Bad Breath Blues

  • Published
  • By Capt. Ashley Brooks
  • 7th Aerospace Medicine Squadron
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Have you found yourself wishing you or a loved one could eliminate bad breath? It is often embarrassing and can detract from your social and professional life. Many people wonder what causes bad breath and how to get rid of it.

Most often, bad breath is associated with poor removal of bacteria and food particles during brushing and flossing. Food that collects between the teeth, on the tongue and around the gums can rot, leaving an unpleasant odor. Proper brushing and flossing should eliminate this source of bad breath.

What you choose to eat can contribute to bad breath as well. Foods with high garlic or onion content can have a lasting effect. Once the food is absorbed into the bloodstream, odor-causing chemicals are transferred to the lungs, where they are expelled. Brushing, flossing and mouthwash will only mask the odor temporarily. Odors continue until the body eliminates the chemicals.

Dry mouth, or low saliva amounts can heighten bad breath odors. Saliva's role is to cleanse the mouth by removing loose food particles. Antidepressant medications, smoking, breathing with the mouth open, dehydration, and radiation for oral cancer are some of the leading causes for dry mouth. Increasing your fluid intake and using sugarless gum or candy can help stimulate your salivary glands to produce saliva.

Your Dyess dental provider recommends brushing twice daily for two minutes per session. You should use fluoride toothpaste and an American Dental Association-accepted toothbrush. Don't forget your tongue! Your tongue has many peaks and valleys to enhance your tasting ability. However, the carpet-like terrain of your tongue collects loads of food and bacteria. Make sure to brush your tongue or use a tongue scraper daily. Finally, flossing daily will remove the grime that collects between your teeth.

Your annual dental checkup and cleaning will serve to update your oral status and remove tartar buildup throughout the year. Please ask your dental provider for any further suggestions. Information for this article was provided by www.ada.org.