Dentists know how to take your breath away Published Dec. 10, 2012 GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- No one wants bad breath, and dental officials here say that most people can prevent it with good oral hygiene. If you think you might suffer from bad breath, ask family or friends to be honest with you. Listed below are some causes and how to prevent and treat bad breath. CAUSES Food: Certain foods like onions, garlic, coffee and spices can cause temporary bad breath. Keep in mind that their odor may be detected for up to 72 hours while your food digests! When you eat or drink, some food particles will inevitably stick to your teeth. Sugary foods and drinks and foods high in simple carbohydrates are especially sticky and may remain on teeth longer. The bacteria that lives in your mouth will start feeding on these food particles and the acidic "waste" that they create (plaque) can cause a sulfur-like smell to come from your mouth. The food particles themselves will start rotting inside your mouth and that can also create a foul odor. Habits: Most of the time, poor oral hygiene is the primary cause of bad breath. We all eat and drink and we all have bacteria in our mouths. If you do not manually remove the food particles, bacteria and plaque by brushing and flossing your teeth, the acids produced by the bacteria will begin to "eat" your teeth. This is dental decay, also called caries or cavities. The longer you leave it sitting there, the more difficult it becomes to clean and may damage or stain your countertop (tooth decay requiring a filling). Smoking or using chewing tobacco may also cause bad breath. Health: In about 10 percent of halitosis (bad breath) cases, the cause may be health related and the odor does not originate in the mouth, according to the Mayo Clinic. Diabetes, kidney or liver failure, hormonal changes, acid reflux, stress and low-carbohydrate diets are a few things that may cause bad breath. Bad breath may also indicate more serious dental problems like gingivitis and periodontal disease. A condition called dry mouth occurs naturally while you sleep and leads to the dreaded "morning breath." People who snore or sleep with their mouth open may be more susceptible to dry mouth. Dry mouth may also be a side effect of certain medications or a symptom of a separate health condition. You should see your dentist if you have bad breath that is sudden or unusual and continues despite good oral hygiene. PREVENTION AND TREATMENT Modify what and when you eat: Constant snacking or frequently drinking sugary drinks (soft drinks, sports drinks, juices, coffee with sweeteners) means you are continually providing bacteria with food. Cutting back on snacks, especially those high in sugar and simple carbohydrates, may improve your dental health. Consistent Oral Hygiene: Mints and mouthwashes only mask bad breath. You should brush your teeth at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and floss once a day. We recommend brushing gently but thoroughly after breakfast and before you go to sleep with a soft bristle toothbrush. Try to brush for at least two minutes. It will take you that long to thoroughly brush all surfaces of your teeth. Spend a little extra time on your molars (back teeth) because they tend to get cavities more frequently than your front teeth. You see your front teeth when you smile, but you need your back teeth to chew food. Brush or scrape your tongue: Your tongue is like a shag carpet and your taste buds are the carpet fibers that can trap smelly bacteria on your tongue. You can purchase a separate tongue scraper or use the side of a spoon to gently scrape the top of your tongue. You can also your toothbrush to gently brush your tongue and remove bacteria from your mouth. Regular visits to the dentist: Yes, we know that most people do not like going to the dentist. It's important to have an annual exam and cleaning so that your dental team can remove any tartar (plaque that hardens on the tooth and cannot be removed with a toothbrush), take X-rays to monitor cavities, and treat any dental decay before it grows larger. Most cavities can be prevented and small cavities may be treated without a filling, but if you wait until you have tooth pain, the cavity may require more extensive dental care. Chew sugar free gum with xylitol: Chewing gum stimulates saliva production and helps wash away food particles that may be stuck on your teeth. Xylitol is a sugar substitute that inhibits the growth of bacteria that causes cavities. Drink water: Water not only hydrates you and combats dry mouth, but it also washes away food particles and some of the odor-causing bacteria in your mouth. To schedule an annual exam/cleaning, call the Grand Forks AFB Dental Clinic at 701-747-5393. (Courtesy of the 319th Medical Operations Squadron Dental Flight)