Question

1. a person needs to brush their teeth and tongue for this many minutes twice per day to reduce the instances of having bad breath

a) 1 minute
b) 2 minutes
c) 3 minutes
d) 4 minutes

1. brushing does not stimulate the gums and prevent gum disease.

a) true
b) false

1. mouthwash will make bad breath go away permanently!

a) true
b) false

1. these foods contain pungent oils that can contribute to bad breath because the oils are carried to your lungs and out through your mouth(select all that apply).

a) garlic
b) apple
c) onion
d) banana

1. bad breath is caused by odor - producing bacteria that grows in the mouth!

a) true
b) false

Explanation:

1. Standard dental guidelines recommend brushing teeth and tongue for 2 minutes twice daily to reduce bad breath by effectively removing bacteria and food debris.
2. Proper brushing technique (using gentle, circular motions along the gumline) stimulates gums and helps prevent gum disease, so the statement is incorrect.
3. Mouthwash only temporarily masks or reduces bad breath; it does not address the root causes (like bacteria buildup or food debris) permanently.
4. Garlic and onion contain strong, pungent oils that are absorbed into the bloodstream, carried to the lungs, and exhaled, causing persistent bad breath. Apples and bananas do not have this effect.
5. The primary cause of bad breath (halitosis) is odor-producing bacteria that break down food particles and other debris in the mouth, releasing foul-smelling compounds.

Answer:

1. b) 2 minutes
2. b) False
3. b) False
4. a) Garlic, c) Onion
5. a) True