Simple regimen eliminates chronic bad breath
Brushing twice a day with antibacterial toothpaste and using a toothbrush with a built-in tongue scraper can eliminate chronic bad breath, according to research presented at the 2008 annual meeting of the American Association for Dental Research in Dallas, Texas. Chronic bad breath, or halitosis, is often caused by the breakdown of bacteria in the mouth, producing foul-smelling sulfur compounds. It is estimated that 25 percent of adults suffer the embarrassment of chronic bad breath and the percentage may be as high as 50 percent in older adults. Triclosan is an antibacterial agent used in acne medications, hand soaps, detergents and deodorants. "Most toothpastes do not contain triclosan," Dr. Joseph J. Zambon, who was involved in the research, informed. At the beginning and end of the study, researchers measured mouth air levels of odor-causing bacteria and analysed tongue scrapings for 20 species of bacteria known to cause bad breath. According to the researchers, brushing twice daily with triclosan-containing toothpaste and using a tongue scraper reduced levels of odor-causing bacteria in the mouth from an average slightly more than 400 parts-per-billion at the start of the study to an average of 100 parts-per-billion at the end of the 28-day study period.
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