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Hygiene Pearls for Your Practice

Feb. 8, 2017
Colleen M. Olson, RDH, BBA, reviews OraCoat XyliMelts saliva-stimulating discs by OraHealth Corp. and Colgate Sensitive Pre-Procedural Desensitizing Paste.
Colleen M. Olson, RDH, BBA, reviews OraCoat XyliMelts saliva-stimulating discs by OraHealth Corp. and Colgate Sensitive Pre-Procedural Desensitizing Paste.

OraCoat XyliMelts saliva-stimulating discs by OraHealth Corp.

Xerostomia affects a significant portion of our patient population: patients on certain medications, chemotherapy and radiation patients, and patients with Sjogren's syndrome, among others. Chronic dry mouth can cause difficulty swallowing or speaking, and it can exacerbate decay and oral mucositis. Earlier this year, I personally tested and reviewed several products for treating xerostomia in order to make better recommendations to patients. One of my favorite products was OraCoat XyliMelts saliva-stimulating discs for dry mouth.

This is one of my go-to recommendations for patients experiencing xerostomia because of its versatility. XyliMelts are small, minty discs made with xylitol that adhere to the attached gingiva. When I tried one, I was initially skeptical of how well the disc would stay in place but was pleasantly surprised that it never migrated anywhere else in my mouth.

The disc dissolves very slowly, continuously releasing xylitol into the mouth and stimulating salivary production. A mild minty flavor makes the product pleasant to taste. Because the disc is so small, it is very discreet and does not affect speech. This means that patients with all-day dryness could easily use XyliMelts without its being obvious to everyone around them. Also, the fact that XyliMelts release xylitol and dissolve slowly makes them an ideal choice for overnight use.

I'm thankful to have a versatile product such as OraCoat XyliMelts to recommend to patients who suffer from both daytime and nighttime xerostomia. Two thumbs up!

Colgate Sensitive Pre-Procedural Desensitizing Paste

Several times a week, I see patients who experience sensitivity due to dentin exposure. I'm always looking for ways to make their experiences in my chair less miserable. Now that I've found Colgate Sensitive Pre-Procedural Desensitizing Paste, I have a new way to minimize their discomfort.

This product is an arginine and calcium carbonate paste that seals open dentinal tubules effectively, thereby reducing dentin hypersensitivity. One study demonstrated that a single in-office application resulted in immediate relief and reduced dentin sensitivity for six weeks following the procedure. (1)

Despite the "Pre-Procedural" part of its name, the paste can be used before or after dental procedures. I find it particularly useful after scaling and root planing, when root surfaces that previously had been occluded by calculus might become exposed. For prophylaxis patients, it can be used before scaling or toward the end of the appointment in place of polishing paste.

One of the best things about the product is that its application is quick and already part of the treatment procedure. There is no extra equipment to set up or technique to learn. It is simple to apply with a prophy cup, and it's available in an easy-to-use three-ounce tube.

Having a product such as Colgate Sensitive Pre-Procedural Desensitizing Paste means I can help reduce hypersensitivity in my patients, which—I hope—will keep them coming back on schedule to maintain their oral health.

Reference

1. Pepelassi E, Rahiotis C, Peponi E, Kakaboura A, Vrotsos I. Effectiveness of an in-office arginine-calcium carbonate paste on dentine hypersensitivity in periodontitis patients: A double-blind, randomized controlled trial. J Clin Periodontol. 2015;42(1):37-45.

Colleen M. Olson, RDH, BBA, is an editorial director for the e-newsletter, Pearls for Your Practice: The Product Navigator. She earned her bachelor's degree in business administration from Texas A&M University in 2008 and worked in sales for five years. She graduated from the Blinn College dental hygiene program in 2013. She is a full-time mom to Bonnie Grace and is currently a part-time hygienist in private practice in San Antonio, Texas. She enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband, Zach, and their families.

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