Maintaining a healthy set of teeth does not stop in proper dental hygiene. It needs a lifetime of routine care to prevent damage. A strong covering called enamel protects our teeth, which is the hardest tissue of the body. To put the importance and hardness of enamel in perspective, it has a hardness score of five on the Mohs scale, comparable to apatite and stainless steel (5-5.5 Mohs). However, this hard covering can still be damaged by unhealthy oral habits and practices that you are unwittingly doing. It is critical to know what oral practices are damaging your teeth and how they compromis ..read more

Suppose you are wondering why you continue to get cavities despite practising good oral hygiene. In that case, it's because other factors contribute to tooth decay and cavity formation even when you diligently brush your teeth and practice interdental cleaning. To trace why this happens, let's briefly summarise how cavity formation happens and take a look into your mouth. First, human saliva plays a big part in keeping an alkaline and healthy oral environment, supplying nutrients, and helps in early digestion. Cavity formation is a result of a change in the oral environment when food is introd ..read more

It’s true that mouthwashes fight plaque-causing bacteria and provide fresh breath. Studies have proven the effectiveness of mouthwashes that dentists around the world recommend its use. However, there are many types of mouthwashes available on the market, and they have their specific use, limitations and risks. Let us delve into them so you'd know which one to get on your next trip to the grocery or pharmacy. Limitations and Risks of Different Types of Mouthwashes 1. Cosmetic mouthwash Cosmetic mouthwashes do not contain an active ingredient to help fight bacteria in the mouth. It temporarily ..read more

Cavities and gum diseases have always been identified as among the biggest challenges in improving the global oral health, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Although the oral health conditions vary now per region and country, dental caries remain a major health public problem along with others.  Here’s a look at the biggest challenges to oral health development around the world in the 21st century. Dental Caries Dental caries, also known as cavities or tooth decay, are the permanently damaged areas in the hard surface of your teeth. They are caused by bacteria in your m ..read more

Although not always on top of mind when talking about oral health, gums are actually important and are associated with maintaining overall health. When neglected, gum diseases can lead to potentially life-threatening infections and tooth loss and these can be associated with other health problems. Gum disease is common in Australia, with 3 of 10 adults experiencing moderate to severe conditions. Fortunately, these figures can decrease with proper oral hygiene and regular dental visits. But before we deep dive into the ways we can prevent gum disease, let us learn more about the importance of ..read more

When buying medical devices for home use, there is a certification you can look out for to have peace of mind that what you’re buying is of high quality and safe. This is the ISO 13485 certification that Koite Health has received for its antibacterial dental devices: Lumoral.  What is ISO 13485 Before we dive into the specifics, ISO stands for International Organization for Standardization. It is an organisation dedicated to developing voluntary standards that will guarantee product safety and quality. The ISO also encourages innovation in the global marketplace.  The ISO 13485 ce ..read more

The oral cavity naturally houses a number of microorganisms; they make up the normal flora of your mouth. These microbes benefit their host by acting as a protective barrier against non-indigenous pathogens by producing byproducts such as fatty acids, peroxides and bacteriocins. They also help strengthen the body’s immune system by introducing small amounts of antibodies. However, they can also cause various oral diseases from caries, gingivitis to periodontal infections. Gum disease is a common diagnosis to receive when it comes to oral diseases. In fact, 47.2% of adults aged 30 years and old ..read more

Access to dental care has been limited because of the coronavirus disease pandemic (COVID-19). Quarantine restrictions caused lifestyle changes where some people were encouraged to live a sedentary way of life, consuming unhealthy food choices and sugary beverages.  The said changes have resulted in an increase in dental problems leading to cavity formation and gum problems. Some studies have linked SARS-Cov-2 to poor oral hygiene, where poor oral hygiene is believed to be a determining factor for the severity of a patient's condition. A background on COVID-19 COVID-19 is transmitted from ..read more

Your mouth houses a community of bacteria (microbiome) that contributes to a healthy body. Oral microbiome imbalance occurs when bacteria goes haywire, disrupting the balance in the oral ecosystem by producing acids damaging the teeth's protective enamel. Furthermore, these pathogens destroy tissues supporting the teeth leading to gum diseases. Oral Microbiome The number of microorganisms present in our body can be compared to our cells—the oral cavity houses more than 700 species of bacteria. The oral microbiome is defined as the collective genome of microorganisms that reside in the oral cav ..read more

Dental plaque is the root cause of many oral health problems. It is a sticky, colourless to light yellow film that forms on your teeth daily. The buildup of plaque leads to the formation of minerals called tartar. Tartar usually builds up above the gum line and eventually irritates the gum, causing inflammation leading to gum diseases.  More often, Chlorhexidine is the over-the-counter (OTC) antiseptic mouthwash prescribed by dentists to treat bleeding and inflammation caused by gingivitis. However, Chlorhexidine is not suitable for prolonged use as it comes with side effects like taste a ..read more