Identification of Adolescent Patients at Risk of Oral Diseases and Targeting of Preventive Treatment, and the Use of Antibacterial Photodynamic Therapy as an Adjunctive Treatment Method

Good oral health is an essential factor in people's general and psychosocial well-being. According to the Global Burden of Disease 2020, untreated dental caries (tooth decay) in permanent teeth is the most common health condition. Modern dietary habits in developed countries, with increased consumption of sugar and other products that are known to have a negative impact on oral health need to be looked at both at regional and global levels. Educational programs that promote oral health awareness and emphasize the importance of good oral hygiene may be effective in encouraging adolescents to adopt healthy habits.

Globally, tooth decay is very common among children (WHO 2022), and in Finland, the oral health of children and adolescents has deteriorated in recent years. However, the risk of a young person's tooth decay can be reduced by promoting good oral hygiene by implementing less destructive dietary habits and enhanced oral health habits.

Poor dental plaque control causes increased oral bacterial burden, which is known to be associated with inflammatory oral diseases, such as periodontitis. Periodontitis is very common in Finland, for example, according to a national Health 2000 survey, the prevalence was 64 % in the adult population, and 10-15 % in adolescents. Periodontitis can lead to tooth loss, and there is a link between periodontitis and many systemic diseases as untreated periodontitis may maintain low-grade inflammation in the body.

Recent studies have identified effective methods, such as the aMMP-8 point-of-care test, for identifying oral inflammatory burden, also on adolescents. New tools in fighting a global battle against bacteria-caused tooth decay are welcome. Antibacterial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) and antibacterial blue light (aBL) have emerged as solutions for attacking dental biofilm. Until recently, these treatment methods have only been available in an office setting. A group of Finnish scientists has developed a new and unique home-use aPDT and aBL method, which has proven to have a very strong emphasis on eliminating harmful oral bacteria. The method is used along with the best-so-far home-based dental care, brushing, and flossing.