Notícia

MedBound Times (EUA)

Blue Light Meets Annatto: New Hope for Mouth-Breathing Kids with Bad Breath (25 notícias)

Publicado em 29 de novembro de 2024

A recent study conducted by researchers in Brazil has demonstrated the effectiveness of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) in treating halitosis among mouth-breathing children. This approach employs blue light targeting annatto colorant, an orange-reddish pigment derived from the seeds of Bixa orellana (commonly known as achiote or urucum), a shrub native to tropical regions of the Americas. The study highlights the feasibility of using this simple and cost-effective technique to combat bad breath in young patients.

Halitosis, a medical term for bad breath, can result from various local or systemic conditions such as gingivitis, periodontal disease, diabetic acidosis, hepatic failure, or respiratory infections. Mouth breathing exacerbates this condition by drying out saliva, which reduces its natural antibacterial and cleansing properties. This increases bacterial activity, thereby worsening bad breath.

The study was conducted on 52 children aged 6–12 diagnosed with halitosis. Diagnosis was confirmed using a halimeter, an inexpensive device readily available online, enabling its use in regular dental practices. These children were divided into two groups to compare the effects of aPDT with conventional tongue scraping.

The aPDT technique involves the application of a photosensitizer—annatto in this case—combined with blue LED light and oxygen. This process generates reactive oxygen species that effectively kill bacteria. Annatto, being a natural reddish pigment, was targeted by the blue LED light, a tool already present in most dental clinics. The method, although tested on children, has the potential to benefit individuals of all ages suffering from halitosis.

Dr. Sandra Kalil Bussadori, a pediatric dentist and the study’s senior author, explained the motivation behind the research. Observing numerous cases of halitosis in children, she aimed to devise a treatment protocol that would be both accessible and effective. Unlike traditional photodynamic therapy, which uses methylene blue and a red laser, Bussadori focused on creating a more affordable alternative compatible with existing dental equipment.

Her efforts led to the development of an annatto-based spray, patented in 2020. The photosensitizer was applied to the middle third of the tongue dorsum during the therapy session. Following a brief incubation period, specific points on the tongue were irradiated with blue light. Results were monitored before treatment, immediately after, and at intervals of seven and 30 days.

Both groups—those treated with aPDT and those using tongue scrapers—showed significant improvement in halitosis. However, the group receiving aPDT displayed more substantial and lasting results. The study also examined tongue coating, which comprises bacteria, food debris, and metabolites. Although no direct link was found between tongue coating and halitosis in mouth-breathing children, oral dryness caused by mouth breathing was identified as the primary cause of bad breath in this demographic.

Dr. Bussadori emphasized that halitosis could affect children’s quality of life, social interactions, and psychological development during critical stages of socialization. She expressed optimism about aPDT’s potential to address these challenges effectively and affordably.

Reference:

1. PLOS ONE. Accessed November 28, 2024. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0307957.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Ankur Deka/MSM)