2003 paper: Biofilms and the tongue: therapeutical approaches for the control of halitosis

2003 paper:

Biofilms and the tongue: therapeutical approaches for the control of halitosis.

Roldán S, Herrera D, Sanz M.

Faculty of Odontology, University Complutense, Plaza. Ramón y Cajal s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain.

Methanethiol (also known as methyl mercaptan) is a colorless gas with a smell like rotten cabbage . It is a natural substance found in the blood , brain, and other animal as well as plant tissues... It is also one of the main chemicals responsible for bad breath and the smell of flatus. The chemical formula for methanethiol is CH3SH ; it is classified as a thiol.
Wikipedia
The dorsum of the tongue seems to harbour one of the most complex microbial niches in human ecology, sometimes resulting in halitosis. One of the main chemicals responsible for bad breath and the smell of flatus is methanethiol (also known as methyl mercaptan).

In addition to diagnosing and managing possible metabolic condition causing alveolar halitosis, one would also need to address the need to control this bacterial niche. Different home remedies that some sufferers claim have shown positive results include the use of a tongue scraper, applying drops of lemon juice toward the back of the tongue, gargling with a mild saline solution with baking soda, and nasal wash with a Neti Pot, amongst others. The following study explores the effects of various antimicrobial agents.

...little is known about how to control this bacterial niche, and factors affecting tongue coating composition and aspect are not fully understood. Studies available on the influence of mechanical or antimicrobial approaches against tongue biofilm are very limited. Mechanical treatments showed a transient reduction in halitosis-related variables but were limited in time. Different antimicrobials agents have been evaluated: chlorhexidine, chlorine dioxide, metal ions, triclosan, formulations containing essential oils , and hydrogen peroxide. However, most studies were designed as short-term models. Some of these studies demonstrated that the reduction in halitosis-related variables was associated with significant changes in the tongue microflora.

Abstract on springerlink.com

Wikipedia : Methanethiol