![]() ![]() At a six-month follow-up, 67% of participants oral candida infections had significantly improved, or been cured, without recurrence. Some experienced mild to moderate burning that seemed to decrease over time as the candida infection improved. Participants were not permitted to eat or drink for thirty minutes following the rinse. In a study of refractory oral candida in patients living with AIDS, a 15mL melaleuca oral solution was swished for 30-60 seconds, four times daily, for two weeks. ![]() Mouth rinses containing melaleuca have been shown to treat even azole-resistant oral candida infections effectively. A 2.5% tea tree oil solution was also studied in orthodontic patients, and did reduce gingival index and papillary bleeding scores, but seemed to confirm other studies in which it was determined that tea tree oil might reduce oral bacteria, but not necessarily plaque formation. However, in comparison to a placebo, there was no difference in plaque accumulation. This effect was consistent up to two weeks after use of the mouth rinse was stopped. In one study, the results showed a 0.2% tea tree oil mouth rinse used once daily for seven days significantly reduced the number of S.mutans and the total number of oral bacteria. Research has been done to evaluate if tea tree oil is able to reduce plaque formation and oral bacteria numbers. 2,4,5 TTO can be found in toothpaste, mouth rinses, toothpicks, coated floss, and gels. Tea tree oil is helpful in the treatment of aphthous ulcers, herpes simplex virus, dental pain, periodontitis, and refractory oral candida infections. In dentistry, it has shown the ability to inhibit adhesion of periodontopathic and cariogenic bacteria like P.gingivalis and S.mutans. Melaleuca or tea tree oil has been used to treat Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and influenza viruses. Tea tree oil should be stored in dark, cool, dry conditions in a container with little air. It is important to research the quality and source when purchasing essential oils for dental applications. International standards do not stipulate a source for tea tree oil and the USDA does not regulate essential oils. Tea tree oil may be applied to the skin, or taken orally, but should not be swallowed. In turn, less than 10% cineole should be present, with closer to 2.5% preferred for safe use on skin. The composition of oil marketed as tea tree oil is regulated by an international standard set by Australia of at least 30% terpinen-4-ol with 40-60% preferred for medicinal applications. Good quality tea tree oil will have a high percentage of terpinen-4-ol and low cineole. #Tea tree toothpicks skin#Second, cineole compounds add disinfectant properties, but may also be caustic to the skin in higher concentrations. Terpinen-4-ol promotes healing and has a proven antimicrobial effect against fungal biofilms. TTO is made up of over a hundred compounds, but two specific compounds give this essential oil its punch. Penfold who found it to be twelve times more potent than the current antiseptic of the time. 5 Its medicinal properties were first discovered in the 1920s by Dr. 2,3 Native only to Australia, true tea tree oil is produced as a distillate of leaves from the melaleuca alternifolia shrub called a paperbark tree. Melaleuca alternifolia, more commonly known as tea tree oil (TTO), is a stand-out essential oil with broad-spectrum antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Derived from natural plant sources in their purest forms, essential oils have ancient roots in medicine and have found new life in recent years due to their wide range of health benefits. Increased antibiotic resistance and the laundry list of side effects accompanying many current treatment modalities have promoted a movement to simplify what we put into our bodies. The steady stream of research and treatment options can be helpful, but keeping up with the safety and efficacy of these products can be hard for dental hygienists and patients alike. Dental hygiene is a profession of life-long learning with new studies and discoveries constantly providing a plethora of information and products to help patients navigate various oral conditions. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |