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

Bad breath, or halitosis, can be acute (like when you eat something garlicky) or chronic (when it stems from a dental problem). There are many potential causes, but most relate to a single root cause — periodontal disease.

At Fluegge Family Dentistry, Dr. Matthew Fluegge and our team provide general dentistry services for our patients in East Wenatchee, Washington, including diagnosing and treating bad breath. 

If your bad breath has turned chronic, it’s likely a sign of periodontal disease, which requires treatment to save your teeth. Here’s what you need to know.

Bad breath causes

Some causes of halitosis are serious, and some aren’t.

Bacteria

Your mouth is full of bacteria that feed off the sugar in food debris, producing acid as a byproduct that etches your tooth enamel and leads to tooth decay and gum discomfort. As they consume food, they leave a foul-smelling odor behind.

Brushing and flossing after meals and using an antiseptic mouth rinse can all help combat the smell.

Dry mouth

If your mouth constantly feels dry, you might not be making enough saliva, the liquid responsible for removing bacteria and debris from your mouth. Without enough saliva, the bacteria’s byproducts can leave a foul odor behind.

Drinking more water, chewing sugarless gum, and using products like Biotene® that are “saliva replacements” can all reduce the problem.

Tobacco products

Smoking jeopardizes your overall health by putting you at risk for major health problems like heart disease, vein disease, kidney failure, and stroke. 

It also affects your oral health, staining your teeth and leaving a bad smell. In addition, tobacco decreases your sense of taste, irritates your gum tissues, and affects your sense of smell, so you may not be aware of how bad your breath smells.

Periodontal disease basics

Periodontal disease, more commonly known as gum disease, is an inflammatory condition that attacks your gums, causing swelling, a dark red color, and bleeding when you brush. 

The early signs of the disease are called gingivitis, which may or may not cause you discomfort. But if you leave it untreated, the condition can progress to the more advanced stage, known as periodontitis. Periodontitis causes a range of oral complications, such as:

• Deep pockets between your tooth roots and gums
• Persistent bad breath
• Tooth and bone loss
• Sores in your mouth

The deep pockets caused by receding gums allow for plaque build-up, a sticky film of bacteria, byproducts, and food debris on your teeth and gums. The plaque can harden into tartar, which moves below the gum line, irritating the gum tissue and causing it to break down. That can loosen the tissue’s grip on your teeth, which may become loose. 

You can’t address tartar at home; it takes a professional scaling and root planing procedure.

Periodontal disease and bad breath

Bad breath that won’t go away is commonly a warning sign of periodontal disease. The foul odor comes from food breakdown and tissue destruction, and it’s especially strong in the deep pockets around the tooth roots. The plaque that builds up within the pockets can also lead to tooth decay, worsening the odor.

When to see your dentist 

If brushing, flossing, and antiseptic rinses don’t improve your bad breath, it’s time to come into the office to see Dr. Fluegge. If you keep to a twice-yearly schedule of professional dental cleanings, he can often detect and address the early signs of gum disease before they worsen. 

These cleanings also remove hardened tartar and odor-causing bacteria, preventing periodontal disease from developing in the first place. They can also detect other, less severe causes of chronic bad breath, such as dry mouth, cavities, and oral infections.

Periodontal disease treatment

Gum disease treatment starts with good at-home oral hygiene practices, including brushing twice daily and flossing once daily. In addition, Dr. Fluegge may recommend:

• Antibiotics: clear away harmful bacteria
• Prescription antimicrobial mouth rinse
• Root planing: smooths rough parts on the roots of your teeth
• Scaling and debridement: clean below your gum line
• Flap surgery and bone or tissue grafts: for severe cases involving damaged tissue

Once we’ve addressed your periodontal disease and repaired your tissues, your chronic bad breath should diminish rapidly.

Do you struggle with chronic bad breath? Fluegge Family Dentistry can help. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call the office at 509-888-3384 or book online today.