The Bad Breath Blog

TheraBreath is in Salt Lake City. Dr Katz, celebrity dentist and fresh breath expert, discusses how to have the freshest and most kissably fresh breath possible

Dr Katz appears on tv in Arizona to discuss the latest research and advances in oral care and the treatment of gum disease

Use of TheraBreath products in Bad Breath Patients:

(GCF and Halimeter Values, Effects of Oxygenized Saliva)
by: Drs. G. Acikgoz, I. Devrim, M. Aldikacti, A. Kayipmaz, G. Keles – Professors of Periodontology at The Ondokuz Mayis University Dental School, Department of Periodontology – Samsun, Turkey

This independent study was presented abt the 4th International Symposium on Oral Malodor, held at The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

There are several etiological roles which play a role in the ethiopathogenesis of bad breath. However, the major role is the bacterial production of hydrogen sulphide. These anaerobic bacteria live in areas where oxygen cannot reach them, including the back of the throat and tongue, interproximal areas of the teeth, periodontal pockets and enlarged tonsilla. A benefit to those who suffer with bad breath would be the use of an oxygenating agent which would eliminate the hydrogen sulphide and the anaerobic bacteria.

Twenty-five subjects suffering with bad breath were treated with TheraBreath brand stabilized chlorine dioxide mouthwash, toothgel, and spray. Their progress was monitored by using 3 scientifically reproducible methods:

Flame Gas Chromatography, used to measure the production of Volatile Sulphur Compounds in laboratories.

The Interscan Halimeter, which is used by some dentists to monitor the production of sulphides in their dental offices.

Periotron 8000, which measures the concentration of anaerobic bacteria and sulphides in collected saliva.

Results showed the following:

The Flame Gas Chromatography readings of Volatile Sulphur Compounds decreased significantly following use of the products.

A statistically significant decrease in Halimeter readings, showing that the oxygenating effect of TheraBreath reduced volatile sulfur compounds.

Readings on the Periotron 8000 with regards to patients saliva showed that TheraBreath had a beneficial effect.

Notes: This study was translated from Turkish so that it could be presented at the 4th International Symposium on Oral Malodor at the University of California at Los Angeles.

——————————————————————————–

The following independent study was performed over several weeks at the office of Fred Heller DDS, San Francisco, CA on patients who had bad breath and were then instructed on the use of TheraBreath products.

——————————————————————————–

Reduction of Oral Malodour by a Chlorine Dioxide Containing Mouthrinse; Likely mechanisms of Action in Vivo

H. Chang, J. Greenman, R. Allaker, and E. Lynch

Department of of Conservative Dentistry, Saint Bartholomew’s and the Royal London School of Medicine and Dentistry, QMW, University of London and the University of West England, Bristol, UK

The change in volatile sulfur compounds (VSC) levels intraorally as recorded by a Halimeter was studied as a potential method to investigate the mode of action and efficacy of a chlorine dioxide (ClO2) mouthwash used as an anti-halitosis agent. The Halimeter was used to monitor the levels of H2S (hydrogen sulfide) every 2 minutes following a 0.1% (w/v) cysteine mouthrinse, which was held in the mouth for one minute prior to expectoration.

The results from an initial study with three participants showed that the VSC response reached a maximum recorded level at either 4 or 6 minutes and returned to around baseline levels after approximately 30 to 40 minutes.

Furthermore, a second cysteine mouthrinse applied within 1 to 2 hours following the first rinse gave a trend towards a larger H2S response, indicating inducibility of VSC production. This experiment involved application of a control rinse (water) on day 1 and a chlorine dioxide rinse (test) on day 2, 75 minutes following a first recorded cysteine-H2S response and one hour prior to a second recorded cysteine-H2S response, on 20 participants.

The results showed that the second cysteine-H2S response was significantly reduced (43% reduction; p< 0.05) following the chlorine dioxide rinse test agent, compared to the water control. These results indicate that the mechanism of action of the chlorine dioxide reduction of VSC production is unlikely to be primarily mediated by oxidation of substrate or VSC product.

Microbiological sampling of the tongue flora following cysteine, water, and chlorine dioxide mouthrinses showed no significant differences in the recovery of aerobic, facultative anaerobic, or strict anaerobic tongue species, suggesting that one of the main mechanisms of action of chlorine dioxide may be irreversible inhibition of the major cysteine to H2S enzyme, cysteine desulfhydrase.

The WaterPik Sensonic Professional is a terrific gadget that cleans your mouth more effectively than an ordinary toothbrush. It removes plaque, provides for healthier gums, and leaves your teeth feeling professionally-clean.  Above all, it will save you money by reducing dreaded trips to the dentist!

When I was in dental school, I was trained to teach people the proper technique for brushing:  Spend 30 seconds on each quadrant of your mouth and angle the brush in the appropriate way, making sure to hit the area where the gums meet the teeth.

Back in the 70′s, there were very few types of toothbrushes on the market. But, today, as you walk down the oral care aisle of any supermarket or drug store, you’ll see up to 50 different types of toothbrush styles, with varying handles, bristles, colors, etc. It can be extremely confusing. However, for the most part, it’s safe to say that “a toothbrush is a toothbrush.”  As long as you are using a soft, nylon-bristled brush, you’re in pretty good shape.

The one glaringly obvious exception to this rule is when we’re talking about a “power toothbrush.”  The manufacturers of power toothbrushes claim that they have plenty of studies that show that their power toothbrush will remove more plaque (and volatile sulfur compounds!) than brushing by hand.  Now, is it possible to get the same results with a manual toothbrush? Absolutely, but the reality is that most people are lazy brushers, and you can’t make as many strokes in such a short period of time as you can with a power toothbrush.  To take that even one step further, with the advent of technology it’s now possible to brush with a sonic toothbrush, where its sonic waves can literally help blast away even more plaque and bacterial debris.

So what exactly do I like about the Waterpik Sensonic Toothbrush? Simple – it does an incredibly effective job at cleaning your teeth, while still being gentle on the gums and easy to use.  It also has a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.  When I first opened up the Sensonic to try it out, I was pleasantly surprised with the “heft” of the toothbrush. It wasn’t too big or bulky, but it had a good, professional feel. To me, it felt as if I had a professional dental instrument in my hand.

Included are 2 different brush heads and they are color-coded (in case you’re sharing your brush with another person such as a spouse or child).  My first use was extremely easy – you just have to let the unit charge for a while, but it really was as simple as plugging it in, puting on a brush head, and starting.

The toothbrush is controlled by a single button in the middle of the device that selects 3 different “levels” of speed:

1. Off
2. Low (for gentle cleaning and gum massage)
3. High (for superior plaque removal)

Pressing the button simply toggles between those 3 levels of speeds.

Waterpik Highlights:

• Clinically-proven to remove more plaque than ALL sonic toothbrushes
• Advanced slim brush-head design
• Extra-soft, round-ended bristles
• Dual speeds
• 2-minute timer
• Recharge indicator light
• Includes 3 brush heads (2 advanced brushes and 1 interdental brush)

One nice feature was the built-in timer with a short automatic pause after 30-seconds (a reminder to start brushing your next quadrant!). This toothbrush automatically turns off after 2 minutes (i.e. 4, 30-second intervals).

I have my own suspicions on what percent of people will be able to consistently brush for the entire 2 minutes (I’m guessing less than 15% of you!), however the reality is that although you SHOULD brush for 2 minutes, any amount of brushing at all with this toothbrush is better than none.

I do have one word of warning for you, and that is to make sure you turn off the toothbrush while the bristles are still inside your mouth! The Sensonic moves so quickly, that if you pull the toothbrush out of your mouth while it is still on, you will fling small droplets of toothpaste all over your bathroom mirror!

Oh, one more thing: Studies show that using a power toothbrush with “old-fashioned” toothpaste (the kind that contains sodium lauryl sulfate) will create more foam than a rabid dog. This will definitely make you stop brushing in about 9 seconds. So, if you’re still not a TheraBreath (or any of our other) toothpaste user, now is the time. 

The Hydro Floss®: “A One-Time Investment for a Lifetime of Health & Confidence” – Reduces Tartar and Bacterial Buildup!

 Now you can get to the real source of gum disease, bleeding gums, and bad breath, by using the HydroFloss with Aktivoxigen Serum!

The HydroFloss combines Magneto- hydrodynamics with oral irrigation. By reversing the polarity of the ions at the molecular level, the HydroFloss inhibits the anerobic bacteria’s ability to attach to the tooth/root surface, before they reach a critical mass (which means the beginning of periodontal disease, gingivitis, and bad breath!).

What’s the difference between the HydroFloss and other water irrigation devices? The HydroFloss uses magnetic technology to “pull” plaque, tartar, and bacterial debris off enamel and out from below the gumline.

Here’s a simple explanation on how the HydroFloss provides the highest level of oral hygiene, particularly when used together with AktivOxigen or PerioTherapy Products. Since most of the bacteria are doing their dirty work below the gumline, the only way to attack the cause of the problem is to get into their environment. These anaerobic bacteria (related to the ones that cause bad breath) can easily get under the gumline and between the teeth which can cause periodontal disease and gingivitis. Once they are there, they start to reproduce rapidly and will immediately create plaque in the presence of sugars and other types of food (usually proteins in dairy foods, meat, chicken, fish, etc.).

The sulfur compounds that they produce have a chemical effect on the gum tissue which allows it to become porous and allows other toxins to get under the gums. Once these toxins get into this area, they start to cause gingivitis, periodontal disease, bone loss, loose teeth, and eventually the loss of teeth. This degrading process can be prevented by using the HydroFloss together with Dr Katz’s AktivOxigen or PerioTherapy products. The water/AktivOxigen solution that shoots through the HydroFloss tip becomes “magnetized.”

Plaque is very sticky, but scientifically it attaches tightly to the enamel and roots of your teeth through positive and negative charges. The magnetized water/PeriO2 solution hits the plaque & literally blasts it off the teeth by reversing the polarity at the enamel surface. Nothing else can do this. Once PerioTherapy is blasted under the gumline it will have an oxygenating effect on the bacteria & prevent them from producing the sulfur compounds which started the whole process in the first place.

As periodontal disease progresses, bleeding and sloughing of oral tissue continues, providing a food source for the anaerobic bacteria to produce more sulfur compounds. It then becomes physically impossible to clean below the gum line. That’s where the HydroFloss comes in. To be used properly, we recommend one capful of TheraBreath Oral Rinse to be added to the water trough of the HydroFloss. The oxidizing effect of the TheraBreath formula destroys the bacteria’s ability to break down the proteins and create the sulfur compounds.

Click here to check out the HydroFloss!