90% of Vietnamese people face the risk of tooth loss due to periodontal disease.

Periodontal disease is becoming an alarming public health problem in Vietnam, affecting approximately 90% of adults.

Besides causing tooth loss, this disease is also closely linked to a range of dangerous conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's, premature birth with low birth weight, and even respiratory and immune system disorders.

According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thu Thuy, Deputy Head of the Faculty of Dentistry and Head of the Periodontology Department at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Ho Chi Minh City, among adults with periodontal problems, approximately 60% have already shown clear signs of disease requiring intervention.

However, the worrying thing is that most patients only seek medical attention when their condition has progressed to a severe stage, with symptoms such as loose teeth, pain, abscesses, or tooth loss.

One of the biggest challenges in periodontal treatment is timing of diagnosis.

Periodontal disease comprises two main stages: gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis is the early, common stage and is relatively easy to manage. However, if left untreated, it can progress to periodontitis, damaging the supporting structures of the teeth and becoming a leading cause of tooth loss.

In reality, one of the biggest challenges in periodontal treatment is the timing of detection. When the disease has progressed to a late stage, treatment becomes more complex, more expensive, and requires long-term cooperation from the patient. This highlights the crucial role of prevention and control from an early stage.

Experts emphasize that oral hygiene should be established early, right from the time children begin to sprout their first teeth. Maintaining a routine of regular dental checkups every six months, combined with proper oral hygiene such as brushing and cleaning between teeth, are basic measures that yield long-term results.

In addition to traditional methods, technological advancements are opening up new approaches to periodontal disease management. Devices such as smart toothbrushes, water flossers, and photodynamic therapy technologies are increasingly being applied to help patients control bacteria at home, contributing to more effective and personalized treatment.

One of the notable highlights presented at the 48th Dental and Maxillofacial Science and Technology Conference organized by the University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Ho Chi Minh City was the Lumoral dual-light technology. According to Professor Dr. Werner Birglechner of Heidelberg University, Germany, current treatment of periodontal disease is still traditional and has a relatively high failure rate, highlighting the need for personalized treatment methods.

Periodontal disease is becoming an alarming public health problem in Vietnam, affecting approximately 90% of adults.

Lumoral technology, which has been deployed in Europe for four years, was developed with this in mind. It is a medical device that meets European Union standards and holds seven patents, allowing for personalized treatment based on each patient's risk profile, as determined by the dentist.

The technology's operating principle is based on the combination of a light source and a photosensitive substance to create reactive oxygen molecules, capable of destroying bacterial cell membranes. Specifically, combining two light wavelengths—405nm blue light and 810nm infrared light—significantly enhances the antibacterial effect. Blue light helps limit bacterial adhesion, while infrared light helps break down biofilm structures, stimulates gum tissue, reduces inflammation, and promotes wound healing.

A key aspect of this mechanism is that it is entirely physical, independent of antibiotics or chemicals. This helps limit the risk of antibiotic resistance and preserves the beneficial microorganisms in the oral cavity. Furthermore, the increase in local temperature during activation contributes to increased antibacterial efficacy while ensuring user safety.

According to Professor Werner Birglechner, traditional methods such as root surface treatment can only remove about 60 to 65% of biofilm. Even under optimal conditions, 35 to 40% of plaque remains, especially in hard-to-reach areas such as interdental spaces. This is a major limitation in treatment, as effectiveness depends heavily on the patient's maintenance of oral hygiene at home.

Not all patients experience worsening of periodontal disease due to residual plaque, but in those with risk factors, this can persist and worsen periodontal inflammation. This highlights the urgent need for more effective at-home plaque control solutions, in addition to professional dental treatment.

Based on this, a personalized device system was developed, allowing patients to use it at home for only about 10 minutes at a time. Despite its simple design, the device has been validated through clinical studies on hundreds of patients, showing positive effects in plaque control and improving periodontal health.

Notably, no side effects related to this technology have been reported to date. In addition to improving treatment effectiveness, Lumoral also empowers patients to take a more proactive approach to managing their oral health.

This approach creates a “double impact,” both supporting doctors in improving treatment effectiveness and empowering patients in maintaining long-term results. Given the continued prevalence and challenges of periodontal disease, this is considered a noteworthy direction in the trend of personalized modern medicine.

Source: https://baodautu.vn/90-nguoi-viet-doi-mat-nguy-co-mat-rang-vi-nha-chu-d563938.html