14 February 2023

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SmartMouth survey reveals consumer concerns about consequences of bad breath

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SmartMouth – a leading provider of innovative oral-care products – partnered with research firm OnePoll to determine bad breath's impact on how consumers feel about themselves and how they perceive others. Conducted in late 2022, the survey drew responses from 2,000 consumers representing a general cross-section of the US population. While the poll revealed predictable attitudes about the results of bad breath, it also revealed confusion about bad breath's root cause: sulfur gas.

According to a Feb. 2 news release, respondents indicated bad breath's negative impact on relationships. For example:

• 52% of respondents found bad breath to be the biggest turn-off when meeting a new partner, beating out such factors as bad hygiene/body odor (47%), bad sense of humor (35%) and cockiness/overconfidence (28%).
• 37% of respondents felt bad breath ruins a first kiss the most – much more so than inexperience/lack of technique (15%) or lack of chemistry (9%).

Bad breath also can be linked to respondents' level of self-confidence particularly during key events. The two events that had respondents most concerned about having bad breath were:

• Going on a date (48%), and
• Going on a job interview (40%).

Far fewer respondents, or 16%, were concerned about having bad breath when going to the dentist.

Fresh breath was at the top of respondents' checklist when leaving the house (53%), ranking higher than checking for keys or a phone (49%), checking the weather (40%) or even checking if their outfit matches (16%).

While consumers seemed clear about their concerns about the impact and implications of bad breath, survey results showed that most respondents are unaware of the true cause of bad breath and, therefore, do not know how to adequately combat it. 

Among the most frequently identified causes of bad breath listed by consumers were:

• Food/food particles (41%)
• Bacteria (36%)
• Smoking (35%) and
• Dry mouth (28%)

The most frequently listed ways to combat bad breath included:

• Brushing teeth (44%)
• Using mouthwash (22%)
• Using mints (15%) and
• Flossing (3%)

Only 12% of respondents correctly identified sulfur gas as the true root cause of bad breath.

In the news release, SmartMouth CEO Jim Scheetz said the survey showed how important fresh breath is, in terms of its influence on one's self-confidence and interpersonal relationships.

"And while respondents identified some of the traditional contributing factors to bad breath, the survey also revealed common misconceptions about bad breath's root cause," he said. "My hope is more people become educated about sulfur gas's role in causing bad breath, so they can take the necessary steps to eliminate it – and bad breath."

SmartMouth is a leading provider of innovative oral-care products aimed at eliminating the root cause of bad breath: sulfur gas in the mouth. Only SmartMouth is clinically proven to eliminate and prevent bad breath for 24 hours with just two rinses a day.

About SmartMouth

A leading innovator in the fight against bad breath, SmartMouth Oral Health Laboratories was founded in 1993 by Dr. Marvin Cohen. SmartMouth products utilize a patented zinc-ion-activated technology to eliminate the root cause of bad breath: sulfur gas. The SmartMouth line of homecare oral-hygiene products includes SmartMouth Original Activated Mouthwash, Clinical Activated Mouthwash, Dry Mouth Activated Mouthwash, Dry Mouth Mints and Premium Zinc Ion Toothpaste. SmartMouth can be purchased at retailers nationwide and online. For more information, visit smartmouth.com.