Application of hypochlorous acid generator in oral infection control

In the process of oral diagnosis and treatment. The Dental Unit Waterlines (DUWLs) has always been the focus and difficulty of nosocomial infection control. Due to its slender pipe, small diameter. And the existence of negative pressure suction in daily use. It is easy to form “biofilm” in the pipe wall that is difficult to remove. Resulting in excessive bacteria and even pathogenic bacteria pollution in the water source. This not only affects the effect of diagnosis and treatment. But also poses a potential risk of cross-infection for patients with low immunity.

The water structure of dental treatment equipment is special. And the slender pipe makes the water flow slow. Which is easy to breed bacteria in normal temperature environment. Traditional disinfection methods often rely on the manual addition of disinfection tablets or chemicals to water storage tanks at regular intervals. This method is not only complicated to operate. But also has the problems of unstable concentration and incomplete disinfection. And may even cause corrosion of precision instruments due to chemical residues

Academic research data revealed the seriousness of the problem: field disinfection tests showed that the water quality of dental chair waterways without disinfection intervention was only 29.17%. This means that more than 70% of the dental chair waterways may be in the state of “disease-carrying operation” under normal conditions, and microbial contamination has become a hidden danger that cannot be ignored in oral diagnosis and treatment.

Hypochlorous acid (HClO) is the main component of human immune cell sterilization. Is recognize as one of the most safe and efficient disinfectant. Hypochlorous acid generator through advanced electrolysis technology (including diaphragm electrolysis ). Dilute hydrochloric acid or salt solution into high purity, high stability of slightly acidic hypochlorous acid aqueous solution

Compared with traditional chlorine-containing disinfectants, hypochlorous acid generators have the following unique advantages:

• High safety: its pH value is close to neutral (5.0-6.5). And the effective chlorine concentration only needs 10-50ppm to achieve efficient sterilization. It does not stimulate the mucous membrane. And can even be use for disinfection of hands, skin and fruits and vegetables, non-toxic through the mouth, even a small amount into the patient’s mouth will not cause discomfort or injury.
• Broad spectrum of sterilization and high efficiency: hypochlorous acid can quickly destroy the cell wall of bacteria. Viruses and spores. Not only can kill the conventional Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other drug-resistant bacteria and common bacteria in the medical environment also has a strong killing effect.
• Continuous bacterIOstatic: THE ready-made and ready-used hypochlorous acid water has continuous oxidation ability. Which can effectively inhibit the re-formation of biofilm and provide long-term protection

With the development of technology. A new generation of hypochlorous acid generator is no longer a simple disinfectant manufacturing machine. But an intelligent sensing and control platform integrated with Internet of things technology.

Taking the city’s first non-electrolytic hypochlorous acid generator introduced by an affiliated stomatological hospital in China as an example. The equipment realizes automatic operation and remote monitoring. Through the intelligent management platform. The staff can view the disinfection status of each dental chair in real time. The concentration of disinfectant and pH value and other key parameters. Once the system detects the data anomaly. It will immediately issue an alarm to ensure the quality of disinfection is foolproof

In practical application, the equipment is usually connect with the water supply system of the hospital, and the hypochlorous acid water in line with the standard is generated, which is directly delivered to each dental chair terminal through the frequency conversion booster pump. This kind of central water supply mode not only solves the previous single dental chair independent dosing, but also meets the water supply demand of multiple dental chairs (such as 15-27) used at the same time. Clinical data showed that after continuous perfusion disinfection with electrolytic slightly acidic hypochlorous acid water with 20 mg/L available chlorine, the qualified rate of water quality could be greatly improved from less than 30% to nearly 80%, and the qualified disinfection effect could be maintained for several weeks

The application of hypochlorous acid generator in the medical industry is not only a replacement of disinfection tools, but also an upgrade of the concept of sense and control. It makes the disinfection process safer, more transparent, more controllable, and protects the health of each health care worker while protecting the patient.

Hypochlorous acid generators are recommend to address biofilm contamination in dental waterways (DUWLs) while being both efficient and safe.