Title

Hydrogen Peroxide, it's not just for Cuts and Scrapes Anymore...Explore its Oral Applications

Description

In the United States, 47.2% of adults have periodontal disease and up to 95% have gingival disease. Periodontal disease ranks 6th among the most prevalent disorders worldwide. The presence of subgingival and supragingival biofilm in a susceptible host can cause active periodontal, gingival, and peri-implant infections. The predominating bacteria in an oral biofilm are a combination of gram positive and gram negative facultative and obligate anaerobes. Dental providers use mechanical and non-mechanical modalities to reduce biofilm levels and promote oral symbiosis. Hydrogen peroxide is an effective antimicrobial in the fight against oral disease because it is toxic to the organisms in a biofilm. This course will present the mechanism of action of hydrogen peroxide in a unique oral delivery system to aid in treatment regimens of inflammatory gingival, periodontal, and peri-implant diseases.

Educational Objectives

At the conclusion of this course, the oral health care provider will be able to:

1. Understand the mechanism of action of hydrogen peroxide in the human body.

2. Describe the effects hydrogen peroxide has on facultative and obligate anaerobic bacteria that proliferate the oral cavity during times of disease and inflammation.

3. Identify gingival, periodontal, and peri-implant disease risk factors and understand the benefits of non-mechanical at-home oral hygiene adjunctive aids.

4. Recognize the oral applications of hydrogen peroxide in biofilm removal, wound healing, halitosis, and inflammatory reduction.