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 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. 

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Oral Hygiene

Daily Oral Routine For Fresh Breath and A Healthy Mouth!

These instructions are to be followed 2-3 TIMES/DAY, definitely after breakfast and before bedtime, and ideally after lunch. For patients who can not follow this routine after lunch, we recommend choosing one of either TheraBreath FreshStrips, Chewing Gum, ZOX Breath Lozenges, or my TheraBreath PLUS Extinguisher Spray to maintain fresh breath throughout the day.

    * It is important that you remember not to use any water with these products as they need to remain undiluted.

    *Also, keep the bottle of oral rinse and the toothgel tube tightly closed and away from the sun when not in use. Never store the mouth rinse in a clear plastic bottle.

      Instructions:
         1. Floss your teeth thoroughly so that the dental floss passes through all places where your teeth contacts your gums. Pay special attention to the teeth toward the rear of your mouth. You may need to use more than one piece of dental floss for entire mouth.

         2. After you are done flossing, gently scrape your tongue with the rounded edge of the Tongue Scraper 4-5 strokes, moving the tongue cleaner forward each time. This will help in removing the mucous layer which has been protecting the bacteria living on your tongue. (Do not scrape vigorously to the point of bleeding; just firm enough to remove the mucous layer.)

         3. Rinse off the Tongue Scraper, then apply a small amount of TheraBreath/ PerioTherapy/ TheraBreath PLUS Toothpaste to the rounded edge of the Tongue Scraper and gently scrape another 4-5 strokes. This step applies the powerful oxygenating toothgel to the newly exposed surface of your tongue, thus allowing the oxygenating action to begin. Reach as far back as possible without gagging. DO NOT RINSE. You can then wash off the tongue scraper after this step. Ideally, you want to allow the toothgel to stay on the surface of your tongue while you brush normally.

         4. Place a normal amount of TheraBreath Toothgel on a dry toothbrush and brush for 2-3 minutes, making sure to brush the inside and outside of the gumline. Besides your teeth, also make sure to include the roof of your mouth and the inside of your cheeks with this brushing. (The bacteria are extemely sticky and end up almost everywhere in your mouth.) Notice that I keep stressing the word gently – you do not have to brush hard, but make sure that you are thorough. When brushing your teeth, remember to angle the brush towards your gumline, feeling the bristles gently sliding under the gumline. Do not rinse with water after this step. You may, however, spit out any excess saliva and toothgel.

         5. In order to rinse out your mouth properly and in order to attack the bacteria, pour 2 capfuls of TheraBreath Oral Rinse into a clean glass. Rinse the toothgel from your mouth with this rinse. While doing so, “swish” the rinse all over your mouth for 60-90 seconds in order to cover all the oral surfaces with the concentrated oxygen. Although I don’t recommend it – you can drink directly from the bottle, just try not to backwash into the bottle as this could contaminate the rinse.

         6. Take 2 additional fresh capfuls of the rinse, and gargle for 90 seconds, attempting to get the rinse as far back as possible, without gagging. After gargling, spit out the rinse. (Do not eat or drink anything for 20 minutes following this procedure). If some of the rinse is swallowed, do not be alarmed. It is completely safe if digested.

         7. (Optional for people with bad breath from the sinuses): Blow your nose to clear out any excess mucous from your nasal passages. Put 1-2 drops of the TheraBreath Nasal-Sinus Drops or 1-2 ’spritzes’ of TheraBreath Nasal-Sinus Spray in each nostril . Tilt your head back and allow the drops/spray to run through your sinus passages and down the back of your throat.

Dr. Katz’s Summary: Are you a 17-second brusher?

Taking a few minutes each day to be thorough with your oral care will guarantee fresh breath and cleaner teeth.  Use my detailed “Daily Oral Routine Guide” to get started.  Let me ask you a quick question…Suppose you had been out in the garden all day long doing yardwork. You’ve been weeding, digging in the dirt, taking care of your rosebushes, etc. You’ve put in a hard day’s work and your hands (and arms) are filthy, up to your elbows!

When it comes time to clean up, which of these two options is most appropriate?
 
Option #1:  Give your hands a quick rinse with water and a squirt of hand soap and be done with it…
 
— or —
 
Option #2:  Spend some time rinsing off all the loose dirt, work up a nice soapy lather, and scrub your hands and arms thoroughly under water to get off the accumulated dirt of the day.
 
Obviously, Option #2 is the right answer (I hope, anyway). I guess maybe if you live in a cave then your answer might vary, but for most people I’d say they would agree the answer Option #2.  So, if you wanted to clean your hands better, and the solution is to be more thorough, doesn’t it make sense that if you want fresher breath and cleaner teeth, the solution is to be more thorough also?  Think about it, every day you eat a variety of food and drink, and all kinds of food particles get mashed into the cracks of your teeth and the recesses of your gums.  Doesn’t it make sense that you may need to spend a little time getting that out?

Let me ask you two more questions:

Question #1:
How many times does the average person brush
their teeth per day?

The answer is 1.1 times/day. Nationwide, the average person brushes their teeth slightly over once per day. As shocking as that is, it’s NOTHING compared to the answer to the next question…

Question #2:
How long does the average person spend on oral care per day?

The average person in the US spends only 17 seconds each time they brush their teeth! Just 17 seconds! Whew…that’s not long at all!

Now, I’m not telling you to spend hours in the bathroom brushing your teeth. I realize for most people that’s just not practical, but I will say this: If you spend 3 MINUTES BRUSHING YOUR TEETH (twice a day) and follow the thorough instructions of use (shown below) for 1 week, you will be absolutely amazed at how clean and fresh your mouth feels. And I guarantee your breath will be better, too.  So, do it for 1 week and see how you feel, and from then on, try to be this thorough at least 2-3 times/week. Your mouth (and those around you) will thank you for it!

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“Savvy Senior” tells us about gum disease — the current statistics, the causes and effects, and the simple preventive measures we can take. Gum disease is more common — and more dangerous than you think. Periotherapy and good oral hygiene are the best weapons against gum disease.

Gum disease — silent but deadly.

October 16, 2007

Dear Savvy Senior: I recently read that gum disease can cause all different types of deadly health conditions. As a senior who brushes regularly and flosses occasionally, what can you tell me about this? — Hate to Floss

Dear Floss: By taking better care of your mouth (which includes daily flossing), you could actually add years to your life! Here’s what you should know.

Dental Services If you don’t have dental insurance or can’t afford professional dental care, some communities and clinics offer discounted or free services to seniors in need, and most dental schools offer low-cost checkups and cleanings. Contact your state dental association (see www.ada.org/ada/organizations ) or your Area Agency on Aging (call (800) 677-1116 to get your local number) to find out what may be available in your area. Also check out the Bureau of Primary Health Care ( www.ask.hrsa.gov/pc ; (888) 275-4772) and the National Foundation of Dentistry for the Handicapped ( www.nfdh.org — click on “Donated Dental Services” or call (888) 471-6334).

Gum disease

Also known as periodontal disease, gum disease is a silent epidemic in this country. Currently, 80 percent of all adults in the United States have some form of gum disease – which ranges from simple gum inflammation (called gingivitis), to serious a disease (called periodontitis) that can infect the gums, bone and other tissue surrounding the teeth.

Consequences

If you have gum disease, you have greatly increased your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. How? Because the bacteria-rich plaque that builds up on your teeth (that’s what causes gum disease) releases toxins into your bloodstream that can inflame your arteries and cause small blood clots. But that’s not all. There are other health problems linked to gum disease such as pancreatic cancer, respiratory diseases, kidney disease, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, stomach ulcers and even pregnancy complications.

Are you at risk?

Most people develop gum disease because they simply don’t keep their mouths clean. But there are other factors that can increase your risk, including:
• Smoking: Need another reason to quit? Smoking is the number one risk factor for gum disease.
• Age: Older people have a greater risk of periodontal disease because they have more wear and tear on their gums.
• Genetics: If you have a family history of gum disease your risk goes up.
• Medications: Some medications (antihistamines, antidepressants, high blood pressure medications, some heart medicines and many others) can cause dry mouth, and the lack of saliva contributes to gum disease. If you have dry mouth, talk to your doctor or dentist.
• Deficient diet: A diet lacking proper amounts of calcium and vitamin C can contribute to gum disease too.
• Hormonal changes: Changes that occur during pregnancy, menopause or even menstruation can make gums more susceptible for women.
• Diabetes: People with diabetes have a higher risk of developing gum disease. It also makes blood glucose levels harder to control.

Savvy Tip: Check your risk for gum disease at www.perio.org — click on “Assess Your Gum Disease Risk.”

Simple solutions

It only takes about five minutes a day to keep your gums healthy. Here are some simple and familiar ways you can take the bite out of gum disease:
• Brush: At least twice a day brush your teeth using fluoride toothpaste and learn how to brush properly. See www.webmd.com/oral-health for a refresher course on brushing and flossing. Also use a toothbrush that has soft bristles. Hard or stiff bristles are more likely to injure your gums. And be sure to replace your brush every three months or so. (Tip: Power toothbrushes with rotating or vibrating bristles have shown to be more effective at removing plaque than manual brushes. See www.oralb.com for oral care products.)
• Floss: Do it at least once a day either before or after you brush. The sequence doesn’t matter as long as you do a thorough job. Flossing removes plaque and food particles from between the teeth and under the gum line and is absolutely necessary.• Get checkups: See your dentist every six months for regular cleanings and oral exams.

Source: (http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com)

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Dr. Katz gives you a friendly bad breath tip. Stay tuned for bad breath tips once a week.

Do not brush your teeth in a hurry. Brushing your teeth two minutes every time will do wonders for your breath.

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Dr. Katz, who is on a nationwide “bad breath mission tour” gets down to the basics of bad breath with Vicky Hallett of Read Express.

IF YOU’RE LOOKING for someone to kiss, try the streets of Columbus, Ohio. That’s what dentist-bacteriologist Harold Katz says, anyway. Armed with a device called a Halimeter, the author of “The Bad Breath Bible” is touring the nation to give out gold stars or break the news that, yes, that odor is completely offensive. The current standings have the Midwestern city as the country’s fresh-breath front-runner. To prepare our city for his impending arrival (although the date isn’t scheduled yet), Katz has some tips on making mouths more fragrant.

» EXPRESS: Are people aware of how stinky their breath is?
» KATZ: No, people don’t know they have bad breath. Their brains get used to their odors.

» EXPRESS: So, what causes bad breath?
» KATZ: A dry mouth is the number one cause. People don’t drink enough water to replenish their saliva, and many mouthwashes are full of alcohol, which just dries mouths out more. The teeth have very little to do with it — it comes from bacteria in the back of the throat. The odor you smell in bad breath comes from anaerobic sulphur-producing bacteria, so it stays away from oxygen.

» EXPRESS: But can’t you scrape your tongue?
» KATZ: That does help somewhat, but people who use traditional toothpaste to do it are making their tongues dry, and you don’t want to keep the tongue dry.

» EXPRESS: Garlic can impact breath, but are any foods surprising?
» KATZ: We recommend that if you go to a party that you look for things that are juicy, like fruits. Dairy foods are a big problem because they contain proteins that can break down and smell.

» EXPRESS: Do breath mints help?
» KATZ: Not much, especially if it contains sugar. The way you grow bacteria in a lab is to give it sugar.

» EXPRESS: I hear you’ve worked with celebrities. Any good stories?
» KATZ: I can’t name names, but I treated a singer who had a lounge act. The people at the front tables would go to the back of the room. Also, smokers and drinkers end up with bad breath, so actors have major issues with kissing scenes.

» EXPRESS: How do you politely tell someone they have foul breath?
» KATZ: We have a tell-a-friend program [on the Web site Therabreath.com]. They’ll get an e-mail explaining what bad breath is all about. We’re not here to insult them.

» EXPRESS: Can bad breath be a sign of something more than dry mouth?
» KATZ: Quite often we talk about this as a funny thing, but there’s a strong link to illness when you have those high levels of sulphur. It means you’re susceptible to gum disease. Once gums are puffy and bleeding, that’s a chronic infection. There’s a higher incidence of heart attacks and strokes. Signs that things are out of balance could lead to serious consequences.

» EXPRESS: Any other breath-freshening tips for our readers?
» KATZ: Drinking a six-pack of beer is not the same as drinking water. And we highly recommend flossing. It’s one of these things people avoid, but in those crevices is where the bacteria are hiding from oxygen. Also, certain medications — anti-histamines, anti-depressants — can make the mouth dry. So, people who never had bad breath might get it with a new prescription.

» EXPRESS: I know you haven’t tested D.C. breath yet, but any thoughts on how politicians will do?
» KATZ: People who talk a lot use up their saliva, and their breath starts to become offensive. So, if they want to get votes, they should drink plenty of water on the campaign trail.

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Our Product Formulations: An Overview

TheraBreath, AktivOxigen, and TheraBrite are the first chlorine dioxide based products to be sold in retail stores. They are based on clinically-proven formulas developed and tested for many years on thousands of patients at the California Breath Clinics by Dr. Harold Katz. (TheraBreath PLUS & PerioTherapy are available only from us on-line or by phone order.)

Many people have tried to copy our products and their formulations, but as hard as they try, they always come up short. The reason: Our products are made with proprietary pharmaceutical-grade chlorine dioxide and specific oxychlor complexes, both in the active and stabilized formats, using technology developed by the leading scientists in this field. Despite what jealous competitors may say, we use chlorine dioxide in our products at concentrations sufficient enough to make us the best-selling, direct to the public brand, both in the U.S. and worldwide. No one comes close.

When GNC (natural heath product retailers) went searching for the BEST oral products for their very selective customers, they chose TheraBreath, TheraBrite, and AktivOxigen from the California Breath Clinics. When Wegmans Supermarkets wanted the finest breath products, they chose TheraBreath, and when Walgreens searched the ClO2 market, they chose TheraBreath as their exclusive professional breath product. When SelfCare Catalog dropped Profresh because of poor sales, they chose AktivOxigen and TheraBrite.

We do not use any alcohol, detergents (sodium lauryl sulfate), saccharin, artificial colors or artificial flavors in any of our formulas. We do not need to use bleach to generate ClO2 (bleach is used in Profresh). And, we don’t need to fool the public by creating strong medicinal or minty masking flavors, because our formulas work!

If you’re looking for definitive scientific proof on which oral product reduces VSC safely and rapidly, just look at these independent tests from June, 2000.

TheraBreath Nasal Sinus Drops:
The first Oxygenating Solution To attack Bad Breath and Mucous/Post Nasal Drip BEYOND the tongue, sinus, throat, and tonsils. All Natural Triple Strength formula prevents anaerobic bacteria from producing volatile sulfur compounds. No preservatives (no allergens like Benzalkonium Chloride) or artificial flavors.

Simply tilt your head back and squeeze out 3-4 drops into each nostril during the day to get to the source of the problem! And, because it’s all natural, there’s no danger in using too much. If you have post nasal drip, allergies, dry mouth, or tonsils, this product, in conjunction with our other clinically-proven oral products, is the best recommended solution.

The ingredients are: Purified and filtered water, Oxyd-8 (proprietary stabilized oxychlor compounds), zinc gluconate, sodium bicarbonate, tea tree oil, essential oil of spearmint, citric acid, sodium benzoate, PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil.

There is no ephedra or drugs used in the formula. All of the components are derived from plants or nature.

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TheraBreath Nasal-Sinus Spray:
Same powerful formula as our Nasal Sinus Drops, but packaged in a convenient spray bottle. Simply displense 1-2 powerful ’spritzes’ into your sinuses and feel the oxygenating power of OXYD-8 go to work BEYOND your tongue, sinuses, throat, and tonsils. All Natural Triple Strength formula prevents anaerobic bacteria from producing volatile sulfur compounds. No preservatives (no allergens like Benzalkonium Chloride) or artificial flavors.

Simply place the spray bottle into each nostril and dispense 1-2 ’spritzes’. With the Nasal Sinus Spray, some patients may notice a slight burning – this is normal and is due to the Tea Tree Oil. If you have post nasal drip, allergies, dry mouth, or tonsils, this product, in conjunction with our other clinically-proven oral products is for YOU!

The ingredients are: Purified and filtered water, Oxyd-8 (proprietary stabilized oxychlor compounds), zinc gluconate, sodium bicarbonate, tea tree oil, essential oil of spearmint, citric acid, sodium benzoate, PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil.

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TheraBreath Oral Rinse:
Purified Water, Oxyd-8 (proprietary stabilized Oxychlor compounds), sodium bicarbonate, PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil, essential oil of peppermint, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, tetrasodium EDTA.
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TheraBreath PLUS Oral Rinse:
Purified Water, concentrated Oxyd-8 (proprietary stabilized Oxychlor compounds), zinc gluconate, sodium bicarbonate, tea tree oil, essential oil of spearmint, citric acid, sodium benzoate, PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil.
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TheraBreath Toothgel:
Sorbitol, hydrated silica, water, aloe barbadensis gel, glycerin, Oxyd-8 (proprietary stabilized Oxychlor compounds), tetrapotassium pyrophosphate, tetrasodium pyrophosphate, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, carrageenan, xylitol, sodium fluoride, essential oil of peppermint, sodium benzoate.
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TheraBreath PowerDrops:
Purified Water, highly concentrated Oxyd-8 (proprietary stabilized Oxychlor compounds), sodium bicarbonate, PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil, essential oil of peppermint, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, tetrasodium EDTA.
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Click Here to Order (4 Pak.)

TheraBreath PLUS ToothGel:
Sorbitol, Hydrated Silica, water, aloe barbadensis gel, glycerin, oxyd-8 (proprietary stabilized Oxychlor compounds), tetrapotassium pyrophosphate, tetrasodium pyrophosphate, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, carrageenan, sodium fluoride, zinc gluconate, ubiquinone (Co-Q10), essential oil of peppermint, natural flavor, sodium benzoate.
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TheraBreath Spray:
Purified Water, concentrated Oxyd-8 (proprietary stabilized Oxychlor compounds), sodium bicarbonate, PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil, essential oil of peppermint, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, tetrasodium EDTA.
Click Here to Order. More product ingredient lists to appear so

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Waterpik’s advanced brush design and soft, round-ended bristles effectively attack plaque.

Dr. Katz’s Summary:
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.

Waterpik Highlights:

• 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
• 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)

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.

Now, to take that even one step further, with the advent of technology it’s now possible to brush with a “sonic” toothbrush, whose “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.

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:

“It really was as simple as plugging it in, putting on a brush head, and starting.”

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.

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!

Overall, this is a very effective power toothbrush that I highly recommend as
a standard part of every person (and families) daily oral care.
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.

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Bad breath is caused by Anaerobic Sulfur Producing Bacteria which normally live WITHIN the surface of the tongue and in the throat. These bacteria are supposed to be there, because they assist humans in digestion by breaking down proteins found in specific foods, mucous or phlegm, blood, and in diseased or “broken-down” oral tissue. Under certain conditions, these bacteria start to break down proteins at a very high rate. Proteins are made up of Amino Acids. Two of the Amino Acids (Cysteine and Methionine) are dense with sulfur.

When these “beneficial” bacteria come into contact with these compounds, the odorous and “lousy-tasting” sulfur compounds are released from the back of the tongue and throat, as Hydrogen Sulfide, Methyl Mercaptan, and other odorous and bad tasting compounds. These “problem” compounds are often referred to as volatile sulfur compounds (VSC), where volatile means Vaporous and Effervescent, two adjectives which accurately describe their ability to offend other people instantly.

Because my original degree is in Bacteriology, let me explain a very important fact about these “bugs”. They are not “bad guys” – they are not infectious. Everyone in the world has the same group of bacteria in their mouth. You cannot “catch” bad breath from someone else – even by kissing. Since they are part of our normal oral flora, you cannot permanently remove them from your mouth – not by tongue scraping, not by antibiotics, and not by rinses which claim to “lift the bacteria off your tongue”. The only scientifically proven and clinically effective method of halting halitosis-2/" title="Halitosis">Halitosis is by attacking the bacteria’s ability to produce VSC and by converting the VSC into non-odorous and non-tasting organic salts. (I should know, I’ve personally treated nearly 10,000 people at my California Breath Clinics and I’ve helped thousands more through my TheraBreath formulas. Take a look at a small fraction of testimonial letters to see What Doesn’t Work!

Speaking about bacteria, there is one other fact that you must understand about these bacteria. They are classified as “Anaerobic” – which literally means “Without Oxygen”. They thrive in an environment where Oxygen is NOT present. That is why they DO NOT LIVE ON THE SURFACE OF YOUR TONGUE! They live in between the papillae (fibers) that make up your tongue!

These sulfur compounds are actually by-products of anaerobic bacteria (Fusobacterium and Actinomyces, among others). Everyone needs these bacteria, because they assist the digestion process. But, unfortunately, for some, as yet undetermined reason these particular bacteria are found in higher numbers in those anguished by Bad Breath. (Various theories attribute this to hormonal changes, a history of medications, usually antibiotics or sulfa drugs-which create an imbalance of oral bacteria, or even Genetics-these disorders appear to run in some families.) We do know however, that it seems to be evenly split between men and women.

Conditions under which the problem becomes worse:

Dry Mouth
Although some cases of dry mouth are naturally occurring, most cases are caused by one of these factors; prescription medications (usually prescribed for high blood pressure or depression) antihistamines, and adult beverages, with alcohol in them. (see “Why Regular Products Don’t Work”)

When your mouth is dryer, you have less Saliva. Saliva naturally contains Oxygen, which keeps your mouth healthy and fresh. These bacteria are anaerobic, which simply means that they will thrive and make more sulfur in the presence of little or no oxygen. Thus if you have less Saliva, you have less oxygen, thereby creating an anaerobic environment, perfect for the bacteria to produce more of these odorous and sour/bitter compounds. For people with Dry Mouth, products such as Saliva Stimulation Tablets can help greatly.

Post-Nasal Drip
We know that proteins contain amino acids, which in turn contain sulfur compounds (see text above). When a person has a post nasal drip, mucus drains and coats the back of the tongue and throat, exactly where bacteria live (see diagram above). Since mucus is made up of interlinked strands of protein, the bacteria have a field day, breaking down these proteins into odorous and sour tasting sulfur type compounds. Strong Antihistamines don’t help, because the drying effect of the antihistamines also creates a problem. The only method of ending the odor and taste are to use Oxyd-VIII based oral products. Many of my patients with post nasal drip have claimed great success with use of the Nasal-Sinus Drops.

What About The Sinuses?
After personally treating nearly 9,000 people worldwide, I have yet to see a patient get rid of his bad breath following sinus surgery. First of all, these anaerobic bacteria cannot live in the sinuses. When someone has a sinus infection, one of the common symptoms are intense sinus headaches, caused by the pressure from the infection in the sinus. If you don’t have these powerful headaches, you probably don’t have a sinus problem. The fact is that once someone has an elevated amount of these anaerobic bacteria, they will create the problem from any protein source, including mucous, phlegm, etc, which drain down the back of your throat into the area where these bacteria live.

High Protein Foods
These bacteria love those proteins, and certain foods are packed with them:

Milk and Cheese and most other dairy products. (The fat content does not matter.) If you are lactose intolerant, do not eat or drink these products! Since your system cannot digest them properly, they are available to the bacteria for an extended period of time. A recent research article from the Los Angeles Times (November 1996) on lactose intolerance showed that nearly 67% of all Americans can be classified as “Lactose Intolerant”. This is due to the fact that in a diverse population such as we have here, there is a predilection for Asians, Hispanics, and African-Americans to be lactose intolerant.

Fish are high in proteins. As many people eat a high fish diet, logically they make the problem worse.

Coffee with caffeine (and even without) contains high levels of acids which cause the bacteria to reproduce more rapidly and create a bitter taste for many people. (Virtually any acidic type of food will do this.)

Coffee drinking was one of the problems that my patients used to have. After starting my treatment, they have been able to go back to coffee drinking (in moderation of course) without any bitter tastes afterward.

What Works?
Oxyd-VIII is the active ingredient in TheraBreath products. It prevents the anaerobic bacteria from creating the odorous sulfide and Mercaptan compounds by “adding oxygen” to the environment. The end result is the formation of a “Sulfate”, which has no odor or taste. Most of my patients start out with a Starter Kit and work their way up from there if necessary.

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