Bad Breath

A CBS 2 News Special Assignment

Special Assignment: Bad Breath aired Wednesday, December 04, 1997 at 11 p.m.

"You can talk to a stranger on a plane about their sex life and they will tell you everything," editor Clay Thompson told CBS 2 News. "But people just do not talk about bad breath."

Dr. Harold Katz, a bad breath guru, knows that all too well. He recanted the experiences of one of his patients for CBS 2 News.

"(He) cannot go to a cinema, important meetings are a nightmare, and people physically cover their noses within four meters of (him)," Katz told CBS 2 News. "His wife couldn't take his bad breath anymore at night, so she put a pillow between them to block his bad breath."

Dr. Katz said when another patient stood up and spoke in church, his breath was so offensive the first two rows got up an moved behind him.

"The stories are just unbelievable, but very true," said Dr. Katz. "People have told me they've gotten divorced over bad breath and even tried to kill themselves because it has effected their lives so much."

What made Kr. Katz an expert on bad breath? It was his daughter, whose struggle with halitosis led to his success, reported CBS 2 News' Kyra Phillips. Today, that success is in the form of an oral rinse called Thera Breath.

"I took a sample of the white coating on the back of her tongue, which is common among people who the bad breath problem," Dr. Katz told CBS 2 News. "It was full of bacteria."

Dr. Katz (pictured below, left) said once he found out which bacteria were causing the problem, he discovered that chlorine dioxide reversed the chemical process -- thus insuring fresh breath and taste -- in his daughter's mouth. Now a mouthwash containing chlorine dioxide, marketed as Thera Breath, is revolutionizing bad breath nightmares.

"I had low self esteem and couldn't even speak. It was like having tape on my mouth," a man who only wanted to be identified as Juan told CBS 2 News. "Now it's like I'm free again."

A man named Frank had a similar experience. It wasn't until an embarrasing conversation on an airplane that Frank realized he was living in halitosis hell.

"The guy (sitting next to me) said, 'I'll be right back,' and got up and walked to the back of the plane," Frank told CBS 2 News. "I overheard him tell his friend, 'The guy sitting next to me � his breath reeks.' I was contemplating jumping off the plane."

But today, Frank and Juan's formerly smelly smiles have peace of mouth.

Bad breath is caused by tiny bacteria living on the back of tongues and throats. According to Phillips, when that bacteria comes into contact with certain kinds of protein, sulphur compounds are released.

"For instance, if one of the chemicals is hydrogen sulphide, that's the rotten egg smell," Dr. Katz told CBS 2 News. "That's what comes out of your mouth."

So CBS 2 News decided to take Thera Breath, along with a number more commonly-used breath mints, and put the to the test. CBS 2 News descended on The Stinking Rose restaurant, known for dousing its food in garlic.

Dr. Katz tested several patrons after dinner. Using a sophisticated electronic testing device, he found them to have very high levels of sulphur odors in their mouths. Two diners had both had readings of nearly 2,000. By comparison, a normal mouth should measure 75, said Phillips.

Clorets gum, Ice Drops and Breath Savers worked for a few minutes, but not for long.

"The levels are still very detectable," reported Dr. Katz.

The doctor's Thera Breath seemed to work longer, said Phillips.

"Over a period of time, the chlorine dioxide builds up and gives you some sort of protection," Dr. Katz explained.

Dr. Katz advises staying away from breath products containing sugar and alcohol. Sugar caused bacteria, and alcohol dries out your mouth. According to Phillips, that often makes your breath worse than it was.

Along with the mouth rinse, Dr. Katz now offers his Thera Breath treatment in toothpaste and chewing gum. If you're interested in trying Dr. Katz's products, you can reach him at (800) 963-9273.