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Send in the mints
Here's a worst-case scenario: You've been out having a long lunch with some old buddies. There was this garlic bratwurst on the menu, perfect with raw onions, spicy mustard, sauerkraut, and horseradish. Not to mention chili fries on the side, a beer or two, and a big plate of dried cuttlefish. Your cell phone rings and it's your boss telling you that tomorrow's meeting with that really important client -- the one who hates hot dogs, beer, and cuttlefish -- has been changed to this afternoon and you better be ready to impress. Unfortunately, your toothbrush is at home and there's nowhere to buy one on the way. Whatever will you do?
Relax, breath fresheners can help. Seeing as how you're in such a classy joint, there's probably even a big bowl of them sitting on the counter next to the door.
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Battling Against Bacteria
- Garlic and onion breath are bad, but the true culprits behind truly horrendous mouth odor are bacteria.
- After you eat a meal, have a snack, or drink a beverage, remnants of food particles stay in your mouth. This is a veritable feast for the microbes lurking on your teeth, gums, and tongue.
- The bacterial byproducts not only cause tooth decay, but some components are smelly.
Control Bacterial Growth
- The best way to avoid bad breath (short of no longer eating) is to stop bacterial byproducts from forming. This is best accomplished by brushing your teeth after you eat, as well as your tongue.
- It's not always possible to brush after meals; breath fresheners can mask byproduct odors or react with them to eliminate odor.
- Another alternative is to rinse your mouth out with mouthwash after meals. Some contain antimicrobial agents that can slow bacteria growth.
- Remember, nothing beats a good brushing to eliminate mouth odor.
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Flavoring agents
These chemicals have strong flavors and odors. The are used to cover up the odors of bad breath. They do not stop the cause of bad breath, bacteria, or absorb the noxious odors.
Sweeteners
Artificial sweeteners are used in oral hygiene products because natural sugars promote tooth decay. These chemicals are used to make the taste of oral care products more appealing without promoting tooth decay.
Humectants
Humectants are novel chemicals that attract water, keeping your mouth moist. They are incorporated into oral care products as a vehicle for other active ingredients.
| Flavoring Agents | Ingredient | Description |
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| Menthol | ? | Can be purified from peppermint plants or made synthetically. It has a pleasant, minty flavor and odor. | | Methyl salicylate | ? | Also called oil of wintergreen, it has a pleasant, minty smell and flavor. Unfortunately, it is highly toxic. Just 10 ml and 30 ml are toxic doses for a child and adult, respectively. | | Cinnamaldehyde | ? | Gives cinnamon its flavor and smell. | | Sweeteners | Ingredient | Description |
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| Saccharin | ? | An artificial sweetener that is 300 times sweeter than normal sugar. It has been linked to cancer in rats. | | Aspartame | ? | Made from the amino acids phenylalanine and aspartate. It is an artificial sweetener approximately 200 times sweeter than normal sugar and should not be used if you suffer from the hereditary disorder phenylketonuria. | | Humectants | Ingredient | Description |
|---|
| Sorbitol | ? | Has a sweet flavor and works as a humectant. | | Glycerin | ? | A humectant with a sweet flavor. |
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Appropriate Uses
Breath drop
Freshens bad breath.
Breath spray
Freshens bad breath.
Internal breath freshener
Reduces bad breath.
Common Misconceptions
Breath drop
Cannot claim to cure any medical conditions that may be causing bad breath.
Breath spray
Cannot claim to cure any medical conditions that may be causing bad breath.
Internal breath freshener
Cannot claim to cure any medical conditions that may be causing bad breath.
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Be Cautious About Allergies
Do not use if you are allergic to any ingredient in the product.
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Websites, Organizations & Manufacturers
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