Carbamide peroxide, a tooth-whitening compound, may improve oral hygiene in elderly and special needs patients, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association.
While standard dental treatments, such as teeth brushing and flossing, may be easier for most patients to follow, these tasks may be challenging for individuals with mental disabilities or poor eyesight. If these minimal treatments go overlooked, patients will suffer from tooth and gum disease as well as other severe health complications.
In an effort to make dental care easier for these patients, dentists have found that the bleaching compound, which was originally used to eliminate plaque and bacteria from teeth while improving pH levels in the mouth, can be used daily to protect ones teeth.
These researchers have discovered that using a carbamide peroxide gel in a custom-made mouthguard can help mentally challenged or elderly patients improve the oral hyigene care.
David Lazarchik, associate professor at the Western University of Health Sciences College of Dental Medicine, stated that “tray bleaching can be a very effective supplemental method of oral hygiene for patients facing greater challenges keeping their mouths clean.”
In 2004, approximately 92 percent of all adults aged 65 years and older had developed tooth decay in their permanent teeth, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.