As you know Hypochlorous Acid

As you know, or office maintains the highest level of infection control measures to assure your safety while in our office. We have recently been introduced to a product that is relatively new to dentistry. It is a compound known as hypochlorous acid. It is 100 percent safe for humans, non-toxic, and natural. It has been used in the medical field for over a century. Before antibiotics were available, it was used to irrigate and disinfect wounds in World War I.  It destroys bacteria, bacterial spores, and viruses 100 times more effectively than chlorine bleach. And, it inactivates bacteria and viruses in literally seconds instead of minutes. It is now being used in many sectors such as the airline industry, hotels, and daycare settings. When you go into a grocery store and see a mist being applied to produce, this is not water, but a diluted solution of hypochlorous acid.

Hypochlorous acid occurs naturally in our bodies. Neutrophils, white blood cells which detect invading pathogens, produce hypochlorous acid which destroys the viral particles by disrupting  the outer envelope and the genetic material within.

It is on the list of chemicals approved by the Environmental Protection Agency as a disinfecting agent against viruses, including the SARS2 COVID19 virus. It is recognized by the CDC in their most current guidelines for disinfection in healthcare settings. It can be applied through spray bottles and mops to disinfect contact surfaces, equipment, floors, and bathrooms. It can even be sprayed directly on clothing and shoes as it does not cause the discoloration seen with chlorine bleach.

In addition, it can be applied broadly using foggers. Fogging allows the disinfectant to reach areas that are often missed by direct application such as under tables, chair, and in crevices. It is 100% safe for our patients and staff. It does not require special handling. This allows us to provide you with an even safer environment than ever before.

If hypochlorous acid is such a powerful weapon against pathogens, why hasn’t it been widely used in the past? One very important reason is that it was very cost prohibitive until recently. And, it is stable for only days before it breaks down into saltwater. We have been able to overcome this obstacle. We have purchased the equipment to generate hypochlorous acid on-site and on demand. Therefore, it is always fresh and effective.

We will be glad to provide you with any further information about hypochlorous acid and its applications.