Five good things to know about bad breath.

1. There are two types of bad breath.

   Transitory bad breath is caused by foods like garlic and onions and generally only lasts from 24 to 72 hours.

   Chronic bad breath does not improve over time. The "odor" of chronic bad breath results when bacteria in the mouth and on the tongue cause the formation of volatile sulfur compounds (VSC's) in the form of hydrogen sulfides. The back of the tongue is the prime breeding spot for anaerobic bacteria that creates odor-causing Volatile Sulfur Compounds. This may be an ongoing problem requiring professional breath management.

2. BreathRx fights both the cause and the affect of bad breath.

   BreathRx contains ZYTEX^TM, a unique and powerful dual-action complex that fights bad breath two ways: #1 - ZYTEX reduces the foul smelling volatile sulfur compounds which provide the "odor" of bad breath. #2 - ZYTEX kills the gram negative organisms responsible for the production of VSC's.

3. Now, even chronic bad breath can be effectively managed.

   There is no permanent cure for the cause of 90% of chronic bad breath. But now, thanks to BreathRx, the freshest possible breath can become a daily reality.

   In some instances, chronic bad breath is actually caused by undelying medical conditions like diabetes, sinusitis or emphysema. And in those rare situations, treating the disease could possibly eliminate the cause of the bad breath. Fortunately, we can help diagnose the various types and causes of bad breath.

4. Products that only mask bad breath are bad news.

   Most over-the-counter products do not eliminate bad breath. They can only hide it temporarily. An independent study of fifteen mouthwash products showed that while they all masked bad breath after ten minutes, only a few were still working after a few hours.

   And when it comes to something as important as your breath, you shouldn't rely on something that can let you down at any moment. Also, most mouthwash products contain alcohol that dries soft oral tissue and ultimately leads to even faster formation of odor-causing bacteria.

   Additionally, a 1991 study quoted in the "Journal of the American Dental Association" indicated that mouthwashes "containing more than 25% alcohol could increase the risk of oral and pharyngeal cancers by about 50%."

   Fortunately, that's a risk you don't have to take. Because 100% alcohol-free BreathRx kills both the cause and the resulting odors of bad breath. That's how BreathRx outperforms other products that can only mask odor or remain effective for only a matter of minutes.

5. Even good friends won't tell you about your bad breath.

   We've all had friends, relatives and co-workers with less than fresh breath. We turn away when they talk, or shy away when they kiss. Why? Because there's just no easy way to bring up such a sensitive subject.

   But the situation is far from hopeless. We can assess your individual situation and provide the BreathRx products to help you maintain the freshest breath possible.

Don't Just Worry About your Breath... Manage It!

Begin and end each day by fighting the cause and the effect of bad breath. Brush with the BreathRx Purifying Toothpaste. Next, scrape your tongue with the Gentle Tongue Scraper and deep-clean the surface of your tongue with the Anti-Bacterial Tongue Gel. Then, rinse with the Anti-Bacterial Mouth Rinse. While you're on the go, try these handy BreathRx products that refresh your breath anywhere, anytime: Sugar-Free Breath Mints, Anti-Bacterial Breath Spray, Sugar-Free HalispheresTM Gum.

Note: If you or somebody you know needs a product like BreathRx and are too sensitive to seek professional dental advice in person, you can e-mail us your breath related concern for a professional evaluation and recommendation. We can even mail the recommended BreathRx product to you at home! It's that easy. Do it for yourself or do it for them!

• How does daily mechanical tongue deplaquing enhance fresh breath and improve my oral health?

  Fresh breath can be achieved through daily use of a tongue scraper and anti-bacterial gel. The mechanics of tongue deplaquing removes decomposed food debris and trapped bacteria from the fissures and crevices of the tongue. This will significantly reduce the production of Volatile Sulfur Compounds (VCS's) which are the main cause of oral malodor.

  An anti-bacterial tongue gel can be deposited into the fissures of the tongue where the majority of odor-causing bacteria reside. And, it kills the bacteria that cannot be removed by scraping alone. The inclusion of tongue deplaquing with an anti-bacterial agent will reduce the overall number of pathogenic oral flora and will result in improved oral health.

• Is tongue deplaquing more effective than tongue brusing?

  Data supports that daily tongue deplaquing with a tongue scraper is not only more effective in removing harmful bacteria, but safer. A study conducted by Dr. Ronald Mangie compared tongue scraping to tongue brushing and concluded the following:

  1. Tongue scraping is more effective in reducing the total number of organisms compared to tongue brushing.

  2. Tongue scraping can safely improve oral hygiene and plaque control more effectively than tongue brushing.

  3. Tongue scraping produces a clinically cleaner (pinker) tongue as compared to tongue brushing.

  4. Tongue scraping was found to be more comfortable than tongue brushing.

  Since the tongue surface is comprised of many micro pockets, a toothbrush is not effective in removing harmful and odor causing bacteria. Tongue scraping allows an evenly applied pressure that will expel bacteria and food debris, resulting in a cleaner tongue and ultimately a healthier oral cavity.

• Will I get the same results using over-the-counter products versus professional strength products?

  Probably not. It's very important for you to receive professional instructions when addressing oral malodor. As a dental professional, we can review your oral health and history to help determine the source of the malodor and provide an appropriate treatment protocol. Plus, you are more likely to continue your advanced oral care routine, when properly instructed from the beginning.

• Why are anti-bacterial ingredients important in products that control oral malodor?

  Anti-bacterial agents such as thymol and educalyptus oil are important because they kill the Gram negative bacteria responsible for producing the odor causing Volatile Sulfur Compounds (VSC's). The most effective oral care products will also include an odor-neutralizing compound such as zinc chloride for immediate results.

  It's also important to note that alcohol containing mouth rinses can dehydrate oral soft tissue, cause irritation, reduce salivary flow and actually increase oral malodor.

• What if I do not have the opportunity to brush or rinse during the day?

  There are several products that are available to help you feel confident about your breath anytime, anywhere. They include:
  
  

  • Sugar-Free Mints
  • Sugar-Free Chewing Gums
  • Anti-Bacterial Breath Sprays