Issue link: http://cp.revolio.com/i/1520
30 | James Hubbard's My Family Doctor | The Magazine That Makes Housecalls WHAT IT IS: The SorbayPC loz- enge is a different kind of breath freshener. Rather than providing a minty cover up, it's meant to clean your mouth. The company that makes the product, Bon Mangé, says three in- gredients accomplish this claim: Cit- ric acid increases production of the natural cleaner saliva. Tannic acid breaks down proteins and complex sugars. And sodium lauryl sulfate helps get rid of oils and dissolves those broken down proteins and sugars. As a bonus, Bon Mangé says, the citric and tannic acids help reduce tartar. METHODS AnD RESuLTS: We asked two readers and a dentist to test the product. Our readers found no benefit after one or two lozenges. Anna, however, said, "I think after a steady use, it would help." AVERAGE RATINGS: Breath- freshening ability Worth the price ($12.35 for 30-count bag) READERS' TAKES susan, homemaker, rosedale, n.Y. Based on the read- ing materials, I was expecting a burst of freshness to radiate from the lozenge to make my mouth feel fresh and tingly. I found that the lozenge was absolutely tasteless and it made no difference to the way my mouth felt. I think I'll stick my hard candies when I'm out and about and not near mouthwash. To the TEST sorbayPC Mouth Cleaners anna, receptionist, penn Yan, n.Y. After just using one or two, I did not notice any change. Even if I felt it helped, I would not spend that much. I brush my teeth three or more times a day and I chew gum if I am somewhere I cannot brush after eating. Mints and gum are much cheaper. EXPERT'S TAKE raymond W. evans, d.d.s., Heather park dental care, aurora, colo. The lozenge has a nondescript, albeit pleasant flavor, but we are condi- tioned to expect a burst of minty freshness when we put a "breath mint" in our mouth. Whether or not Sorbay PC actually does what it says it will do, many potential customers may regard the lozenge as ineffective because of its lack of flavor. The three active ingredients in SorbayPC, as listed on the company Web site, are said to be natural. 1. Citric acid is found in many fruits, particularly citrus, and is used as a flavoring and preservative in many foods and beverages. Its purpose in SorbayPC is to stimu- late saliva flow, which does, in fact, help neutralize dangerous acids. Although it is considered a weak acid, extended or extensive use of citric acid could cause tooth-enam- el demineralization. 2. Tannic acid is found in wood and leaves and is commonly used as a dye or stain. It has an application in dentistry: The tannic acid in tea leaves makes a teabag a commonly used blood-clotting agent after tooth extractions. One of its pur- ported functions in SorbayPC is to disrupt tartar's "superstructure," thus making it easier to remove daily. Obviously, a scientific study is needed to substantiate this claim. 3. Sodium lauryl sulfate is used in hundreds of household and indus- trial products to break down oils and reduce surface tension, among other things. It's what makes shampoo and toothpaste foamy. Its purpose in SorbayPC is to help carry away all the bad things in the mouth, which sounds plausible. Editor's note: On its Web site, Bon Mangé says, "Clinical trials, and independent health and safety (toxicological) study, [sic] and an examination of the structure of a human tooth after five years of exposure to Sorbay lozenges have been conducted with- out the emergence of a single safety issue." These studies did not appear to be posted on the Web site, nor did any showing that the product disrupts tartar's superstructure. www. bonmange. com/sorbaypc (800) 553-1224 $12.35 for 30-count bag, $31.04 for three bags