The ultimate eliminator of odors is a powerful, non-toxic ingredient found in Oxyfresh’s revolutionary odor-fighting products — and nowhere else! Oxygene® is Oxyfresh’s registered name for the active and exclusive, proprietary ingredient that safely and effectively destroys odors at their source.
The mechanism of action of Oxygene® (Sodium Chlorite – NaClO2) is through an oxidation-reduction reaction. It acts by oxidizing volatile sulfur compounds found in almost all body odors. The chemical reaction is:
H2S + 2NaClO2 = 2NaCl + SO4 + 2H+
Oxygene® rapidly and completely oxidizes the sulfur-containing molecule. The end products are sodium chloride, a water-soluble sulfate anion (innocuous) and two hydrogen atoms. The 2H+ reacts with the sodium citrate buffer to form citric acid. The end products are all completely safe. There is no formation of free chlorine, free chlorine dioxide, chlorinated organics or free hydroxyl radicals.
Volatile Sulfur Compounds (VSCs)
Volatile sulfur compounds are recognized as the source and cause of halitosis.
VSCs are produced primarily by the action of gram negative, anaerobic oral bacteria on sulfur-containing amino acids derived from peptides and protein in gingival crevicular fluid, blood, desquamated epithelial cells, saliva and food. Methyl mercaptans and hydrogen sulfides are the primary VSCs produced from these bacterial by-products.
Research has also recognized VSCs as the first step in the destruction of the periodontium by microorganisms. These VSCs are shown to increase the permeability of the epithelial lining, increasing the uptake of bacterial toxins and bacteria themselves into the epithelial barrier. This action initiates the breakdown of collagen in tissues. The destructive effects of the volatile sulfur compounds have been shown to occur between six to ten hours. Research has revealed oxidizing agents as the most powerful way to reduce and eliminate the harmful effects these VSCs have in the mouth.
Oxidizing Versus Oxygenating
Hydrogen peroxide is an oxygenating agent that releases nascent oxygen, which has been shown to be of great value in the acidation of pathogenic and anaerobic organisms, viruses, bacteria and fungi.
The undesirable aspect of hydrogen peroxide is that it enters into biochemical reactions that generate an even more toxic substance, hydroxyl radical, the most deleterious of toxic oxygen metabolites (Haber-Wiess Reactions). Sodium chlorite, unlike hydrogen peroxide, is an oxidizing agent and is completely safe and non-toxic at over 10 times the normal efficacious levels. The major degradation compound is non-toxic as well. Most importantly, it does not initiate free radical generation.