Beware gum disease cure-alls that are too good to be true

There's a reason our products are called "specialty" breath fresheners. Each one is custom designed to treat a specific oral health problem - say, gum disease, periodontitis, dry mouth or post-nasal drip - each of which requires some technological specialization. In other words, no single product can do it all, as much as we'd like that. Instead, it takes an array of carefully formulated breath fresheners to really and truly bring about great oral health.

So, if you see a product advertised as something that can treat or cure a multitude of oral (and even non-oral) ailments, be skeptical. It's probably too good to be true. A case in point might be a new mint slated for release in China. According to its manufacturer, it can clear up bad breath, gum disease, inflammation, acne, itching, eczema and even rosacea.

Hmmm....

The truth about milk proteins

According to a press release from the manufacturer, the miracle ingredient in this product is a specially derived milk protein, one that evidently reduces inflammation and bacterial growth. If the company were talking about probiotics, we might be convinced, since our K12 oral care probiotics kits contain special enzymes that inhibit bacterial infection and prevent odor production.

But that's not the case. Instead, the ingredient is simply described as a naturally derived protein found in pasteurized milk.

So what IS this stuff, anyway?

If you're a canny shopper, your spidey sense should be tingling by now. A quick review of the product's webpage reveals plenty of graphs and charts, but no mention of the actual compound. (It's always referred to by its trademarked product name.) That's a bad sign, since a manufacturer should want to list the ingredients if they truly work.

What's even stranger are some of the details in the press release. First, the New Zealand-based product is set to be released in China. Why not New Zealand, or Australia, or the U.S.? Is it because those countries have stricter regulatory laws concerning consumer products? Who knows.

And secondly, the release mentions that the product will be sold online "and in baby care shops."

What?? They're planning to sell a gum-disease-busting, halitosis-eliminating, rosacea-treating, acne-clearing cream/powder in baby supplies stores? Perhaps there's a good explanation, but we can't think of one.

When buying specialty breath fresheners, be skeptical. Stick to those with clearly listed ingredients, all-natural content and proven results.