[zdf]

I would like to know your opinion on this product: http://www.amazon.com/Periogen-Hygienist-clean-Tartar-Removing-Rinse/dp/B0048IGBD0

Patent: http://www.google.com/patents/US8303938

I have a poor basic knowledge of chemistry/physics. I would like to know the opinion of an expert: is it snake oil, or it might actually work?


Thank you.

[Arkcon]

The patent makes a number of statements, one of which is that pyrophosphates and polyphosphates reduce calculus (the tooth coating kind, not the math kind -- heh.)  This sort of statement is well supported in other literature.  I don't think anyone can make a specific comment on the particular blurb.

[zdf]

This is what one of the buyers did: “I filled up two identical, small glass jars with lids with water. I dissolved a very large amount of Periogen into one. […]I then placed identical amounts of tartar into both glass jars, made sure water was fill)ed all the way to the top (to minimize air contamination) and I set them down to see what would happen. […]Finally, after about three months, I opened both jars up, carefully drained the water, and felt the consistency of both sets of tartar chips. They both felt identical!”

The answer from Periogen makes no sense to me: “First of all, your "in-vitro test" was not done correctly. The Periogen solution containing the tartar sample must be changed daily!” The answer implies that the “magic” happens in a limited time frame, while the ingredients react.

http://www.amazon.com/review/REC2089MQK9WQ/ref=cm_cr_pr_cmt?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B004P02NW4