Tackling Bad Breath? Start by Addressing Gum Disease

Do you suspect that you have bad breath (also called halitosis)? Even worse, has someone mentioned your bad breath? If so, you probably thought back on what you recently ate that caused your foul mouth. Onions? Garlic? Canned tuna? Tobacco products? Perhaps, but your unhealthy gums might be to blame. 

At the office of Lakeland Periodontics & Implant Dentistry, we provide our patients with excellent care—the kind for which we’re known. We uphold a position at the forefront of advances in periodontal treatments, and we offer outstanding solutions to improve the feel and function of your gums and overall oral health. 

Unpleasant breath due to gum problems is known as perio breath. Gum disease is usually due to poor oral hygiene, and people age 30 and older are more prone to it. Halitosis stems from certain types of bacteria that live in the mouth. The bacteria decompose proteins and then emit malodorous volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs). Gum disease or infection contributes to and exacerbates bad breath.

Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease that makes gums red, swollen and bleed easily. It’s the earliest stage of periodontal disease and spawns bad breath. Periodontitis is a more acute breakdown of your gum tissues. When your gums have reached that point, there’s no going back. 

Gum diseases’ inflamed tissues can also cause smelly VSCs. If periodontitis is due to a widespread buildup of plaque, halitosis can be more intense. See a periodontist right away if you have sensitive or loose teeth, receding gums, halitosis unrelated to food or tobacco, pain when chewing, and gums that bleed, swell up or are sore. 

His (or her) treatment could encompass a deep cleaning (called scaling and root planing), during which he banishes all of the bacteria above and below the gum line of the affected teeth. He might also prescribe you antimicrobial medications to control bacteria in your mouth. In more intense periodontal cases, you may need gum flap surgery, or bone or tissue grafts to replace the oral structures lost to periodontal disease.

No matter what your periodontal needs are, you will be in excellent hands at the office of Lakeland Periodontics & Implant Dentistry. We love building strong relationships with our patients, and we look forward to meeting you. Call us today for an appointment!