Is Bad Breath a Sign of Periodontal Disease?

Do you find yourself eating mints or chewing gum to mask bad breath? If so, you are certainly not alone. Bad breath, also called halitosis, is a significant concern for many patients throughout the Bellevue, WA area. A bout of bad breath, while a common occurrence, can be fleeting and simply the result of a recent meal or cup of coffee. But when it persists or does not seem to resolve, it could be a symptom of periodontal (gum disease). At Premier Periodontics, we routinely treat patients who have bad breath due to periodontitis or other forms of gum disease. If you have chronic oral malodor or a lingering bad taste in your mouth, please set up a gum disease screening with one of our periodontists in Bellevue, Everett, Kirkland, Mercer Island, Olympia, or Redmond, WA.

What causes bad breath?

Bad breath can result from a number of factors, including certain foods and drinks, smoking, dry mouth (xerostomia), medications, and mouth breathing at night. While garlic, onions, potent spices, and coffee can certainly leave behind oral malodor, bad breath caused from foods or beverages generally dissipates within a matter of hours. For a number of Bellevue, WA patients, bad breath that is chronic in nature is commonly a result of periodontal disease. Chronic bad breath is often caused by oral bacteria that emit sulfur-producing compounds into the oral environment. These bacteria live within the plaque that accumulates on the teeth and gums, making it essential to maintain routine dental care and oral hygiene efforts to keep this buildup to a minimum.

Will gum disease treatment get rid of bad breath?

Treating gum disease is essential to the health of your teeth, gums, jawbone, and overall systemic wellness, but it can also help to resolve a case of chronic bad breath. A significant factor in the presence of gum disease is the buildup of plaque, tartar, and bacteria above and beneath the gumline. Periodontal disease treatments focus on the removal of these plaque and tartar deposits, which harbor bacteria that produce malodor in the mouth. At Premier Periodontics, our experienced periodontists and team offer several gum disease treatment options to treat the gingivitis, periodontitis, and advanced periodontitis stages of the condition.

How can I prevent bad breath in the future?

Keeping up with healthy dental habits can help prevent the recurrence of chronic bad breath over time. If halitosis is still present after gum disease has been treated, it could be a result of sinus trouble or stomach problems, like acid reflux disease. Patients are advised to consult their medical physicians if they believe these, or other issues, may be impacting their general health. Our Bellevue, WA periodontists offer the following recommendations for helping to keep future bouts of bad breath at bay:

1. Brush thoroughly a minimum of twice each day, including your tongue. Bacteria get trapped between the papilla on the tongue and can produce malodor in the mouth.
2. Floss your teeth on a daily basis. Your toothbrush bristles cannot reach between the teeth or beneath the gumline in these interproximal areas. Flossing helps to remove plaque and bacteria to minimize their accumulation.
3. Maintain routine dental cleanings as recommended by your dentist or the periodontal specialists at Premier Periodontics.

Get help for gum disease and bad breath in Bellevue, WA

Bad breath can be embarrassing and could even have an impact on your self-confidence, not to mention your willingness to communicate freely with others. But it can also be a sign of periodontal disease. To learn more about the relationship between gum disease and bad breath, or to set up a periodontal evaluation, please schedule a visit at Premier Periodontics. Our periodontists offer expert care at our specialty practices located in Bellevue, Everett, Kirkland, Mercer Island, Olympia, and Redmond, WA.