The Science Behind Bad Breath
Do you think bad breath is just about not using mouthwash, having the right toothpaste, or that garlic-laden lunch?
Think again.
The complexities of halitosis – the bad breath you deal with – run much deeper, rooted in a fascinating world of oral microbiology.
The Real Culprits?
It's a lesser-known fact that bad breath can be caused by an array of microbes (bacteria + fungi) in the mouth.
Chronic bad breath isn't due to just one perpetrator; it's a consequence of the microbial community (microbiome) becoming imbalanced.
Such an imbalance can lead to the overgrowth of microbes like;
Solobacterium moorei
Tannerella forsythia
Candida albicans
All of which produce compounds that can contribute to that unpleasant odor.
Where It All Begins
The mouth, while a significant contributor to bad breath, isn't just a singular ecosystem.
90% of bad breath originates from micro-environments in the mouth. When these microbes are in balance, they play a beneficial role – for instance, low levels of hydrogen sulfide help in reducing inflammation.
When they are in excess, they can cause tissue damage, gum disease, and yes, bad breath.
The Different Faces of Halitosis
Our research has categorized bad breath into several types based on the microbes causing them.
Inflammatory Gum Bacteria
Species like Porphyromonas gingivalis thrive at the gum line, leading to more serious gum issues.
Non-inflammatory Gum Bacteria
Found at the gumline or tooth surface, species like Selenomonas noxia can contribute to bad breath without causing inflammation.
Tongue Coaters
Microbes, such as Atopobium parvulum, reside on the tongue's back, missed by brushing and flossing.
Opportunistic Enterobacteriaceae
Bacteria like Escherichia coli from the gut can dominate an imbalanced oral microbiome, leading to bad breath.
Fungal Causes
Excess fungi, especially Candida, can result in oral thrush and bad breath.
Intermittent Bad Breath
Resulting from a mix of diet, lifestyle, and oral microbiome dynamics.
The Road to Fresh Breath
Using gums or mints to mask bad breath is just a band-aid. For lasting relief, we need to focus on restoring the balance of our oral microbiome.
To do this effectively, it's essential to pinpoint the specific type of halitosis you're experiencing, and then adopt evidence-based treatments tailored for it.
Thanks to advancements in modern science, we can now delve deeper into understanding our oral health and its intricacies.
Bad breath is more than a superficial issue; it provides insight into the overall health of our mouth. So, let's take a deep breath (pun intended!) and dive into the science of it all.
The Promise of Oral Probiotics
In our journey to understand bad breath, we've delved deep into the microscopic world of our mouth.
Just as there are bacteria that can cause harm and odor, there's a counterpart - the beneficial bacteria.
This brings us to the cutting-edge arena of oral health: Oral Probiotics.
Benefits of Oral Probiotics
Unlike standard probiotics (which are just as important!) oral probiotics focus on balancing the oral microbiome.
Fights Bad Bacteria
By introducing 'good' bacteria, oral probiotics compete with harmful bacteria, limiting their growth and influence. They also produce byproducts that can kill harmful bacteria, and even balance pH in the mouth, preventing acid-producing species from causing tooth decay.
Strengthens Oral Immunity
Probiotics can bolster the mouth's natural defenses, making it resilient against harmful bacterial invasions.
Restores Balance
Oral probiotics can help in restoring a harmonious microbial balance, crucial for fresh breath and overall oral health.
Prevents Oral Health Issues
They can play a role in preventing tooth decay, gum inflammation, and other oral health problems.
Enhances Overall Well-Being
A balanced oral microbiome contributes to overall well-being, given the mouth's connection to the rest of the body – the mouth is the gateway to the body and a predictor of overall health!
To harness these benefits, Bristle has developed a state-of-the-art oral probiotic breath mint that you and your mouth will love
Based on research from 5,000+ Bristle test takers, our probiotic introduces a blend of beneficial bacteria to balance the oral microbiome.
With Bristle's Oral Probiotic, you're not just masking the symptoms, but actively addressing the root causes of oral imbalances.
Step into the future of proactive oral health with Bristle. Your mouth deserves the best, and with the science of oral probiotics, that's precisely what you get.
A probiotic breath mint you (and your mouth) will love
Combat the bacteria that drive bad breath, gum inflammation and cavities with our once daily mint. Specially formulated with beneficial strains and all-natural ingredients to rebalance your oral microbiome and keep your breath fresh.
Fight the bacteria that drive conditions like bad breath, gum disease & cavities through a balanced oral microbiome.
🚗 Free US Shipping ⏱ 3-5 Day US Delivery 👶 For ages 5 & up
Use daily to promote
FRESH BREATH
Eliminate microbes in your mouth that cause bad breath.
HEALTHY GUMS
Reduce harmful bacteria that lead to gum inflammation & gingivitis.
ORAL MICROBIOME BALANCE
Increase the levels of beneficial bacteria in your mouth to support oral & overall health.
The Oral Health Probiotic
6 clinically & scientifically studied probiotic strains proven to help maintain oral health & fight bacteria that cause bad breath & gum inflammation
3.5B CFU for high bacterial concentration & impactful delivery
Xylitol instead of sugar to fight cavities-causing bacteria & lower your risk for tooth decay
All-natural ingredients & flavors to keep it delicious
🚗 Free Shipping ⏱ 3-5 Day US Delivery 👶 For ages 5 & up
Directions
Savor 1 mint tablet right after your oral hygiene routine in the morning and again at night. For best results, avoid eating or drinking for 30 minutes after consumption. Designed for children over 5 years old and adults.
Ingredients
Probiotics
Lactobacillus plantarum
Bifidobacterium lactis
Lactobacillus reuteri
Lactobacillus salivarius
Streptococcus salivarius BLIS K-12
Streptococcus salivarius BLIS M-18
Other ingredients
Xylitol - oral microbiome friendly sweetener
Chicory Root Inulin - prebiotic
Stearic Acid - naturally occuring emulsifier also found in shea butter & coconut oil
Hydroxypropyl Cellulose - inactive ingredient that forms the backbone of the probiotic
Natural Peppermint Flavors - gives it a minty fresh taste
Magnesium Searate - prevents the individual ingredients in a tablet from sticking to each other and the machine that creates them
Silica - a natural compound made of two of the earth’s most abundant materials: silicon (Si) and oxygen (O2), used to prevent ingredients from clumping together
Benefits
Our Probiotic is packed with beneficial bacterial strains intended to prevent or reduce bad breath, gum inflammation and tooth decay.
CLEAN. COMPREHENSIVE. MADE WITH CARE.
No GMOs, No Herbicides or Pesticides, No Artificial Colors, Flavors, Preservatives or Sweeteners.
GLUTEN FREE
NO EGGS
NO SUGAR
NUT FREE
DAIRY FREE
Build a strong foundation for your oral health & microbiome.
Meet your bacterial superheroes
Streptococcus salivarius M18
Clinically shown to reduce gum inflammation and bad breath.
Streptococcus salivarius K12
Supports gum & throat health; reduces bad breath.
Lactobacillus plantarum
Inhibits the growth of species like P. gingivalis that cause gum inflammation.
Bifidobacterium lactis
Improves gum health & fights species that cause gum inflammation and bad breath.
Lactobacillus reuteri
Improves immunity & kills bacteria that cause bad breath and gum inflammation.
Lactobacillus salivarius
Fights bacteria like S. mutans that cause tooth decay & reduces the bacteria that cause bad breath.
5,000+ people trust Bristle with their oral health
Good health starts with a healthy mouth
In 2021, we launched the world's first & most advanced oral microbiome test to help you understand and improve your oral health. Since then, we’ve helped over 4,000 people tackle the root-cause of conditions like bad breath and gum inflammation to improve their confidence and regain control of their mouths.
We leveraged billions of data points from one of the largest oral microbiome databases in the world to create the best oral probiotic available, helping even more people take a meaningful step towards oral health.
Our first-generation oral probiotic will help you combat bad breath, cavities, and gum disease the way we think all of oral care should be: science-based and made with care.
Danny Grannick
CEO & Co-founder at Bristle Health
Join 7,000+ members
Bristle Oral Health Test
Measure the levels of good & bad bacteria in your mouth. Understand your oral health & Identify the root-cause of conditions early on. Get a custom plan to improve. Backed by leading dentists.
See what you can accomplish with every test from Bristle
Identify & measure 100+ bacteria & fungi that make up your oral microbiome
Understand your oral health & risk for conditions like bad breath, gum inflammation & tooth decay
Get a customized action plan including diet, hygiene & product recommendations
Access exclusive discounts on oral care products
🚗 Free Shipping ⏱ 3-5 Day US Delivery 💲 HSA/FSA Accepted
Developed in collaboration with leading dentists
Dr. Mark Burhenne
Functional Dentist & Founder of Askthedentist.com
“If you make one investment in your health this entire year, let this be it. The mouth is the gateway to your body and oral bacteria have been associated with a higher risk for systemic conditions including Alzheimer’s, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and poor pregnancy outcomes.
You can’t be healthy without a healthy mouth. And what you don’t measure, you cannot manage.”
Dr. Mark Burhenne, DDS
Functional Dentist | Founder of AsktheDentist.com
Kriston Reisnour RDH, BSDH, CCSH, CSOM, FAAOSH
Dental Hygienist & Integrative Health Specialist
Dr. Jonathan Levine, DDS
Prosthodontist, NYU Professor | Founder of GLO Science
Dr. Eric Pulver
Oral Surgeon | Chief Dental Officer at Denti.Ai
Dr. Roshan Parikh, DDS
General Dentist | President & CEO at Dntl Bar
Frequently asked questions
Does the Oral Health Probiotic replace any other products?
No! The Oral Health Probiotic compliments your existing oral hygiene routine. You will see the best results when using the probiotic in combination with regular brushing and flossing.
How do I know if Bristle is right for me?
Bristle is great for anyone trying to improve their oral health. We designed our probiotic to help you tackle the root-cause of conditions including bad breath, cavities and gum disease, while also maintaining your general oral health.
We hand-picked our probiotic strains and ingredients to help everyone achieve their oral health goals.
Pro tip: if you are suffering from halitosis (chronic bad breath) we've seen the best results from taking two mints per day - one in the morning and again at night.
What kind of benefits can I expect from taking the Oral Health Probiotic?
Oral probiotics are a phenomenon when it comes to benefiting the mouth and the body.
Promoting oral health: Oral probiotics can help maintain a healthy balance of bacteria in the mouth, reducing the risk of cavities, gum disease, and bad breath.
Supporting immune function: The gut microbiome plays a vital role in immune function, and oral probiotics may help support overall immune health by promoting a healthy balance of gut bacteria.
Reducing inflammation: Probiotics are anti-inflammatory, which may benefit individuals with inflammatory conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Supporting digestive health: Oral probiotics can help promote a healthy balance of gut bacteria, which is important for overall digestive health and may help alleviate symptoms of digestive conditions such as bloating and constipation.
When should I expect to see benefits?
The length of time it takes to see results from oral probiotics can vary depending on a variety of factors, including the individual's overall health, the specific probiotic strain being used, and the reason for taking the probiotic. In general, it may take several weeks or even months of consistent use before significant changes are noticed. Some people may notice improvements in their oral health within a few weeks of starting a probiotic regimen, while others may take longer to see results. It’s important to discuss this with your coach on your next call.
What makes Bristle different from other oral probiotics?
Each ingredient and bacterial strain in Bristle was hand-selected and intentionally picked to provide the most bioavailable nutrients in a manner where each ingredient works in conjunction with the whole formula, while also optimizing its own function.
How does Bristle taste?
Our first-generation oral probiotic is packed with natural mint flavor to boost fresh breath. We designed our probiotic so you only need 1-2 per day, instead of 1 per hour like the mints in your pocket :)
How do I take Bristle's probiotic?
Take the Bristle probiotic once daily - we recommend taking it in the morning after your oral hygiene routine. Depending on your specific goals and oral microbiome you may benefit from taking our probiotic twice per day.
Just place the oral probiotic in your mouth and allow it to dissolve, similar to a normal mint.