| Allan I. Abolafia, D.D.S. |  |
Allen W. Ackerman, D.D.S. |
| THE TOOTH TRIBUNE |
Take this simple "Breath Test" to find out what you really know about halitosis. Answer "true" or "false." Then check out the answers to see how you did.
1. Drinking lots of water and eating vegetables will cure bad breath.
2. Tongue cleaners will help reduce bad breath.
3. Bad breath may be caused by poor brushing habits.
4. Breath fresheners, such as sprays and mints, can lessen the symptoms of bad breath.
5. Most people can self-diagnose themselves by smelling their own breath.
6. Moving saliva around the mouth can remove the symptoms of bad breath.
7. Plaque causes bad breath.
8. Losing weight can diminish bad breath.
9. Spicy foods may cause bad breath.
10. Antibiotics can cure bad breath.
11. Men exhibit bad breath more frequently than women.
12. The incidence of bad breath decreases with age.
13. The only beverages associated with halitosis are exotic beverages, not normally consumed.
14. The first person to see about a bad breath problem is a dentist.
15. Medications may increase bad breath.
16. Herbal antidotes can cure bad breath.
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1. False, although water and vegetables might mask the problem for a while.
2. False. Tongue cleaners have been around for centuries, but they too only mask the problem.
3. True. Inadequate brushing may cause plaque to form. Bacteria is then sealed in and causes bad breath.
4. True, but only for short periods.
5. False. Here's what will work: Rub a light cloth or piece of cotton through your mouth. Then smell it 5-10 minutes later.
6. True in many cases.
7. True. Plaque accumulation can be avoided by careful brushing and flossing. Once formed, however, only a dentist can remove it.
8. False. As the body burns stored fat, sometimes just the opposite has been shown.
9. True in many instances.
10. Generally false. Some antibiotics may mask the condition. Others may decrease saliva flow and increase the problem.
11. True, although evidence isn't totally in yet.
12. False. The opposite is true. Saliva production slows down with age. This may result in an increase of bad breath.
13. False in most cases. More commonplace substances, such as coffee, can aggravate the problem in some people.
14. True. Dentists can check for plaque, gum disease or other conditions that may be causing the problem.
15. True.
16. Generally false. Although herbal remedies have been around for centuries, there is no scientific proof that they produce lasting results.
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