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A recent study showed that mouthwashes (even "antibacterial" brands), gums, and breath mints merely mask the bad breath problem. It showed that they only work for a short time (an hour at most) because the bacteria in the mouth are still alive and well. Americans spent over 1 billion dollars last year on mouthwashes, sprays, gum, and mints. Even though they are so popular they are still shown to be very ineffective. Even if you are using an antibacterial mouth-wash, the bacteria are comfortable lurking in the safety under the coating of the tongue. All of the mouthwashes currently available over the counter add to the "compost pile" on the tongue, instead of reducing it. Of interest also is the fact that the antibacterial pastes and washes used today alter the chemical and/or biochemical situation in the mouth, for example by changing the PH there. Possibly the worst ingredient used in rinses is alcohol, due to it's drying nature in the mouth itself. This promotes the multiplying of the anaerobic bacteria, and there is indications that their long-term use can cause oral cancers. So many people spend their hard earned money on ineffective cover-ups like mouthwash, gum, sprays, and mints without ever getting to the root of the problem. It will cost more than 180.00 a year to have just a single pack of mints every day, for example, and many spend more than that. You see, the way we have been dealing with bad breath and oral hygiene has not kept pace with the times. In an age of instant global communication and deep space exploration, you would expect that we would have made much more progress in cleaning our mouths. Think about it for a moment. Why do you use a toothbrush? If the same results could be achieved with a mouthwash as a toothbrush, then no one would bother with a brush, they would just "rinse and go". We all know that it would not work, so why would we expect the tongue to be clean after a "quick rinse" of chemical-laden mouthwash. Recent studies have shown up to 90% of all cases of halitosis (bad breath) can be atributed to the decomposing of the coating on the tongue, and harmful bacteria that are not removed by brushing, flossing, or gargling alone. Our regular oral hygiene routine does not include cleaning our tongues properly, and hence the bacteria build up undisturbed, according to recent research. Many dentists even tell their patients to clean their tongues with a toothbrush. "Tongue-brushing" is not reccommended because the toothbrush will hold onto the bacteria and contaminate it causing more infection on next use. This process is totally unclean, and who is willing to throw out their brush after each use? The fact is that brushing the tongue simply pushes the plaque and bacteria more deeply into the "filliform". It does not deal with the real problem which lies at the back of the tongue. As "plaque" is to the teeth and gums, the "coating" is to the tongue. Brushing alone does not solve the problem. Although it is a step in the right direction, it merely loosens the coating. It does not remove it.
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About the author: Researcher and publisher Del Carl provides unique articles and information for you covering the area of bad breath and other closely related subject matters online at his website. Please drop by sometime.
