MOUTHWASH MYTHS: What Really Causes Bad Breath?

ABC News has just reported (see transcript below) that some of the most popular mouthwashes on the market may actually CAUSE bad breath.

During your Talk Show interview, Dr. Katz of The California Breath Clinics explains the origins of bad breath, the way to get rid of it and the myths that surround mouthwashes and bad breath.

One myth Dr. Katz dispels is: People can smell their own bad breath. “NOT TRUE,” says Dr. Katz, who adds, “Even when someone has breath bad enough to knock you over, they still can’t tell they have bad breath. We’re talking about breath so bad a boatload of breath mints--most don’t work, by the way-- toothpaste, and air freshener couldn’t even make a dent.

During your interview, Dr. Katz can tell your listeners how they can check their own breath, and discover the top ten ways to avoid bad breath!

ABOUT DR. KATZ… Dr. Harold Katz, DDS, opened the first California Breath Clinic to treat patients with mild and chronic halitosis in 1994. A graduate of the UCLA School of Dentistry in 1975, and recipient of a degree in Bacteriology in 1971, Dr. Katz researched the real cause of bad breath and developed a way to eliminate it.

Combining his dentistry experience and bacteriology research to discover the cause, Dr. Katz discovered that it was the bacteria that was the primary cause of bad breath.
Dr. Katz is a veteran radio and television guest. He has been featured on 20/20, The Today Show, Good Morning America, Fox After Breakfast, WOR, KFYI, WCBS and hundreds more, and his articles have appeared in numerous newspapers and magazines including the New York Times, LA Times, Harpers, Glamour and Mademoiselle.

The following is the ABC News story that may be helpful for show prep:

ABC NEWS originalreport
Myth: Mouthwashes Eliminate Bad Breath
Tackle Germs by Keeping Teeth Flossed and Drinking Lots of Water

Experts say flossing and drinking water are good ways to fight bad breath. (ABC NEWS)

Oct. 14, 2005 — Bad breath is probably one of the most embarrassing of the personal hygiene "no-no's." We've all been there … but what's the best way to get rid of it?
Germ expert Dr. Phillip Tierno, a professor at New York University, says the most common cause of this "social disease" is bad dental care. The source of the odor, he says, is often particles of food stuck in between the teeth and an accumulation of bacteria in the back of the throat. "When you get a concentration of bacterial-producing malodorous chemicals coming from the lack of oral hygiene … It has the equivalent odor of feces," he said.

What a stomach-turning thought! And it's also the reason why we brush and floss — and use mouthwash.

• Myth: Hospitals Keep You Safe from Germs
• Myth: Airplane Air Makes You Sick
• Myth: Antibacterial Soap Is Better
• Myth: The Kitchen Is the Cleanest Room in the House
• Myth: Your Desk at Work Is Relatively Germ-Free
• Myth: It's Safe to Share Your Makeup
• Myth: Toilet Seats Are the Dirtiest Thing in the Bathroom
• Myth: Dogs Have Cleaner Mouths Than Humans
• Myth: Flu Shots Keep the Flu Away

But here's something we learned: According to many experts, mouthwash does not eliminate bad breath. The mouthwash works at first — killing lots of germs. Then, the bad news. Tierno says that the bad breath you wanted to prevent gets even worse. He says the alcohol content present in many mouthwashes can dry your mouth out. When the saliva glands are dry, they are unable to help wash away bacteria so the stinky stuff flourishes.

Mouthwash companies say their mouthwashes are effective and they have their own studies that show that alcohol does not dry out the mouth.

Tierno disagrees. He points to the fact that babies have sweet breath because they manufacture lots of saliva; they are drooling all the time. This constant draining of saliva, among other things, helps to keep baby's breath clean.

The companies that produce alcohol-based mouthwashes insist their products are proven to work effectively. Scope and Lavoris also say they have low amounts of alcohol. Listerine, which has up to 27 percent, sent "202/20" a statement saying it has a study proving Listerine actually increases the flow of saliva.
Tierno offers these suggestions to manage bad breath:

Floss all of your teeth well.
Use non-alcoholic mouthwashes
Keep your mouth moist by drinking lots of water
And just like your mom always told you — brush for at least two minutes, including brushing your tongue.

And if these helpful hints don't stop your bad breath, you might want to see a doctor because frankly … your problem may be beyond the scope of our story.

SUGGESTED INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:

• How did you get started on such a smelly topic, and why did you investigate the causes of bad breath, and?
• Isn't it natural to wake up with stale or bad breath after sleeping all night?
• Why can’t we smell our own bad breath?
• Does bad breath really create a serious problem? You just stand a little further back from the person you're speaking with, right?
• What about the notion that bad breath starts in the stomach or sinuses, isn't that true?
• What are the top 10 tips do you have for avoiding bad breath?
• Will they work for anyone, even those people with the worst breath out there!
• You've developed a product called TheraBreath to eliminate both occasional and chronic bad breath, how does it work?
• How can listeners get more information about TheraBreath?
• Is it sold in stores?

To schedule an interview with HAROLD KATZ, call: 630-848-0750.