You may have heard the news recently about Triclosan in toothpaste, and how some international bodies are moving to have it banned. In particular, the US Food Drugs and Alcohol body have banned the substance from all soap products. At this stage, however, they have left it in toothpaste. So what exactly is Triclosan – and why is it an issues? What is Triclosan, and why is it being banned? Triclosan is an antimicrobial substance that has been used in toothpaste, soaps, face wash, shower gel, and various other cosmetics and hygiene products for quite a while now. According the US FDA, the substance has shown a remarkable ability to reduce plaque and gingivitis. Unfortunately, recent animal studies have also shown that Triclosan may be an ‘endocrine disruptor’, meaning that it may lead to reproductive and developmental problems. Due to its anti-bacterial nature, Triclosan can also contribute to antibiotic resistance, which may have an impact on drug-resistant infections. Testing is, however, still at an early stage. For these reasons, Triclosan has been banned in soaps in the US, but not in toothpaste. The main difference behind this reasoning is that toothpaste is applied to a relatively small area, and isn’t consumed or kept in close contact with the skin. Which toothpastes contain it and should I be worried? Currently, Triclosan is not used in every toothpaste brand in Australia so, if you’re worried, you can easily avoid it. Brands like Sensodine are Triclosan free, for example. Many of the toothpastes we sell here at Robert Duhig Dentist are free of Triclosan – feel free to ask! Overall however, Australian dentists do not consider Triclosan a cause for concern at this stage. Studies have concluded that toothpastes using a combination of fluoride and Triclosan outperform those with just fluoride on multiple counts. When used for 6 months, the combination toothpastes reduced plaque by 41%, while gum inflammation was reduced by 22% and gum bleeding by 48%. This is significantly more than the toothpaste containing only fluoride. This makes Triclosan a really useful ingredient to consider if you have gingivitis or gum disease, though it arguably might be unnecessary in other circumstances. What is the nature of the current ban? The FDA didn’t actually conclude that Triclosan in soap was dangerous for human use. Instead, they suggest that some soap manufacturers had not submitted satisfactory safety evidence that their products were more effective than those without Triclosan. Closer to home, Australian federal body the National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS) has conducted its own study and concluded that there is no concern for the public in regards to Triclosan at this time. You can read the findings of that...

Bad breath is embarrassing but it’s something everyone will experience at one time or another. Garlic and onions often get a bad rap, and though it’s true that some foods can produce unpleasant odours to develop inside your mouth, this kind of bad breath is usually short-lived. Halitosis is more persistent and, often times, the sufferer is unaware of the problem. Read on to discover the causes of halitosis, who is most at risk of developing it and what you can do to treat the problem. What causes halitosis? Bad breath is caused by three different odourous gases that are released when bacteria begins to break down proteins in the mouth. These bacteria colonise on the tongue and at the back of the throat. In most cases, oral bacteria is a normal occurrence, but halitosis sufferers have an imbalance of bacteria that no amount of brushing or mouth wash can fix. Certain foods can exacerbate the problem, but eliminating them from your diet will not guarantee an end to the bad breath. Are you at risk? There are some factors which can make you more susceptible to halitosis and these include: dental problems including poor oral hygiene and gum disease dry mouth, which can be caused by dehydration, alcohol, stress and some medications smoking which deprives the mouth of oxygen nasal and mucous problems including sinusitis and post-nasal drip medical conditions such as some carcinomas, kidney failure and diabetes people with sensory issues who may struggle with oral care due to problems with brush texture or the taste of toothpaste. Unless someone mentions your offensive breath, it can be difficult to know just how bad the problem is. There are certain symptoms which can indicate you have halitosis including: dry mouth a noticeable build up around the teeth a white coating on the tongue, especially at the back a constant sour, metallic taste thick saliva excessive mucous or the frequent feeling of needing to clear the throat. A simple and cost-effective solution Good dental hygiene is first and foremost in maintaining good oral health and avoiding bad breath. But halitosis can occur even when you do everything right. It’s a frustrating and embarrassing problem which can impact on your self-esteem and confidence. Thankfully, cutting edge technology is available to assess the problem and treat it effectively. A quick and non-invasive test measures the gasses in your mouth and, from there, a suitable treatment plan is created to beat bad breath for good. Is bad breath negatively impacting your life? Simple and affordable treatment is available. To book in your Halitosis Testing, call Robert Duhig Dental TODAY on (07) 3269...