Throughout history, references to this social taboo and its attempted cure are recorded. In the past, kings declared bad breath as a legitimate reason for a woman to leave her husband. The swooning of Vivian Leigh in "Gone With the Wind" was more likely due to Clark Gable's notoriously bad breath rather than his "lady killer" reputation.

Those who don't suffer from bad breath have no idea of the disturbing effect it can have on the lives of sufferers. Social ridicule and on going embarrassment, can damage both one's career and private life.
Until recently, bad breath has been a problem that has literally been ignored by healthcare providers. Now, however, researchers and clinicians around the world are addressing this concern. In the process, they are helping millions of patients uncover and thankfully cure this affliction.

Finally in the Oxyfresh range of products we have the answer to your prayers!

A 20 year history

As long ago as 1983, Oxyfresh USA Inc. developed a patented form of stabilised Chlorine Dioxide called "Oxygene" ®.

This Oxygene ® has been incorporated in Oxyfresh toothpaste and mouthrinses. Thus while these products have just made it across the Pacific they have been available in the USA for nearly fourteen years. Now they are available in Australia.

Why do I get Bad Breath?

Some people have bad breath and deserve bad breath. They pay scant attention to their oral hygiene, they neglect their dental health - many haven't seen a dentist for years!

This however is the minority. Most suffers of bad breath in fact have better than average oral hygiene.

Why? - because they are so aware of their problem that they try very hard to ensure their brushing is up to scratch. They often spend large amounts of money on useless mouthwashes and breath mints that do little other than mask the odour and even that is for a short time only!

What then causes this problem?

Research has shown that virtually all cases (up to 98%) of bad breath are caused by Volatile Sulphur Compounds - VSC's.

The two main VSC culprits are methyl mercaptans and hydrogen sulphide or rotten egg gas! This is where the unpleasant odour comes from.

These VSC's originate in the oral cavity as a result of the action of anaerobic bacteria - those that do not like oxygen. When these bacteria come into contact with food particles, they grow and produce toxic waste
products. These bacterial toxins or poisons causes microscopic destruction of the oral tissues. This tissue destruction causes the release of noxious , putrefied gases - or VSC's.

Common oral anaerobic hide outs are the tongue, the gums, faulty dental restorations and dentures.

The back of the tongue is the most common area where these oxygen-hating bacteria thrive. A thick, whitish or yellow film on the back of the tongue can indicate the presence of these offensive bacteria. Picture the tongue as a shag carpet with the taste buds acting as the carpet pile. This type of texture allows the bacteria to get worked into the crevices leaving them almost inaccessible to clean - that is of course until the Oolitt, a specially designed tongue cleaner, came along!

To make matters worse, these bugs, if left on the tongue, get covered up by saliva and mucous. This produces the oxygen- starved environment that they love and as a result they are able to multiply uncontrollably then die by the billions. The decaying bacteria cause more of these noxious odours. Use of the Oolitt tongue cleaner as part of the Fresh Breath program will dramatically reduce the effect of these bugs!

Another common hide out for the noxious bacteria is the gums. Our gums form a trough around teeth where food particles can accumulate. Once packed below the gum line, the food particles feed the bacteria
allowing them to multiply and cause a similar sort of tissue destruction as described on the tongue surface. Again this toxic activity produces foul odours.

Plaque deposits on teeth have also been shown to contain two components of the human tissue's bacterial digestion. These components are highly malodorous, offensive smelling and are often the culprits of malodour.

Gingivitis, an inflammation of the gums, and periodontal (gum) disease, an inflammation of the gums also involving damage to the bone supporting the teeth, are visible indications that bacterial destruction is occurring in your mouth. Gingivitis and periodontal disease produce a very objectionable foul or putrid smell.

While gingivitis is usually easily controlled by adequate plaque removal, periodontal disease may require more involved treatment to control it. Without treatment not only will you lose your friends because of your bad breath but you will also end up losing your teeth!

Dental fillings that are not thoroughly cleaned can fail, allowing billions of bacteria to penetrate beneath them, This can lead to further tooth destruction and foul odours. If you don't clean under fixed bridges daily they are a top hiding place for food and bacteria.

As partial and complete dentures are often made of a porous acrylic material it is essential to maintain their cleanliness by removing and thoroughly cleaning them after meals. Periodically the dentures should also be soaked overnight in a denture cleanser. Oxyfresh is a very effective deodoriser for dentures.

Regular dental visits, involving a thorough assessment of your gum health as well as professional cleaning of your teeth, are an important part of the program to control bad breath.

As we have mentioned some people do all the right things and still have problems with bad breath. It is possible that some people may inherit a tendency to bad breath!

This is where Oxyfresh makes the difference. Use your Oolitt and Oxyfresh products as directed and they WILL make a difference!

Safety proven over 50 years!

Just as common salt contains chlorine, so does Chlorine Dioxide, the active ingredient of Oxyfresh products. It is very important to realise that pure Chlorine and Chlorine when in the form of Chlorine Dioxide are two very different compounds.

Stabilised Chlorine Dioxide is an ingredient that has been used in water purification for over 50 years to eliminate many micro-organisms. It has been EPA tested and recommended over chlorine for water purification.

Chlorine, as it reacts in water, releases trihalomethanes, which are known carcinogenic substances.

Stabilised Chlorine Dioxide, when activated, initiates an oxidation reaction, producing a solution which is definitely non-carcinogenic.

Thus we have long term data demonstrating this safety. To back this up, studies completed at the Ohio State University School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology have shown that Chlorine Dioxide is safe even if large quantities are ingested over a long period.

Oxyfresh's Stabilised Chlorine Dioxide NEVER breaks down into chlorine and does not initiate free radical generation. It is also known to be non toxic, non-carcinogenic and completely safe.

Eat, Drink and Breathe!

There is a well known saying amongst healthy eaters - "We are what we eat!".

We have our own version - "We Breathe What We Eat - and Drink"!

There are certain foods that tend to linger and render an unfortunate individual with socially unacceptable breath for different reasons.

• Radishes, cauliflower and cabbage actually contain gases that induce belching.
  
  
• Meats and fish are high in sulphur-containing amino acids.
  
  
• Alcoholic drinks not only contain distinct odour, but also produce dehydration.
  
  
• Dairy foods, such as milk and butter, are not tolerated well by some people.
  
  
• Onions, garlic and broccoli are high in sulphur content.

In our digestive process, when protein - which is high in sulphur content - is ingested, the sulphur is released and becomes odiferous for a lengthy period of time - days until the body is able to utilise this sulphur or completely expel it.

Dairy foods, as mentioned above, can be very difficult for some people to digest. They will often produce a thickening of the mucous at the back of the throat and tongue. The thick mucous creates a protective layer
on the back of the tongue and thus stimulates an increase in the numbers of bacteria living there.

Alcohol is another interesting one to consider. It has already been mentioned that consumption of alcohol will promote dehydration and resulting reduced saliva flow. However the alcohol can also act in a
more direct fashion - particularly the alcohol in some mouthwashes. Because alcohol evaporates very quickly , it will dry out the oral tissues when used as a mouthrinse. Thus using an alcohol mouthrinse to improve your breath is, in fact, likely to make it worse, especially after the masking smell wears off.

A more sinister concern regarding the regular use of alcohol containing mouthrinses is that recent retrospective studies indicate that there is a possible link between prolonged and regular use of these alcohol containing mouthwashes and increased oral cancer rates. Oxyfresh products contain no alcohol!

Another odour-causing substance is coffee. Its strong aromatic roasting process and caffeine content produces a more lingering breath odour than does tea.

Chewing sugar free chewing gum between meals will also aid this. Most importantly -
drink plenty of water.
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It is appropriate to also discuss the affects of tobacco on your breath. Besides the negatives caused by the actual smell associated with cigarette smoking, smoking causes the mouth to become extremely dry. This dry oral environment is perfect for the overgrowth of the VSC causing bacteria and so promotes bad breath. While ceasing smoking as part of the Fresh Breath Program will certainly aid the elimination of bad breath, it is important to say that even if smoking continues there will be a dramatic improvement in your breath!

If you need more information on this topic or wish to trial the Oxyfresh range of products, please contact us.