Listerine has a new product on the store shelf called Tooth Defense™. This new rinse uses the active ingredient of Sodium Fluoride and claims to rebuild and strengthen your tooth enamel and thereby prevent cavities.

Benefits of the Tooth Defense™ rinse.

* Kills the germs that cause bad breath or halitosis
* Increase tooth enamel density and strenth to prevent cavities using Sodium Fluoride
* Great tasting Mint Shield flavor (purple color but minty taste)
* Intended for patients 12 and older :

• Older patients who require extra help fighting cavities and maintaining their natural teeth
• Patients with crowns or bridges
• Orthodontic patients where tooth care is harder

Note: This product is not intended to help prevent or reduce plaque and gingivitis. Brushing and proper dental care is still expected.

Listerine® Tooth Defense™: Active Ingredients
Sodium fluoride 0.0221% (0.01% w/v fluoride ion)

As of writing this post, there wasn’t much for consumer reviews about this product. The couple that I did find liked the taste of the wash. Sodium Fluoride has been known to rebuild enamel for a long time and some toothpastes contain it. The question will be if this wash has enough of a concentration to have any clinical impact on your own teeth’s enamel or is it just an expensive mouthwash?

For those who love to cook, herbs are a necessity. Whether you are using fresh herbs, dried herbs or crushed herbs there is a wide variety of cooking herbs. It would not surprise you to know that most likely some of the herbs you use everyday can also be used to alleviate bad breath (halitosis). Here is a list of a few for you to consider if you are interested in a non-conventional treatment.

Eucalyptus: Australian aborigines, who chewed the roots for water in the dry outback, first used Eucalyptus. Inhalation of the vapor of eucalyptus oil aids in treating mucus-producing illnesses such as, asthma, bronchitis, whooping cough, and emphysema. The major constituent in eucalyptus leaves is a volatile oil known as eucalyptol Eucalyptus oil is said to function in a fashion similar to that of menthol by acting on receptors in the nasal mucus, leading to a reduction in symptoms such as nasal congestion.

The side effects from the internal use of eucalyptus can include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Infants and children under the age of two, especially near the face and nose, due to the risk of airway spasm and possible cessation of breathing, should not use eucalyptus oil. The oil may aggravate bronchial spasms in people with asthma and should not be taken internally by those with severe liver diseases and inflammatory disorders of the gastrointestinal tract and kidney.

Thyme: This fragrant plant is indigenous to the Mediterranean region of Europe and is extensively cultivated in the Untied States. The dried or partially dried leaves and flowering tops are used medicinally. Many constituents in thyme team up to provide its antitussive (preventing and treating a cough), antispasmodic, and expectorant (thinning the mucus to allow for coughing out) actions. Thyme, either alone or in combination with herbs such as sundew, continues to be one of the most commonly recommended herbs in Europe for the treatment of dry, spasmodic coughs as well as whooping cough. Due to the low toxicity of the herb, it has become a favorite for treating coughs in small children.

Thyme is generally safe if used as indicated. However, a spasmodic cough, particularly in a young child, may be dangerous and a healthcare professional should be consulted before deciding on the proper course of treatment.

Myrrh: In ancient times, the red-brown resin of myrrh was used to preserve mummies. It was also used as a remedy for numerous infections, including leprosy and syphilis. Herbalists for relief also recommended myrrh from bad breath and for dental conditions. The three main constituents of myrrh are the resin, the gum, and the volatile oil. All are thought to be important in myrrh’s activity as an herbal medicine. Myrrh also has astringent properties and has a soothing effect on inflamed tissues in the mouth and throat. Myrrh is generally safe if used as indicated.

Bloodroot: Native Americans employed bloodroot extensively in ritual and medicine. The dye was used as body paint. Sore throats, cough, rheumatic pains, and various types of cancer were all treated with bloodroot. Alkaloids-principally sanguinarine-constitute the primary active compounds in bloodroot. These are sometimes used in toothpaste and other oral hygiene products because they inhibit the growth of oral bacteria.

Side effects of Bloodroot can cause nausea and vomiting if taken in large amounts.

Caraway: The use of caraway as a medicinal agent has remained unchanged for centuries. Caraway seeds not only promote digestion but also ease the symptoms of children suffering from digestive colic. Caraway belongs to a class of herbs called carminatives, which are plants helpful in easing gastrointestinal discomfort.

Caraway is generally safe for internal use. However, children should not use the purified volatile oil under two years of age, as oil from caraway and other herbs in the Umbelliferrae family can be irritating to the skin and mucous membranes.

Peppermint: Classified as a carminative herb, peppermint has been used as a general digestive aid and employed in the treatment of indigestion and intestinal colic.

Peppermint tea is generally considered safe for regular consumption. Peppermint oil can cause burning and gastrointestinal upset in some people.

Sage: Sage has one of the longest histories of use of any culinary or medicinal herb. Herbalists externally to treat sprains, swelling, ulcers, and bleeding used it. Internally, a tea made from sage leaves has had a long history of use to treat sore throats and coughs-often used as a gargle.

Very high amounts of Sage (several times greater than one receives if taking sage as instructed), may lead to convulsions.