Alka-White Mouthwash

Coronavirus-19, or COVID-19, is a novel virus that has been the cause of a global pandemic. Due to the severity of the disease, scientists worldwide have been searching for preventatives and therapies. The proposed method to combat COVID- 19 as a preventative measure and adjuvant treatment is gargling and nasal irrigation. Specifically, Alka-White mouthwash, a natural, effervescent, and alkaline mouthwash, proposes that it would be prime to reduce the viral load of COVID-19 in the Naso-oropharynx.

Alka-White is a product and manufactured in the USA. The main ingredient of Alka-White is sodium bicarbonate, also known as baking soda. Baking soda is found commercially all over the world.

If shown to be effective in reducing the viral load of COVID-19, people worldwide could add this as a tool to combat COVID-19. There is not a shortage of baking soda solutions worldwide; it is already widely available and inexpensive.

Alka-White proposes that it would be prime to reduce the viral load of COVID-19 in the Naso-oropharynx. First, its effervescent characteristic would provide a rigorous flush when gargling, penetrating the lipid membrane, and flushing out the virus. Second, Alka-White is an alkaline solution, and coronavirus has a low pH-dependent fusion activation during entry into host cells. Exposing coronavirus to Alka-White could reduce the viral load as it creates an unfavorable living condition for the virus. 

If Alka-White, or another oral care solution, is proven effective in reducing the viral load of COVID-19 in the respiratory tract, then everyone worldwide would benefit. Gargling and nasal irrigation could be recommended as a prophylactic measure to the general public, adjuvant therapy for those diagnosed, and a safeguard tool for healthcare practitioners. 

With the possibility of another major, more extreme outbreak of COVID-19, occurring in the future, a population-based intervention that is already accessible to millions worldwide would be a significant gamechanger in combatting COVID-19. 

Alka-White is a natural, organic mouthwash, patent #517759481np, that creates an ideal oral environment. The mouthwash comes in a single tube contained with dry, effervescent tablets. A dry tablet is placed in lukewarm water, gargle for fifteen seconds, and then nasal irrigate with the remainder. Alka-White contains ingredients and essential oils such as Sodium Bicarbonate, Xylitol, Coconut Oil, and Tea Tree Oil. Alka-white’s unique characteristics are its alkaline and effervescent features. The action of exposing the oral cavity environment to the pH buffer prevents acidic erosion and decay. Many bacteria and viruses thrive in acidic environments, exposing them to a topical alkaline solution that results in unfavorable living conditions.

 
A large clinical study must be conducted for Alka-White to be proven effective in reducing the viral load of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patients in the oropharynx. It makes logical sense that exposing the oropharynx while gargling to a specific solution could reduce the viral load in that area. However, which solution and why can only be determined through valid extensive clinical trial studies. Recommended next steps to investigate further entail conducting thorough in-vitro and in-vivo clinical research trials. 

This is a population-based intervention; while it is rare to have a target population that includes everyone, in this case it does. Specifically, due to the nature of the COVID-19 and its global impact, this solution targets everyone worldwide.

People worldwide could add gargling and nasal irrigation as a preventative measure to combat COVID-19. Those who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 could use gargling and nasal irrigation to decrease the viral load and reduce symptoms. Moreover, healthcare practitioners could use gargling and nasal irrigation as a tool for themselves in between patients. This could reduce the risk of transmission. For all of this to come to fruition, and extensive clinical trial needs to be conducted.

This challenge is related to pandemics because, currently, the world is going through a global pandemic with COVID-19. With many epidemiologists, including Dr. Fauci, predicting another major outbreak coming soon, it is pertinent that scientists worldwide continue to reach strives to better prepare for the next wave. This is directly related to the pandemic COVID-19 and could make a significant impact worldwide.

Oral garling and nasal irrigating with Alka-White are exceptionally innovative because it would provide the paradigm shift of having another simple but effective tool to combat covid-19. An oral care solution such as Alka-White could provide benefits against COVID-19 because it provides great physical turbulence when gargling due to its effervescent ability. Furthermore, Alka-White is an alkaline solution, the coronavirus family is a pH dependent virus, an alkaline solution would create an inhabitable environment for the virus.  Alka-White, patent #517759481np, is a natural mouthwash that creates an alkaline oral cavity. The mouthwash comes in a single tube contained with dry, effervescent tablets. A dry tablet is placed in lukewarm water, gargle for fifteen seconds and then nasal irrigate with the remainder. Alka-White contains ingredients and essential oils such as Sodium Bicarbonate, Xylitol, Coconut Oil, and Tea Tree Oil. 

Alka-White is a dry mouthwash. Transporting liquid solutions is difficult because of the weight and room associated with liquid form. Dry oral care product allows for easier transporation and storage, which could be execeptionally important for a world-wide pandemic.

Alka-White has a unique combination of products giving it effervescent, alkaline and natural characterstics. 

Alka-White has a patent #517759481np for its technology. 

https://vimeo.com/alkawhite

https://alkawhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/alka_white_published_article.pdf

https://www.ecronicon.com/ecde/ECDE-19-01433.php

With clinical trials conducted and proper evidene collected, we believe the mass as a whole will adapt to this product. Following the theory of disruptive innovation, we hope to gain attention of the scientific community, or early adopters, before reaching out to latter stages such as late adopters. 

This solution has potential to serve millions per year. We are able to scale accordingly, as we work with a large manufacturer in America. We currently sell the product world wide. 

 Alka-White is a product and manufactured in the USA. The main ingredient of Alka-White is sodium bicarbonate, or baking soda. Baking soda is found commercially all over the world. If Alka-White, or another oral care solution, is proven effective in reducing the viral load of COVID-19 in the respiratory tract, then everyone worldwide would benefit. Gargling and nasal irrigation could be recommended as a prophylactic measure to the general public, an adjuvant therapy for those diagnosed and a safeguard tool for healthcare practitioners. 

Barriers that currently exist entail funding for a clinical trial study. 

The biggest barrier currently is attaining funding for a clinical trial. We plan to overcome this barrier by applying to multiple grants for funding. 

Full time staff: 2

Independent contractor: 1

Dr. Lewis Gross, has worked as a dentist for 40 years. Dr. Gross has taught at Columbia Dental School where he graduated. Dr. Lewis Gross as a holistic dentist has unique insight in the oral cavity and combatting disease. Dr. Lewis Gross and his team are in a great position to deliver this solution to the world. 

Due to privacy, Business Model will not be shared, however it is important to note we are manufactured in the United States and have a successful Business Model. Both a business model canvas and social impact canvas have been filled out for internal use.

For Alka-White, financial sustainability happens through selling the product. As the product is already selling, we have established exact price points for earnings. Funding a clinical study is costly, however the upside of helping the global community combat COVID-19 and its second wave, make it more than worth it. 

We believe we have a product that can be of great benefit to the global community during this pandemic. We are applying to Solve in hopes of helping that come to a reality.

With funding, we would be able to conduct clinical trials and help the population as a whole. WIthout the clinical trials, all evidence would be anectodal and unacceptable to the scientific community. 

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We are qualifed because we are a for profit company with the potential to impact millions of lives by decreasing the viral load of COVID-19 in the posterior pharynx.