Sphagnum Moss Extract for Reducing Periodontal Pocket Depths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods lack effective solutions for improving dental health, particularly in reducing pocket depths in teeth, which are indicative of gum disease and attachment loss.
Innovation Solution
The use of non-decomposed sphagnum moss or its extract in toothpaste, mouthwash, and treated drinking water, where the moss is sourced from species like Sphagnum papillosum and Sphagnum cristatum, is effective in reducing pocket depths by inhibiting bacterial growth and biofilm formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional toothpaste and mouthwash are used, then dental hygiene is maintained, but pocket depths in teeth are not effectively reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameter of oral hygiene products by incorporating sphagnum moss extract, which contains unique antimicrobial compounds (sphagnum acid, phenolic compounds) not present in conventional products. This parameter change enables the product to effectively reduce pocket depths by inhibiting bacterial growth and biofilm formation in periodontal pockets, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining dental hygiene and reducing pocket depths.
Solution Approach 2:
The sphagnum moss extract acts as an intermediary substance that mediates between the user and the harmful bacteria in periodontal pockets. The extract contains bioactive compounds that selectively target and inhibit pathogenic bacteria without disrupting the overall oral microbiome balance, enabling effective pocket depth reduction while maintaining dental health.
2Ease of manufacture
If sphagnum moss is harvested and processed, then it becomes available for commercial use, but the moss must be decomposed or composted which may reduce its bioactive properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary extraction of bioactive compounds from sphagnum moss before the moss undergoes decomposition or composting. The extraction process captures the antimicrobial compounds (sphagnum acid, phenolic compounds) while the moss is still in its intact, bioactive state. This preliminary action ensures that the therapeutic properties are preserved and concentrated in the extract, which can then be incorporated into oral hygiene products without requiring the moss to be decomposed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the bioactive components from sphagnum moss, separating the therapeutic compounds from the plant material. This extraction process isolates the antimicrobial substances (sphagnum acid, phenolic compounds) that are responsible for reducing pocket depths, allowing these active ingredients to be used in oral hygiene products while the remaining moss can be composted or disposed of without concern for losing bioactive properties.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Regular use of moss-based products leads to significant reductions in pocket depths, with up to 40% reduction in depths greater than 3mm after one month, demonstrating improved dental health and gum attachment.
Implementation Method 1
Previous studies have demonstrated that sphagnum moss significantly inhibits the growth of free-floating (planktonic) bacteria. Other studies have demonstrated that sphagnum moss inhibits and removes biofilm.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of improving dental health in a mammal in which a mammal drinks at least 0.5 liters of water per day for a majority of the days of a period of at least one month, the water having been contacted with an amount of a non-decomposed moss effective to improve dental health as evidenced by a reduction in the pocket depths of the teeth of the mammal. A method of improving dental health in a mammal in which the mammal's teeth are brushed using a toothpaste or rinsed with a mouthwash for a majority of the days of a period of at least one month, the toothpaste or mouthwash containing an amount of a non-decomposed moss or non-decomposed moss extract effective to improve dental health as evidenced by a reduction in the pocket depths of the teeth. A toothpaste or mouthwash containing an effective amount of a non-decomposed moss or non-decomposed moss extract.