Bacteria Causes Halitosis and Gum Disease
A leading source of halitosis is odor-causing bacteria. The same types of anaerobic bacteria that are responsible for halitosis also cause gum disease. Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a serious infection which threatens the health of your smile.
If your teeth are sensitive to the touch or if your gums bleed while you’re brushing, there’s a high probably that you have gum disease. If so, you should contact your periodontist right away.
Preventing the spread of bacteria is important for fighting both halitosis and gum disease. The bacteria that leads to bad breath and gum disease feeds on the plaque and tartar which develops in your mouth.
Plaque is the film that develops on your teeth after a meal. Tartar, also known as calculus, is the rough substance that gets removed from your teeth during your regular cleanings from a dental hygienist.
Almost half of Americans over the age of 30 are suffering with gum disease and many of them don’t even know it. And this problem tends to get worse as we age. The rate of infection for Americans over the age of of 65 surpasses 70 percent.
The Three Stages of Gum Disease
There are three stages of gum disease: gingivitis, periodontitis, and advanced periodontitis. The earlier your periodontitis discovers your gum disease, the easier it is to treat. But if gum disease is allowed to the advanced periodontitis stage, the effects can be devastating. The symptoms of advanced periodontitis include:
- A constant bad taste in your mouth
- Sore, red, and swollen gums
- Extremely bad breath
- Teeth shift around in your jawbone
- Infected pockets develop around base of teeth
- Bleeding gums
- Gums pull away from teeth, so teeth appear larger
- Pus oozes from gums
- Teeth fall out
How to Prevent Bad Breath and Gum Disease
There are several things you can do to fight the plaque and tartar that lead to halitosis and gum disease:
- Visit a dentist for regular checkups at least twice a year
- Brush your teeth with a soft-bristled brush twice a day
- Use an interdental cleaner such as dental floss or a water flosser twice a day
- Rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash twice a day
- Avoid smoking and other tobacco products
- Keep your mouth hydrated by drinking water throughout the day.
Your Halitosis Specialists in Berkeley
At the Center for Breath Treatment in Berkeley, we’re experts on diagnosing the causes of halitosis and eradicating its effects. Call us today so we can get started on treating your halitosis.