Does Bad Breath Really Mean Gum Disease?

Most people experience bad breath when they first wake up in the morning, or after eating a meal with garlic and/or onions in it. Yet, for some people, bad breath is the product of more than just an abundance of oral bacteria or the presence of pungent foods – sometimes, it can also indicate gum disease. At our Encinitas/San Diego periodontal office, we advise seeking treatment as soon as possible if you notice that your bad breath doesn’t go away. If your bad breath does indicate gum disease, then early treatment could be your best bet at saving your smile.

The connection between gums and breath

Given the fact that your gums are in your mouth, it makes sense that they can affect your breath. However, exactly how they do so isn’t always as obvious. Gum disease forms when oral bacteria overwhelm your gums, and their presence alone can sometimes lead to bad breath. When gums become diseased, the diseased tissues can also contribute to chronic bad breath, which will grow worse the more severe your gum disease becomes. Having chronic bad breath could mean that you have gum disease, or that you’re at an increased risk of developing it soon.

What else could indicate gum disease?

Aside from chronic bad breath, gum disease can also lead to a host of other warning symptoms. For example, when your gums are diseased, they can bleed when you brush and floss your teeth, and become red and angry looking throughout the rest of the day. You might notice that your gums are receding from your teeth, making your teeth seem longer and your gums seem uneven. If you don’t seek treatment soon, then these symptoms will grow more prominent, and you may begin to notice your teeth become loose.

What to do about your bad breath

If your chronic bad breath means that you have gum disease, then the only way to cure it will be to control the disease. Your periodontist will carefully examine your teeth, gums, and oral tissues to determine the extent of the disease, and then design an appropriate treatment plan to help you manage it. With proper care and maintenance, your bad breath will go away and your gum disease will no longer be such a threat to your oral health.

Learn if bad breath means you have gum disease

Chronic, unyielding bad breath, also known as halitosis, is one of several warnings that you may be in the grips of gum disease. For more information, schedule a consultation with Dr. Kania by calling her periodontal office in Encinitas/San Diego, CA, at (760) 642-0711.