Frequently Asked Questions
What does BLIS stand for?
Glad you asked! BLIS is an acronym for Bacteriocin-Like Inhibitory Substances - and the core of our science and advanced probiotics.
What, then, is an advanced probiotic?
Probiotics are strains of good bacteria that provide a health benefit when they are consumed in beneficial amounts. They work by rapidly reproducing and crowding out any bad bacteria. You might be familiar with probiotics aimed to maintain a good balance in the gut, but your gut is not the only place that has has a biome worth keeping in balance.
On top of the normal benefits of a probiotics, advanced probiotic strains (the kind we use) can also produce antimicrobial peptides that ‘seek and destroy’ bad bacteria, therefore providing added protection against infections that bad bacteria can cause.
It is this targeted approach that sets our probiotics apart. Our BLIS K12™ and BLIS M18™ are both advanced probiotics strains that utilise Streptococcus Salivarius and have this additional capability for increased health benefits.
Salivarius... what?
Streptococcus salivarius is a species of spherical, gram-positive, facultative anaerobic bacteria that is both catalase and oxidase negative. S. salivarius colonizes (usually in chains) the mouth and upper respiratory tract of humans just a few hours after birth, making further exposure to the bacteria harmless in most circumstances.
The easy explanation is that S. Salivarius is the good bacteria that we've manufactured for our oral probiotic products because they gave us the most beneficial results.
BLIS K12™ and BLIS M18™ are both specific strains of Streptococcus salivarius.
What are oral probiotics and how do they differ from other probiotics?
As mentioned above, most commercially available probiotics are targeted towards the gut and digestive tract.
Oral probiotics, however, are the type that support the mouth and throat, protecting the whole oral cavity (a fancy way of saying, mouth, teeth, gums and throat).
BLIS K12™ probiotics populate the mouth and throat with good bacteria, crowding out and killing the bad bugs that can cause Group A Strep, ear infections and halitosis.
BLIS M18™ works in a similar way but it is targeted specifically at the bad bacteria that can cause teeth and gum issues, such as tooth decay and gum disease.
What is the benefit of taking an oral probiotic?
In an ideal world, everybody would have the right balance of microbes in their oral cavity. Unfortunately, this is not the case for most people, as only a small portion of the population (about 2%) already have the natural presence of BLIS-producing Streptococcus salivarius.
For the rest of us, taking a BLIS probiotic regularly will boost the oral cavity with these healthy bacteria and in turn support good oral health.
Is it true that the active ingredient in both ThroatGuard PRO and FreshBreath is the same? If so, do I need to purchase both products?
BLIS K12™ is the active ingredient in both ThroatGuard PRO and FreshBreath lozenges. However, for people who suffer from bad breath (halitosis), it is important they use an antibacterial mouthwash as directed and take the recommended dosing of lozenges.
You do not, however, need to buy both products if you are trying to solve both problems!
I’ve been using the FreshBreath lozenges for several months now and I’m experiencing fantastic results. Should I keep taking them continuously, or take a break for a while?
We’ve found that continuing to use the FreshBreath lozenges achieves long-term sustained fresh breath, so they should be made a regular part of your dental hygiene routine.
We know that there is some ongoing effect when taking BLIS K12™ but it does drop off if not maintained. Unfortunately, using it for a couple of months is not a permanent ‘cure’, and for optimal results the lozenges should be taken consistently.
My child has strep throat and is currently on antibiotics. Should I start him on BLIS Probiotics now or wait until he has finished the antibiotics?
We would recommend beginning BLIS Probiotics the day after the course of antibiotics is complete.
It is important to take the full course of antibiotics as they will kill off the bad bacteria that is causing the infection. But, the way antibiotics work is that they also kill the ‘good’ bacteria, which means that if you're taking BLIS products at the same time as antibiotics, the beneficial effects of BLIS won't be as strong.
The optimal time to recolonize the oral cavity with good bacteria (BLIS K12™ or BLIS M18™) is immediately following the course of antibiotics.
Is it okay to take BLIS Probiotics straight after food or brushing teeth?
You can take your daily lozenges whenever is most suitable, and up to 4 lozenges a day.
However, for optimal results during the day, it is best not to eat or drink at least 30 minutes after taking the lozenge.
At night, you should take the lozenge after brushing your teeth.
Will BLIS K12™ or BLIS M18™ help with recurring mouth ulcers?
We have not conducted any trials in this area so we are unable to say if this is an area that BLIS Probiotics can be utilized for.
What is the best form of BLIS K12™ and BLIS M18™? Lozenges? Gum? Powder?
We typically produce BLIS K12™ and BLIS M18™ in lozenge form as it is the most effective way to colonise the mouth and throat with the good bacteria.
Allowing the lozenge to dissolve slowly on the tongue gives it the best opportunity to work its magic in the mouth and throat area.
We also offer a powdered form which is suitable for children who may struggle to suck on a lozenge.
It's important to note that the lozenge should not be swallowed whole as that will lead to no beneficial colonisation in the mouth. And, it should not be chewed, as that will cause the good bugs to die before they can do their work.
Can you take ThroatGuard Pro and Teeth&Gums be taken together?
We have carried out studies to show that you may take ThroatGuard Pro (contains BLIS K12™) and Teeth&Gums (contains BLIS M18™) at the same time.
For best results, take one lozenge of ThroatGuard Pro in the morning and one lozenge of Teeth&Gums at night.
I’ve seen other branded products that contain BLIS K12™. Is this the same BLIS probiotic?
Our company, Blis Technologies Limited, has the world-wide patent for both the BLIS K12™ and BLIS M18™ strains. We produce our own finished goods which are available globally.
We also supply ingredients to manufacturers who sell and distribute in overseas markets. If another brand is correctly displaying the BLIS trademarks and patent statements, it is likely that they have been supplied genuine BLIS K12™ or BLIS M18™.
If you are concerned about a product being ‘real’, look for reference to Blis Technologies and the strain that the product contains. Any product that includes our active ingredients need to correctly label their packaging and reference both the company and the strain name.
If in doubt, you can also reach out to us via email or social media and we can help advise further.
Do BLIS Probiotics contain sugar or gluten?
All BLIS Probiotics are sugar-free and gluten-free.
How should I store my BLIS Probiotics?
We recommend storing BLIS Probiotics below 25 degrees Celsius. They are shelf-stable so they do not need to go into the fridge.
Are BLIS Probiotics safe to take alongside other medications?
While you shouldn’t incur problems taking a BLIS probiotic alongside other prescription medication, you should seek the advice from your physician. If you are taking antibiotics you should complete the antibiotics before starting to take BLIS Probiotics.
All BLIS Probiotics are GRAS approved (Generally Recognised as Safe) by the United States Food and Drug Administration.
Are there any products that will interfere with BLIS K12™ or BLIS M18™?
We do not recommend using BLIS Probiotics at the same time as taking antibiotics for any condition associated with the ears, nose, throat or mouth.
Anti-microbial mouthwash also kill off good and bad bacteria. If you use anti-microbial mouthwash – always take BLIS Probiotics as the last step in your dental hygiene routine.
Where are your products manufactured?
We are proud to be a New Zealand-based company. From research and development through to manufacturing and packaging, Blis Technologies does it all from our headquarters in Dunedin.
