An imbalance in the oral microbiome can cause bad breath, but bad breath can cause a huge imbalance in your social life, too. For millions of Indians, it is a persistent problem with personal, social, and psychological consequences. An increase in the odour-causing bacteria will lead to a decrease in your social life.
According to a study titled “Estimated prevalence of halitosis: a systematic review and meta-regression analysis,” it suggests that around one in three people globally experiences bad breath. Bad breath is a global epidemic.
Even among unique contexts like the COVID-era mask-wearing population, self-perceived bad breath and dryness surged significantly. In a Delhi study, 38% of participants reported an increase in bad breath condition due to regular use of face masks, and 42% also reported a rise in oral dryness. So, what do we do? Just spray a mouth freshener and get going? Absolutely Not! Let us understand how to neutralize this condition.
What are the causes of Bad Breath?
Bad breath is often a result of various oral health conditions, including periodontal (gum) disease, tongue coating, plaque buildup, and dry mouth. Plaque-forming Gram-negative bacteria are major producers of foul-smelling compounds. According to a study titled “Comparison of clinical indices with halitosis grading in chronic periodontitis: A randomized control trial,” oral malodor is the 3rd most common reason for a dentist appointment. When malodor from VSCs present in the oral cavity mixes with your breath, it results in bad breath.
Among Indian children, oral malodor occurs in more than 40%, and is significantly linked to oral hygiene, mouth breathing, tongue coating, and gum health.
Bad Breath and Modern Lifestyles:
Your lifestyle is a significant contributor to your oral conditions.
Smoking and vaping: Tobacco smoke contains chemicals and sulfur compounds that affect the oral microbial balance, while vaping can contribute to dryness and mucosal irritation, creating a breeding ground for malodor-forming microbes. According to a study on the negative effects of tobacco, it is stated that tobacco consumption increases the risk of oral disease and may even lead to oral cancer. Tobacco smoke introduces volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) and irritants that alter the mouth’s microbiome and reduce salivary cleansing function.
Alcohol: According to a study titled “[The influence of alcohol on the oral cavity, salivary glands and saliva],” it is mentioned that alcohol reduces saliva production, weakening the mouth’s natural flushing mechanism. This leads to an increase in bacterial activity that creates bad breath.
Diet: Frequent consumption of sugary, acidic, or spicy foods gives way to an oral environment rich in fermentative bacteria. Acidity also erodes protective enamel layers, allowing bacterial persistence and the production of odour-causing by-products.
Poor oral hygiene: Maintaining proper oral hygiene includes more than just brushing once a day and hoping. Irregular brushing, tongue coating, no flossing, and neglect of dental check-ups all create an environment where harmful oral microbes flourish, producing foul odors.
Oral malodor arises when bacterial metabolic by-products, such as volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) emitted by anaerobic bacteria like Prevotella, Porphyromonas, or Treponema species, accumulate in the mouth cavity and mix with the air of the mouth.
A large population of those affected report negative psychological outcomes, including embarrassment, reduced social confidence, and hesitation in communication; those in proximity laugh at them.
Bad breath is not a temporary problem that will go away, and traditional mint-flavored mouth fresheners are unlikely to eliminate it. They will do little more than mask the symptom temporarily while the microbial imbalance continues unchecked. It is essential to identify the root cause and address it effectively.
Clove’s OptaFresh® Technology:
Recognising the need for more than superficial freshness, we have turned toward microbiome-balanced approaches. OptaFresh® is a registered trademark technology by Symrise AG, Germany, designed to tackle bad breath at its microbial root.
What makes OptaFresh® Technology a Breakthrough?
We have all been there, spraying mints to cover up bad breath. But is masking enough? No, masking only provides you with a few minutes of relief, whereas OptaFresh® leverages oral microbiota modulation. This pioneering formula targets the harmful VSC-releasing bacteria without harming the beneficial bacteria that are essential for maintaining the oral microbiome. This marks a paradigm shift away from indiscriminate antibacterial sprays or rinses.
The OptaFresh® technology targets the bacterial biofilm community. The key effect is the reduction of harmful anaerobic bacteria such as Prevotella and Veillonella, which are strongly associated with bad breath, gum disease, and tissue breakdown, while supporting beneficial aerobic bacteria, including Neisseria, Rothia, and Corynebacterium.
Prevotella and Veillonella are anaerobic bacteria that significantly contribute to the production of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs), a major cause of bad breath.
Neisseria, Rothia, and Corynebacterium are beneficial bacteria commonly found in healthy oral microflora, associated with balanced microbial communities and reduced malodor production.
Maintaining the Oral Microbiome:
How OptaFresh® Works:
● OptaFresh® targets harmful bacteria and halitosis-linked anaerobes, without compromising beneficial oral species.
● Microbiome balance: By supporting aerobic species, OptaFresh® strengthens natural oral defence mechanisms and helps sustain a balanced microbiome.
● Reduced VSC production: With fewer anaerobic organisms fermenting sulfur-containing compounds, volatile sulfur compound levels fall, contributing to neutralization of odor rather than superficial masking.
Modern oral health science is increasingly recognizing that oral microbial communities form complex biofilms and ecosystems, balancing “good” and “bad” bacteria much like a healthy gut microbiome. According to a study titled “Oral Microbiome: A Review of Its Impact on Oral and Systemic Health,” the oral microbiome is a complex ecosystem that is home to diverse microbial communities. Maintaining a healthy oral microbiome is crucial for preventing oral issues. The good bacteria are the first line of defense against harmful microbes that cause dental problems. An imbalance in the microbiome or oral dysbiosis will lead to an increase in harmful bacteria. Therefore, OptaFresh® is designed to target the harmful bacteria. This microecological balancing addresses the root cause rather than merely concealing, making it a powerful and progressive oral care approach.
For Indians seeking not just temporary masking but lasting confidence, OptaFresh® offers:
● Long-lasting odour control by addressing microbial imbalance.
● Supports beneficial microbiota that maintain oral stability.
● A Balanced oral microflora maintains breath, tissue health, and prevents harmful microbial overgrowth.
This technology helps you lead a confident life full of conversations, meetings, friendships, and relationships, free from the social anxiety of bad breath.
