Chronic Bad Breath? It Could Be a Sign of Gum Disease

Occasional bad breath is likely unavoidable, influenced by the food and drinks you enjoy. When it becomes chronic, however, the problem may be more than too much garlic. Bad breath is also a sign that gum disease is taking hold in your mouth.

When you’ve brushed and flossed and bad breath (medically known as halitosis) persists, it’s time to investigate the gum disease connection. 

Visit Dr. Prathima Rasamsetty and her team at Preva Dental in San Antonio, Texas. A full-service general and cosmetic dental practice, we take your dental health seriously. Gum disease is very common, and we can help you get your oral health back on track. 

What is gum disease? 

Gum disease affects about half of adults in the United States age 30 and older, and nearly three-quarters of people develop it by the time they reach 65. 

Gum disease occurs when bacteria already present in your mouth begin to collect along your gum line and multiply. By-products of their growth are toxic to your gums, causing inflammation and gum recession if left untreated. 

Receding gums allow bacteria to penetrate deeper, to the roots of your teeth. Once there, they can weaken the tooth, causing tooth loss and more advanced infections that may spread throughout your body. 

The connection between gum disease and chronic bad breath

These bacterial by-products don’t only irritate your gums, they release odors, too. That’s the primary cause of bad breath associated with gum disease. Every time you open your mouth, those odors can escape.

Gum infections can produce pus, containing dead blood cells and dead tissue, another smelly cause of halitosis. Gum disease is such a common cause of chronic bad breath, it’s called perio breath. 

Unlike bad breath caused by smelly foods and drinks, perio breath can’t be removed by brushing, flossing, or mouthwash.

Gum disease treatment

Your gum disease treatment depends on the stage the disease has reached. Disease in its early stages benefits from more frequent cleanings to get rid of bacteria and plaque while preventing receding gums.

More advanced gum disease requires deeper cleaning that reaches below the gum line to remove bacteria along the entire tooth surface, including the exposed root. Severe gum disease could require surgery to treat deep infection and reattach damaged gums.

Treating gum disease also treats the chronic bad breath issues that arise as a symptom. When you have breath problems you can’t brush away, contact Preva Dental, even if it’s outside of your regular six-month schedule. Book your appointment online or by phone today.