by Jerry Gin, Ph.D.
In addition to the foods you eat with strong odors (e.g., onions and garlic), a major source of bad breath is the bacterial load in
your mouth. There are billions of bacteria in your mouth. When you eat, you are not only feeding your body, you are also feeding
the bacteria in your mouth. The usual doubling time for well-fed bacteria is 20 minutes. Anaerobic bacteria, which do not metabolize
oxygen, are a main source for producing Volatile Sulfur Compounds (VSC) which cause bad breath (halitosis). Anaerobic bacteria, which
do not metabolize oxygen, give off volatile sulfur compounds. These bacteria thrive on dense protein foods (dairy, fish, meat, eggs,
nuts and beans), sugars, and acidic foods and drinks (sodas, coffee, juices, fatty meals).
Saliva is used to wash away bacteria and food so bad breath problems also occur if saliva production is decreased. Decreased saliva
(dry mouth) occurs when sleeping with an open mouth or snoring, consuming alcohol, and smoking. A primary culprit for dry mouth are
most prescription and allergy drugs as well as and many over the counter drugs which have dry mouth as a side effect.
Reducing volatile sulfur compounds and bacterial levels with natural ingredients are the two keys for reducing bad breath. Zinc captures
and eliminates volatile sulfur compounds so products with zinc work exceptionally well. There are certain natural ingredients which
help reduce bacterial levels to control halitosis. Essential oils, such as peppermint, actually are natural anti-bacterials. However,
the amount of essential oils in gums and after dinner mints are quite low and thus not too effective; in addition, candy mints will
just supply more food for bacterial growth. Xylitol is a sugar that is not metabolized by bacteria so that when bacteria ingest xylitol,
it will not promote bacterial growth. Thus, having xylitol is a beneficial feature.
Dentiva is an exceptional product for bad breath since it contains zinc for capturing VSC as well as xylitol and peppermint for reducing
the amount of bacterial in the mouth. If dry mouth and lack of saliva is a problem, then Salese, which also has zinc,
xylitol and peppermint,
would be the product of choice.
In addition to fighting halitosis, Dentiva and Salese offer oral health benefits. With xylitol and peppermint, they both reduce bacteria
which is the basis for plaque formation. Plaque results in gingivitis (inflamed and bleeding gums) and periodontitis (advanced gum
disease, leading to loss of teeth).In addition, both products also releases bicarbonate to neutralize acids from bacteria (e.g., lactic
acid) which can dissolve the enamel of your teeth, causing cavities. Thus, Dentiva and Salese fights cavities. Dentiva also contains
calcium to help remineralize teeth.
Your dentist is correct - the main defense in fighting bacteria is brushing and flossing your teeth. However, in our busy lives - whether
at work, school, or on dates, it is often not feasible to brush. Mouth washes help reduce bacteria, but, like brushing your teeth,
it is very seldom feasible to carry a mouthwash for all those occasions away from home. Some of the mouth washes contain anti-bacterials
and some contain essential oils, often with alcohol. For fighting bad breath, some mouth washes contain zinc. Non-sugar chewing gum
is another alternative
which can help for those who enjoy chewing gum when it is feasible to do so, depending upon the social situation. The preferred product
is the long acting lozenge, Dentiva, which contain essential oils and xylitol for reducing bacterial levels, zinc for fighting halitosis,
and bicarbonate to neutralize cavity promoting acids. For those with dry mouth (xerostomia), there is a long lasting lozenge, Salese,
which contain the same beneficial ingredients as well as an ingredient to lubricate the mouth.
Summary
Bad breath (halitosis) and oral health problems, ranging from tooth decay to gum diseases such as gingivitis (inflamed and bleeding
gums) and periodontitis (serious inflammation of the gums, leading to teeth loss), most often have their origins in the bacterial
load in mouth, typically in the form of plaque. In addition to brushing and flossing, there are other strategies including mouth washes,
gums, and lozenges which contain natural ingredients which are beneficial to reducing the bacterial load as well as removing the odor
causing sulfur compounds. Dentiva is long acting lozenge with these beneficial ingredients for improved breath and oral health. Salese
is the lozenges for dry mouth which contain the same ingredients as Dentiva, but with an ingredient for dry mouth.
Jerry Gin, Ph.D.,
is a biochemist, specializing in health care. He has many years of working experience in laboratory medicine, pharmaceuticals,
diagnostics, dentistry, and ophthalmology. See
www.nuvorainc.com
for information on the long lasting lozenges.
