Magnolia Bark Extract for Bad Breath

An extract of the stem bark of Magnolia officinalis has been a traditional Chinese medicine for years: however, it’s only recently that researchers thought of using magnolia bark extract for bad breath. Like many plant extracts, the compound has antibacterial properties against Propionibacterium acne, an organism involved in facial acne; Helicobacter pylori, the cause of stomach and duodenal ulcers; and Streptococcus mutans a bacterium associated with dental decay. It makes sense to investigate whether this compound can reduce the numbers of odor-causing bacteria in the mouth.

The idea of using botanical extracts for halitosis is not new either. In its simplest form, this approach is employed when we chew on a leaf of mint, a clove, or any other aromatic herb in order to impart a fresh scent to the breath. A number of plant essential oils and other compounds have been tested and found to have antibacterial properties. Plant chlorophyll has been used as a breath freshener for a long time, and more recently, tea tree oil has been suggested as a mouth rinse. Preliminary research suggests that using magnolia bark extract for bad breath may be amazingly effective, and that it poses little risk.

Extract of M. officinalis contains two substances that are thought to be important: magnolol and honokiol, with magnolol being present in much higher concentrations than honokiol. In controlled studies where scientists measured the effectiveness of magnolia bark extract for bad breath, results indicated that both magnolol and honokiol, as well as a combination of the two killed odor-producing oral bacteria. In fact the preparation was significantly more effective than other botanical extracts for halitosis, including peppermint oil and thymol (from thyme).

Product development is still ongoing. Thus far food scientists have tested magnolia bark extract for bad breath bacteria in both controlled laboratory culture conditions, and in live subjects who received the compound in gum or mints. Side effects have been relatively few and researchers believe that the substance can be safely added to food items, some of which are already on the market. Best of all, we won’t have to go to the health food store to get these botanical extracts for halitosis: we may finally have a breath freshening mint that does more than just mask the odor.

Source:
Greenberg, Michael. Philip Urnezis and Minmin Tian. “Compressed Mints and Chewing Gum Containing Magnolia Bark Extract Are Effective against Bacteria Responsible for Oral Malodor” J. Agric. Food Chem., 2007, 55 (23), pp 9465–9469.

Basic Concepts of Bad Breath

For years we didn’t know much about bad breath, except that it is an unfortunate problem for many people, but today we understand many of the basic concepts of bad breath. We know what causes it most of the time, we’re making progress in diagnosis, and focused scientific research is revealing some possible approaches to treatment that weren’t possible in the past.

One of the first facts about halitosis to be understood was the role of anaerobic bacteria in the mouth. It is these bacteria that produce the bad odor we associate with oral malodor, and knowing this makes it clear that the best approach to treating the problem will target oral anaerobes. Basic concepts of bad breath more recently revealed include the fact that in the vast majority of cases, the odor-producing bacteria are living on the surface of the tongue, in the pits and grooves at the back of the tongue, where sinus drainage coats the tongue producing a layer of biofilm that shielding anaerobic bacteria from oxygen.

One of the curious facts about halitosis that has become very evident is that many people worry about the problem excessively and a significant number believe their breath smells bad when it really does not. We aren’t very good at judging the quality of our own breath! Further to this, those that do suffer from oral malodor are frequently unaware of it. Currently, one of the basic concepts of bad breath treatment among professionals is that one must first confirm that the condition actually exists. Several methods of measuring breath odor, both objectively and subjectively, have now been developed and are in regular use by professionals.

Though learning all the facts about halitosis has not yet revealed a panacea for dealing with the problem, we’re getting closer, and products available on the market are more effective than ever. Reducing the number of odor producing bacteria and giving them no place to multiply again are among the basic concepts of bad breath treatment today. Sufferers can consult professionals and/or choose from a wide variety of commercial products, many of which are significant improvements over what was available even five years ago. Hopefully, the next few years will bring even more useful information about this troublesome condition.

Source: Krespi, Yosef P., Mark G. Shrime, and Ashutosh Kacker. The relationship between oral malodor and volatile sulfur compound–producing bacteria. Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (2006) 135, 671-676

Bad Breath and Bacteria

Bad breath and bacteria go hand in hand. Few people realize how many bacteria live in the human mouth. Scientists tell us that as many as seven hundred different species of bacteria can live in our mouths, with each individual playing host to perhaps one hundred species at any given time. This may not sound good, but in fact most of these bacteria are harmless, and some are even beneficial, protecting us from disease causing organisms that might move in if they had the opportunity. Only a handful of the species living in our mouths produce volatile sulfur compounds (VSC), the bad smelling gases in oral malodor.

The link between halitosis and VSC was worked out decades ago. Some anaerobic bacteria (anaerobic means living in the absence of oxygen) break down proteins in the mouth to obtain nutrients. In the process, they release sulfur compounds as a by-product. Studies show that in at least 85% of cases, bad breath and bacteria that obtain their food in this way are closely linked. Most cases involve one or more of four specific groups of bacteria.

Studies focused on bad breath and bacteria have revealed other things about a typical case of oral malodor. The bacteria can flourish anywhere in the mouth where they are not exposed to oxygen, but in the majority of cases, the culprits live in the grooves at the back of the tongue, shielded from oxygen by a tongue coating, or biofilm, and well supplied with a protein food source from food particles, dead oral cells, and sinus drainage. Other possible oral sources of halitosis and VSC include pockets in the gums, and the tonsillar crypts, both places where there is little air flow.

Once people understand the relationship between bad breath and bacteria, they are better able to deal with the problem. In the majority of cases, vigilance toward dental and oral hygiene, including regular scraping and cleaning of the tongue to remove tongue coating will make an immediate difference in the production of halitosis and VSC. Oral products that contain essential oils, zinc chloride, and cetylpyridium chloride have been studied and there is some evidence that they’re effective. Drinking plenty of water is also helpful as it not only rinses the mouth, but also encourages plentiful saliva production.

Source: Krespi, Yosef P., Mark G. Shrime, and Ashutosh Kacker. The relationship between oral malodor and volatile sulfur compound–producing bacteria. Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (2006) 135, 671-676.