A simple therapy eliminates chronic bad breath
This is according to a study presented at the 2008 annual meeting of the American Association for Dental Research in Dallas, Texas. Chronic bad breath, or halitosis, usually occurs by the breakdown of bacteria in the mouth, producing substances with a strong sulfur smell.
It is estimated that 25% of adults suffer the embarrassment that causes bad breath and the percentage would reach 50% among older adults. In a study that lasted 28 days and was conducted on 14 adults with halitosis, a team led by Peter Moses, a student at the School of Dentistry, State University of New York at Buffalo, found that brushing twice a day with fluoride containing triclosan and clean the surface of the tongue solve the problem.
Triclosan is an antibacterial drug used to treat acne, hand soaps, detergents and deodorants. “Most toothpastes do not contain triclosan,” said Dr. Joseph J. Zambon, who participated in the study. Triclosan is present in the Colgate Total toothpaste, which makes Colgate-Palmolive Co., which funded the study. (more…)
