Halitosis (bad breath) is a common problem which affects everyone at one time or another. It typically occurs first thing in the morning, when a person is dieting or when a person is unable to brush his teeth after eating. Causes of bad breath include some foods (such as garlic, onions and meats); tobacco use; and most often are caused by the bacteria and plaque build-up in the mouth, teeth and gums. The main symptom of bad breath is an odor that usually comes from the far back region of the tongue and grows stronger when the person talks.

These offensive odors are the waste products of anaerobic bacteria. The term "anaerobic" describes the fact that these types of bacteria grow best in environments that are devoid of oxygen.

Recent evidence has demonstrated a link between oral bad breath and adult periodontitis. The primary microbes causing halitosis are similar to the bacteria causing periodontitis. These bacteria produce the odor by metabolizing different cells/tissues located in saliva, dental plaque, and gingival fluid.

Dental plaque is a biofilm (coaggregation of the bacteria). The microbial coating in a freshly cleaned tooth or tongue surface occurs rapidly. Within the first few hours a pellicle (thin membrane) forms on the tooth surface that consists of proteins and glycoproteins found in saliva. Pellicle formation, in addition to enhancing initial bacterial colonization, provides surfaces for additional bacterial attachment. Different strains of bacteria can coaggregate to form the biofilms. When bacteria organized in biofilms, they are less susceptible to anti-microbial and more resistant to immune defense. Biofilms are notoriously difficult to eradicate and are a source of many stubborn infections.

The presence of a mature plaque biofilms on the tooth surface creates a condition in which mineralization can occur within the bacteria. This process involves the precipitation of salivary components into a deposit commonly known as calculus (tartar). Unlike plaque, once formed, calculus can only be removed by a professional scaling procedure. Further, if left to accumulate, the porous surface of the calculus can serve as a nest for new plaque bacteria to grow. The accumulation of such bacteria along the gum line can create irritation of the soft tissues and eventually lead to gingival recession which is called gingivitis. If left without treatment it will eventually lead to periodontitis and eroding of bones. Numerous studies published in the last few years have established a link between oral infections and other diseases. The spread of oral microorganisms and their toxins have been implicated in cardiovascular diseases including heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, and atherosclerosis; arthritis, implant infections, and pre-term/low birth weight infants. Many products have been marketed for the treatment of bad breath. These products include Alcohol Mouthwashes; Toothpastes; Baking Soda, Sprays, Mints and Gums. Most, if not all of them, really don't work very long and some make the problem even worse. Alcohol based mouthwashes can dry up the mouth and cause the bacteria to proliferate. To effectively solve the problem we need to reduce the biofilms formation as well as eliminate the odor at its source. Now, we at Farmaceutical Concepts, Inc. have created a revolutionary oral hygiene formula "Angel's Breath" to tackle the problem of halitosis from its source. It consists of: Zinc and Chlorophyll to fight off odor; Propolis to restrain microbial activity; Cranberry Extract and Xylitol to inhibit biofilm formation; Polyphosphate to prevent the mineralization of plaque into calculus and Peppermint is added to give you sweet breath.

• Zinc
  Zinc is a relatively non-toxic, non-cumulative essential trace element. Zinc inhibits the production of VSC (volatile sulphur compounds), which cause the odor in the oral cavity by interacting with sulphur in the amino acids or their metabolites. Zinc can be retained in the oral cavity for approximately 2-3 hours after dissolved in the mouth by binding to acidic substances on the oral mucosa, in the saliva, or on bacterial surfaces. The zinc ions actually combine with the cells of the surface of the tongue and mucosa to produce a storage supply of zinc ions which are released as VSC come into contact with the tissues. This continuous release of zinc ions from the tissues produce a long term deodorizing action.
• Chlorophyll
  Chlorophyll is a green plant pigment that supports the process of converting solar energy and carbon dioxide into oxygen and carbohydrates. Chlorophyll has strong antibacterial action, and clears up odors effectively.
• Propolis
  Propolis is a hive product containing chiefly beeswax and plant-derived substances such as resin and volatile compounds. Propolis has been used as an antiseptic and wound healer since ancient times and has become increasingly more popular in recent years. In laboratory tests, propolis has been found to cut the cavity rate in rats by about 60 percent, and nearly stopped the activity of a key enzyme that forms dental plaque. Researchers believe propolis works by inhibiting an enzyme which contributes to buildup of plaque on the teeth.
• Cranberry Extract
  Cranberry juice is known to inhibit bacterial adhesion. The majority of infectious diseases are initiated by the adhesion of pathogenic organisms to the tissues of the host. Because the inhibitors of adhesion are not bactericidal, the selection of resistant inhibitor strains is unlikely to occur. A study has found that the high molecular mass constituents of cranberry juice, dissociated coaggregates formed by many intergeneric oral bacteria hence inhibiting the biofilm formation and their acid production.
• Xylitol
  Dental plaque develops when early bacterial colonizers adhere to the acquired pellicle (saliva-derived proteinous coating on the tooth surface) followed by adhesion of late interspecies colonizers to form this type of biofilm (coaggregation). Xylitol has been found to have the ability to reverse any such coaggregations.
• Polyphosphates
  Phosphates have been used as food additives to prevent dental decay. In general, inorganic phosphates promote re-mineralization and desorption effects on plaque bacteria.