Bad breath is caused by Bacteria which are anaerobic in nature ( not needing oxygen ) and these produce sulfur. These bacteria love living within the surface of the tongue and in the throat. These bacteria are supposed to be there, because they assist humans in digestion by breaking down the proteins found in specific foods, mucous or phlegm, blood and in diseased or "broken-down" oral tissue. Under certain conditions, these bacteria start to break down proteins at a very high rate. Proteins are made up of Amino Acids. Two of the Amino Acids are dense with sulfur. When these "Beneficial" bacteria come into contact with these compounds, the odorous and "lousy-tasting" sulfur compounds are released from the back of the tongue and throat, as hydrogen Sulfide, Methyl Mercaptan, and other odorous and bad tasting compounds. These compounds are often referred to as VSC, where Volatile means Vaporous and Effervescent, two adjectives which accurately describe their ability to offend people instantly. They are not the "Bad Guys - they are not infectious. Everyone in the world has the same group of bacteria in their mouth. You cannot catch bad breath from someone else - even by kissing. Since they are part or our normal oral flora, you cannot permanently remove them from your mouth, not by tongue scraping, not by antibiotics, and not by rinses which claim to "lift bacteria off your tongue". The only scientifically proven and clinically effective method of stopping halitosis is by attacking the bacteria's ability to produce VSC and by converting the VSC into non-odorous and non-tasting organic salts.