Bad breath, or halitosis, affects a significant portion of the population and can have unwanted social and psychological impacts. While maintaining good oral hygiene is important, incorporating zinc into your hygiene routine can improve your chances of successfully combating bad breath.
Understanding Halitosis
Science tells us that 90% of halitosis originates from the oral region. The breakdown of food particles by bacteria can lead to the production of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) such as hydrogen sulfide (rotten egg smell) and methyl mercaptan and at least ten other unpleasant odor molecules. Factors contributing to halitosis include poor oral hygiene and dry mouth. Especially important is the composition of bacteria types living in the oral area. Over 700 different species of oral bacteria have been found. The normal person has a mix of 70 different kinds. An average individual has about 8 billion bacteria residing in the oral region at any time and only a few species are actually associated with halitosis. What is not widely understood is that the bad breath producing bacteria prefer to live at the extreme far back of the tongue (much of which is not visible in the mirror) and in the throat and tonsil area. If you don’t have many of these bacteria you will have little or no bad breath originating in your oral region.
The Role of Zinc in Combating Bad Breath
Zinc is an essential trace element that can play a valuable role in maintaining oral health. Its success in controlling halitosis can be attributed to two mechanisms:
- Neutralization of Volatile Sulfur Compounds (VSCs): Zinc ions have a high affinity for sulfur, enabling them to bind with VSCs and neutralize their odor. This interaction effectively reduces the concentration of malodorous gases in the mouth.
- Antimicrobial Properties: Zinc exhibits inhibitory effects on the growth of bacteria responsible for producing VSCs. By suppressing these bacteria, zinc reduces the overall production of odor-causing compounds.
Three Tips for Minimizing Bad Breath
- Zinc-Containing Oral Care Products: Select mouthwashes and toothpastes formulated with zinc compounds. These products can help neutralize VSCs and reduce bacterial load in the oral cavity.
- Stay Hydrated: Adequate water intake promotes saliva production, which naturally cleanses and moisturizes the mouth. This aids in the reduction of bad breath producing bacteria which thrive in a dry mouth.
- Cleanse the Tongue and Throat: Targeted gargling that reaches the areas where bad breath producing bacteria prefer to live will pay big dividends in breath improvement. Go here for the most effective gargling instructions.
Pristine Breath Care: The Power of Zinc
At Pristine Breath Care, we understand the value of zinc in combating halitosis. Our system uses a simple zinc acetate solution. Not very tasty, but wonderfully effective. The name sounds like an unnatural composition, but acetate in Latin means vinegar, which naturally has acetic acid. When vinegar is added to zinc and heated, zinc acetate can be produced.
By making zinc the initial phase of our innovative three-part system, Pristine Breath Care provides a strong starting point for helping those seeking an answer to persistent bad breath issues.
Conclusion
Zinc has been found to be an effective component in defeating bad breath. Its dual effect of neutralizing odor-causing compounds and inhibiting bacterial growth, makes it an essential foundation for contending with halitosis. By incorporating zinc-based products into your daily oral hygiene practices, you can achieve fresher breath and enhanced confidence. For more information on how Pristine Breath Care can assist you in combating bad breath, visit our Why Pristine Works page.