Contrary to popular belief, even if mouthwash is used to rinse and is discarded after 60 seconds, alcohol and dye still get absorbed into the blood stream. In a recent double-blinded study just completed at the University of California, Irvine, blood alcohol and dye levels were measured both 30 seconds and 5 minutes after rinsing with Listerine vs. Lumineux Oral Essentials Clean and Fresh mouthwash. The results showed both alcohol and dye were absorbed in the blood stream after 30 seconds and more dye showed up in the blood stream after 5 mins when using Listerine. This is an important differentiator as Lumineux products do not contain any alcohol or dye. (Study)

In light of the above information, it was clear that there was a need for safe, effective and great-tasting oral care products.  At Lumineux Oral Essentials we believe that you should not have to choose between a product that is good for you and a product that actually works.

Current research has shown the importance of protection of the microbiome, mainly good bacteria in the gut and skin. However, recent research also shows the same principles can be applied to the oral cavity since the oral microbiome is responsible for protection against disease and infection. Therefore, products that kill all the bacteria, including the 98% of protective bacteria in the mouth, ignore the harmful and the long-term concerns in the microbiology community.

The founders of Lumineux Oral Essentials include Dr. Kourosh Maddahi (CV), Dr. Hessam Nowzari, former chairman of Advance Periodontics at USC (CV), and Deborah Looper, RDH (CV). Combined, they represent more than 85 years of dental experience in clinical and research settings.

Lumineux Oral Essentials is the first and only full line of patented oral care products that are Certified Non-Toxic, Microbiome Safe, and Dentist Formulated that neutralize the toxins of harmful bacteria backed by more than 20 years of research. (Studies)

Lumineux Oral Essentials has the following products for the corresponding conditions:

Clean and Fresh Mouthwash and Toothpaste has a patented formula for reducing plaque and inflammation, including a statistically significant reduction in inflammatory markers (TNF alpha and IL 1Beta). (Study)

Whitening Mouthwash, Toothpaste and Whitening strips are a safe, peroxide free, clinically proven at home regimen. They can be used either as a home whitening product for patients that have teeth sensitivity or as a follow up maintenance after a professional office whitening treatment. (Study) 

Sensitivity Mouthwash and Toothpaste reduces root sensitivity and tooth sensitivity due to enamel erosion by providing a protective coating of minerals of Dead Sea Salt (Study) and also has shown remineralization properties in an independent university study (Study)

Hydrating Mouthwash to relieve symptoms of xerostomia (Dry Mouth).  In a head to head study with Biotene Mouthwash, Luminuex Oral Essentials Hydrating Mouthwash showed to increase saliva flow of participants suffering from Dry Mouth by 250% (Study)  

Lumineux Oral Essentials products do not contain hydrogen peroxide, but instead, have a patented formula of coconut, sage and lemon peel oil that has been clinically shown to whiten teeth without sensitivity or gum irritation. (Study) 

As a cosmetic dentist in Beverly Hills with the most demanding patients in the world, I have personally witnessed the evolution of whitening products over the years.  For the first 20 years of my practice, the whitening results of in-office and professional at-home whitening treatments would last about a year for 80% of my patients. However, over the last 10 years, due to much higher consumption of coffee, tea, red wine, green juices, red juices and even green tea, I have seen the whitening results of in-office or at-home whitening last only 1-3 months for 80% of my patients. This is the main reason that I created whitening products that are safe to use on a daily basis.  

Hydrogen peroxide has an etching action on enamel; for this reason patients are informed not to consume any staining liquids or food for 24-48 hours after whitening treatment.  Overuse of peroxide containing whitening products will cause enamel damage in addition to tooth sensitivity.  

The long-term solution for patients with intrinsic discolored teeth is bonding, veneers or crowns.  All whitening products are only effective on extrinsic discoloration.  In addition, for the first 20 years I did not see much staining on veneers or crowns either. However, for the same reasons mentioned above, I have seen staining on 60% of the veneers and crowns in my office.  

Lumineux Oral Essentials whitening strips are safe to use on bonding and porcelain restorations and have clinically shown to whiten stained dental restoration as well. (Study)

To date there have been a total of 51 combined laboratory, clinical and independent university studies of Lumineux Oral Essentials products. (Studies)

Microbiome is a collection of microorganisms that live in or on the human body in a symbiotic relationship in the following ways:  

Microbiome is necessary for the development of the immune system.Microbiome also prevents the adhesion and colonization of bacterial pathogens and parasites by covering the surface of the oral cavity, gut, skin, nose and ears.Microbiome provides protection against viral infections by priming the immune response to avoid infection. Some bacterial species are required to increase the antiviral response. This is done by exposing the body to low levels of antigens that create antibodies against invading pathogens.  

Microbiome is found in the following locations inside the oral cavity:

1. Tooth Surfaces

2. Tonsils

3. Tongue

4. Gingiva

5. Dental plaque

6. Oropharyngeal region

A recent study published in May 2018 states: “Synergy and interaction of variable oral microorganisms help the human body against the invasion of undesirable outside stimulation. However, an imbalance of microbial flora contributes to oral and systemic diseases. Oral microbiomes play an important role in the human microbial community and human health. The use of recently developed molecular methods has greatly expanded our knowledge of the composition and function of the oral microbiome in health and disease”. (Study)

Role of Microbiome throughout the body:

1. Aids our digestive system

2. Production of needed vitamins such as Biotin and Vitamin K

3. Keeps the harmful bacteria at bay

4. Safeguards our skin

5. Fortifies our immune system

6. Influences anxiety and depression

Gum disease has been linked to multiple systemic diseases such as:

1. Cardiovascular disease

2. Diabetes

3. Lung cancer

4. Colorectal cancer

5. Premature and low weight babies

At Lumineux Oral Essentials we believe Registered Dental Hygienists (“RDH”) play an integral role in assisting individuals and groups in achieving and maintaining optimal oral health. Dental hygienists provide educational, clinical, and consultative services to individuals and populations of all ages in a variety of settings and capacities. In addition to great clinical and diagnostic skills, RDH’s have a long-term rapport with their patients which makes them unique in recommending and enforcing the use of proper oral care products and habits.

Dentists are the first point of contact with dental patients.  The dentist’s ability to diagnose both periodontal conditions and the detection of caries is vital in long-term preservation of their patient’s dentition and oral health.  Additionally, dentists play an important role in oral cancer screening.

In the past 20 years a multitude of studies have linked gum disease with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, lung and colorectal cancer, premature babies and Alzheimer’s.  The role of healthcare professionals is to find the root causes of the above-mentioned diseases. Collaboration with dentists has never been more important.   

Fluoride: Potential Developmental Neurotoxicity

Fluoride is added to municipal water supplies and dental products, such as toothpaste, to prevent or reduce tooth decay. People are primarily exposed to fluoride from drinking water and from the use of fluoridated dental products, with water fluoridation representing 30% to 70% of a typical individual’s total exposure. Fluoride is also used in consumer products such as cleaning supplies and industrial applications. Workers in some occupations may also be exposed to fluoride by inhaling fluoride compounds at their place of employment.

Systematic Reviews on Potential Health Effects of Fluoride

Completed Systematic Review

In 2016, the National Toxicology Program completed a systematic review of the published animal literature looking at neurobehavioral effects of exposure to fluoride during development and adulthood in rats and mice. The assessment found a low to moderate level of evidence that supports adverse effects on learning and memory in animals exposed to fluoride in their diet or drinking water. The evidence was strongest in animals exposed as adults and weaker in animals exposed during development.

The animal studies typically evaluated developmental exposure to fluoride at levels higher than 0.7 parts per million, the recommended level for community water fluoridation in the United States. Additional research is underway to attempt to replicate these findings at water concentrations closer to the levels used in community water fluoridation.

 The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association of Pediatrics on Aug 19, 2019, found that increased levels of fluoride exposure during pregnancy were associated with declines in IQ in children. Previous research has made similar findings, but this is the first such study to evaluate the effect of fluoride on populations receiving what the US Public Health Service considers optimal levels of 0.7 milligrams of fluoride per liter of drinking water, such as in the United States and Canada.

The authors of the new study assessed 601 Canadian mother and child pairs, tracking the fluoride exposure of 512 of the mothers by looking at the average concentration of fluoride in urine samples taken throughout their pregnancies as a proxy for prenatal fluoride exposure. The authors also estimated the mothers' daily fluoride intake by surveying their beverage intake, including tap water. Between the ages of 3 and 4, all children born from the studied mothers were tested for IQ.

The authors found that for each additional 1 milligram per liter in concentration of fluoride in a mother's urine, there was a 4.5-point drop in IQ in males. The study did not find such a significant association in female children, nor did it examine why boys were more significantly affected.

The researchers say that further investigation into whether boys are more vulnerable to fluoride neurotoxicity is needed, especially considering that boys have a higher prevalence of neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and attention-deficit disorder. 

The authors believe that urine concentration better reflects prenatal exposure. They found that for every 1 mg/L average increase in fluoride intake by a mother, there was a 3.7-point drop in the child's IQ, regardless of gender.

The US Food and Drug Administration is proposing a lower concentration level standard for fluoride in bottled water, yet some scientists and environmental groups believe that the proposed limit is still too high and poses a danger to human health.

If finalized, the new regulation will lower allowable levels of fluoride in domestically packaged and imported bottled water to 0.7 milligrams per liter, a slight reduction from the current standard range of between 0.8 and 1.7 milligrams per liter allowed by the FDA.

The proposed standard would apply only to bottled water with added fluoride. It would not affect allowable levels of fluoride in bottled water that may contain fluoride from source water.

The FDA's proposed rule aligns with a 2015 recommendation from the US Public Health Service, part of the US Department of Health and Human Services, that suggests 0.7 milligrams per liter is the optimal fluoride concentration for community water systems that add fluoride.

The new rule, "…is based on findings from evolving research on optimal concentrations of fluoride that balances fluoride's benefits in preventing tooth decay with its risk of causing dental fluorosis, a condition most often characterized by white patches on teeth," the FDA said in its statement. Dental fluorosis is caused by taking in too much fluoride over a long period when adult teeth are forming under the gums. Some scientists' concerns extend far beyond fluorosis.

"Given that fluoride can damage brain development, I would recommend that the maximum fluoride concentration in bottled water be kept at a lower level than 0.7 mg/L," said Dr. Philippe Grandjean, an adjunct professor of environmental health at the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health.

 Christopher Neurath, research director of the American Environmental Health Studies Project, which is connected to the Fluoride Action Network, an environmental advocacy group, said, "Currently, there are rapidly increasing scientific studies showing neurotoxicity to fluoride with research showing a direct link between children's IQ and their level of fluoride exposure in the womb: That is our largest concern."

The American Dental Association (ADA) noted that science-based organizations including the ADA and the American Academy of Pediatrics, "…fully support the public health benefits of community water fluoridation." 

The association also noted that the newly proposed level helps prevent tooth decay, while not increasing the risk of dental fluorosis, which among Americans is primarily a cosmetic condition that doesn't affect the health or function of teeth. "Even with the availability of other sources of fluoride, community water fluoridation prevents tooth decay by at least 25% in both children and adults," the association said.

Traditionally, mouthwash was advertised as a breath freshening product. Over the years, mouthwashes have become therapeutic agents. In addition, since brushing only covers 24% of the mouth, use of mouthwash in conjunction with brushing and flossing has become more important. At Lumineux Oral Essentials, we have seen the best results with the combination of our therapeutic mouthwashes and toothpaste as part of the oral hygiene routine.  

In the past 15 years the interest for natural alternatives to chemically filled products has increased tremendously. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of essential oils make them a unique choice in oral care. Multiple studies have shown the efficacy of essential oils in plaque and inflammation reduction (Study)

Xylitol, a five-carbon sugar polyol, has been found to be promising in reducing dental caries disease and also in reversing the process of early caries. (Study)

A lack of clinical studies to prove efficacy and the ineffective results have disappointed dental professionals and consumers over the years. In order to overcome this issue, Lumineux has undertaken 51 clinical, laboratory and university studies to validate its safety (Studies) and efficacy. (Studies)

Toothbrush

We are proud to have a 100% biodegradable toothbrush with a bamboo handle and natural castor oil bristles.  The rate of decomposition is approximately 3 years. Unfortunately, due to bulk purchasing, no engraving is possible.

• Clean and Fresh Mouthwash and Toothpaste

• Brush with Lumineux Clean and Fresh 2-3 times a day

• Use one capful of Lumineux Clean and Fresh mouthwash

• Rinse for 60 seconds 2-3 times a day

• No food or drink for 30 minutes after brushing and rinsing

• Whitening Mouthwash, Toothpaste and Whitening strips

• Brush teeth with Lumineux Whitening Toothpaste 2-3 times a day

• Use one capful of Lumineux Whitening Mouthwash

• Rinse for 60 seconds 2 times a day

• Whitening strips can first be used 14 days in a row, and then once   a week after that

• No food or drink for 30 minutes after brushing and rinsing

• Sensitivity Mouthwash

• Sensitivity Toothpaste

• Brush teeth with Lumineux Sensitivity Toothpaste 2-3 times a day

• Use one capful of Lumineux Sensitivity Mouthwash

• Rinse for 60 seconds 2 times a day

• No food or drink for 30 minutes after brushing and rinsing

• Hydrating Mouthwash and Clean and Fresh Toothpaste

• Brush teeth with Clean and Fresh Toothpaste 2-3 times a day

• Use one capful of Lumineux Hydrating Mouthwash

• Rinse for 60 seconds 3-4 times a day

• No food or drink for 30 minutes after brushing and rinsing

Clean and Fresh Toothpaste:  87.4

Whitening Toothpaste:  86.8

Sensitivity Toothpaste:  85.5

Kids Toothpaste:  92.5

RDA (Study)

• Electric toothbrush

• Dry mouth lozenges

• Kids bamboo toothbrush

• Kids bubble gum toothpaste

• Specially designed toothpaste packaging for boys

• Floss

• Mints