Ameliorating Periodontitis by Local Treatment with Warfarin and/or Other Vitamin K Oxide Reductase Inhibitors

Abstract

A new indication for the Warfarin family of drugs is described. In patients suffering from chronic periodontitis, continued systemic medication with Warfarin causes a significant reduction in their chronic periodontitis, including reduction in the frequency and severity of gingival inflammation occurrences, and significant decrease in the buildup of dental plaque and tartar. Delivery of Warfarin or its analogs directly to the oral fluid using toothpaste, mouthwash, chewing gum, dental floss, toothbrush, pill, and other forms are described to reduce chronic periodontitis, dental plaque, and dental tartar.

1 . A method for treating a patient suffering from gingivitis with a vitamin K oxide-reductase inhibitor, the method comprising the steps of:
 determining the presence of  Porphyromonas gingivalis  in the patient's oral cavity;   delivering a vitamin K oxide-reductase inhibitor to the patient's oral fluid.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the vitamin K oxide-reductase inhibitor is Warfarin. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the concentration of Warfarin in the oral fluid is at least 1×10 −7 M. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the vitamin K oxide-reductase inhibitor is a Warfarin analog. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the vitamin K oxide-reductase inhibitor is introduced to the patient's oral fluid through toothpaste. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the vitamin K oxide-reductase inhibitor is introduced to the patient's oral fluid through mouthwash. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the vitamin K oxide-reductase inhibitor is introduced to the patient's oral fluid through chewing gum. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the vitamin K oxide-reductase inhibitor is introduced to the patient's oral fluid through dental floss. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the vitamin K oxide-reductase inhibitor is introduced to the patient's oral fluid through a pill. 
     
     
         10 . A gingivitis treatment comprising:
 a vitamin K oxide-reductase inhibitor;   a mechanism to deliver vitamin K inhibitor to  Porphyromonas gingivalis  in oral fluid in a patient's oral cavity.   
     
     
         11 . The gingivitis treatment of  claim 10  wherein the vitamin K oxide-reductase inhibitor is Warfarin. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the concentration of Warfarin in the oral fluid is at least 1×10 −7 M. 
     
     
         13 . The gingivitis treatment of  claim 10  wherein the vitamin K oxide-reductase inhibitor is a Warfarin analog. 
     
     
         14 . The gingivitis treatment of  claim 10  wherein the mechanism is toothpaste. 
     
     
         15 . The gingivitis treatment of  claim 10  wherein the mechanism is mouthwash. 
     
     
         16 . The gingivitis treatment of  claim 10  wherein the mechanism is chewing gum. 
     
     
         17 . The gingivitis treatment of  claim 10  wherein the mechanism is dental floss. 
     
     
         18 . The gingivitis treatment of  claim 10  wherein the mechanism is a pill.