the film. Dentists might consider this as an therefore safe to swallow.
patient’s caries susceptibility number. alternative to prescribing Pilocarpine,
The treatment protocol is to reduce the which may have possible drug interactions The CariFree Xyli-Tots Juniors Kit con-
susceptibility number, beginning with the with the patient’s other medications. tains all of the above products except the
use of an Oral Neutralizing Gel applied with However, the use of the gum avoids these wipes but does contain Xyli-Tots Anti-cavity
a toothbrush. This product raises the pH to potential medical complications. Rinse. Designed to promote healthy bio-film
basic levels and is completely non-abrasive. The concept of caries disease treatment development and limit the growth of decay-
It combines the benefits of xylitol with requires that the dentist diagnose the major causing bacteria, it is available in Grape
CariFree’s patent-pending pH+ technology. contributing factor that is responsible for Giggles and Watermelon Wiggles. It con-
[It cannot legally be called “toothpaste” one’s caries. The dentist determines patient’s tains 3 grams of xylitol per swish and 0.05%
because the FDA monograph for dentifrice caries susceptibility by completing a Caries neutral sodium fluoride, with the pH+ tech-
is acidic and abrasive.] This pH neutraliz- Risk Assessment Form. This is known as nology to neutralize cavity-causing acids.
ing gel is basic and non-abrasive. CAMBRA — Caries Management By Risk A word of caution - Xylitol is danger-
For severe cases, a pH neutralizing gel Assessment. There are two forms available – ous if ingested by animals/pets.
called CariFree pHluorigel is recommend- one for toddlers to age six and another for Dr. Kutsch reported in his lecture that
ed. It combines the anti-caries benefit of older children and adults. an ongoing, large-scale study in
5,000 ppm of sodium fluoride with a ther- One of the primary risk factors for caries Queensland, Australia is expected to pro-
apeutic dose of xylitol. This product con- is sipping sugary liquids throughout the day. duce results supporting the effectiveness of
tains the most powerful anti-caries thera- For example, when an athlete drinks an the CariFree treatment protocol for the
peutics for an all-in-one, prescription “energy boosting” beverage or when a stu- detection, treatment, and prevention of
strength, cavity-fighting, powerhouse. It dent sips soda all day long. The acidic con- dental caries. Dentists must think of caries
may be used in a custom tray appliance for dition that results promotes cariogenic bac- as a treatable disease. The CariFree
increased exposure and effectiveness. This teria and leads to net mineral loss from the Company provides the armamentarium for
product is similar to others presently avail- enamel. It is recommended that dentists the dentist to do so.
able commercially but without their acidi- apply CariFree fluoride varnish to the enam- “There is no dentistry better than no den-
ty and/or abrasiveness. el with periodic frequency, depending on the tistry.” Dr. John Kois, DMD, MSD
The patient is also instructed to rinse degree of caries susceptibility. CariFree flu- ** The views, opinions and recommenda-
twice daily for the first month with CariFree oride varnish is a mixture of 5% sodium flu- tions expressed in this article are those of
Treatment Rinse, designed to treat the cario- oride in a resin carrier, dispensed in single- the respective authors and are not necessar-
genic biofilm in plaque to reduce the over- use dose applications. This same enamel ily endorsed by the Academy of General
population of cariogenic bacteria and to neu- varnish also effectively treats patients with Dentistry or the New York State Academy of
tralize the oral pH. This product comes in cervical/root sensitivity or decay. General Dentistry. The publication of an
two bottles with a small cup for the patient The CariFree Company also provides a advertisement in the GP does not indicate
to mix 5 cc from each bottle. This product complete line of products specifically an endorsement of products or services.
contains sodium hypochlorite, which kills designed for toddlers and pre-schoolers
the microorganisms in the biofilm, and under the age of 5 called CariFree Xyli-
tastes like swimming pool water. Tots Littles Kit.

www.nysagd.org | Fall 2010 | GP 23