Let’s face it- these are some of the most unique, extenuating circumstances the dental profession has seen. Practitioners have been called to restructure their care in novel ways while maintaining a level of communication and reassurance through virtual consults and other means.
Here at GLO, it remains our mission to support you as our partner and do our best to provide helpful and current information. The CDC and ADA both emphasize the importance of personal hygiene- including oral care- during this time. A sure way to address patient compliance is to provide the proper tools, products, and instructions, so their teeth and gums stay healthy in between visits, especially when they are not able to come in for their regularly scheduled cleanings.
There are options readily available for home use, and patients can certainly benefit from your guidance here. One recommendation is hydrogen peroxide. Many think of an old brown bottle taking up space in their medicine cabinet, but this liquid powerhouse is so much more. Often referred to as a “wonder product,” hydrogen peroxide has multiple benefits, including reducing pain, detoxifying the body, and eliminating infection – in addition to being a proven effective and safe teeth whitening agent.
According to RDH Magazine, hydrogen peroxide has been used by dental professionals since 1913 for the prevention and treatment of gum disease. It serves as an oxidizing agent and prevents the growth of bacteria in the mouth. Hydrogen peroxide breaks through the biofilm slime barrier, fighting gum disease and other inflammation. The ADA has also included rinsing with 1% HP in its COVID-19 oral care protocols.
GLO Science has long recognized the benefits of hydrogen peroxide, which is a key ingredient in every GLO Science product. Even when used for teeth whitening purposes, hydrogen peroxide retains its antiseptic properties and can help create a healthier environment inside the mouth. During one of our early teeth whitening clinical studies, the head researcher noticed an improvement in participants’ gum health throughout the study due to the regular use of the hydrogen-peroxide based whitening gel combined with the light & heat acceleration of the GLO mouthpiece.
Hydrogen peroxide breaks down safely into oxygen and water, but patients should be educated on proper usage. A 3% solution, available at most pharmacies, is safe when applied directly to a soft bristle toothbrush and followed by flossing. If patients prefer to use as a mouthwash, advise them to mix two parts water and one part 3% solution. When used daily, this will help prevent plaque buildup and bacteria. Higher concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (above 10%) should only be used with the proper dental consultations and professional-grade products.
GLO Science products containing hydrogen peroxide can be used as follows:
ECO Balance – contains 1% Hydrogen Peroxide
- 8X more effective than brushing and flossing alone
- Raises oral pH to fight inflammation
- Restores oral chemistry to a healthy balance
- Suitable for long term use
- Doesn’t stain teeth
- Use 2x daily for brushing, layered on top of your favorite toothpaste
- Can also be used with the GLO mouthpiece to create volumizing foam inside the mouth
Take-Home Professional Teeth Whitening Kit – contains 10% Hydrogen Peroxide
- Patented blue LED & heat technology
- No messy strips or uncomfortable trays
- 5+ shades whiter
- Little to no sensitivity
- Gel is applied directly to the teeth and is accelerated by the heat & light mouthpiece
- Complete four 8-minute sessions each day for 5-10 days
With self-care routines trending across the country, now is a great time to “virtually” educate your patients on how hydrogen peroxide products like those from GLO Science can promote oral health with the bonus of whiter teeth. Your recommendation of specific products helps alleviate questions, confusion, or safety concerns your patients might have when trying to navigate the myriad of products available on the market, many of which may not be transparent about their ingredients or origins.
To make things easier for you and your patients during this time, GLO Science is now offering free direct shipping of GLO Science Professional At-Home products to your patients on your behalf using a unique code for your practice.
To request your practice’s unique code, please email info@gloscience.com and include your name, your practice’s name, address, city, state, zip, phone, and the email address associated with your PayPal account. Share your code and this link (https://gloscience.com/professional-teeth-whitening-at-home) with your patients so they can order GLO PRO AT HOME products to be delivered right to their door.