Perio Breath: Things To Know
You may be wondering about your bad breath, even though you might not be eating onion or garlic more often. You may have this bad breath due to your gums. This gum-related bad breath is also known as perio breath, and it is a sign of a bigger problem with your gums.
In this article, we will talk about how gum disease and bad breath are connected, and how you can prevent this condition.
Symptoms of gum disease
If you have bad breath and you think that it is because of gum disease, you may want to check for a few symptoms. Symptoms of gum disease may include the following.
- Swollen and tender gum that bleed
- Loose or sensitive tooth
- Teeth appearing longer due to gum recession
- Bad breath
These symptoms indicate that you have an early stage of gum disease, known as gingivitis, which is reversible. This problem, if left untreated, can transform into much severer condition, known as periodontitis.
Periodontitis and bad breath
According to the Victoria State Government, bad breath, also known as halitosis, is caused by the presence of bacteria in the mouth. These bacteria result in a release of volatile sulfur compounds that smell bad. Several dental issues, including gum disease and infection, can make the problem of halitosis even worse.
A recent study suggests that a vast majority of halitosis cases occur due to gingivitis, periodontitis, and a coating of bacteria over the tongue.
It may be interesting to note that just as gum disease can result in bad breath, the reverse may also be true – bad breath can lead to a heightened risk of gum infection.
Treatment for gum disease and resulting bad breath
Ensuring effective dental care at home can help you prevent, and reverse gingivitis. But, you may have to consult your dentist for advanced treatment if you face the problem of periodontitis. This treatment may include deep cleaning, also known as scaling and root planing. During this procedure, the dentist removes bacteria above and below the gum line. This treatment may also include the use of antimicrobial medications to stop bacteria from prevailing in the mouth. The dentist may consider minor surgery to replace oral structures lost to periodontitis.
Specialists suggest that the treatment of halitosis will depend on the underlying reason, so you might want to discuss your case with your dentist. Generally, you will need to make sure that you are on top of your oral care regimen at home. The matter of fact is that you can keep dental and oral infections at bay by ensuring effective holistic oral hygiene.
