Halitosis and Gum Disease: How They're Connected

Bad breath is more commonly known as halitosis. While it can be a temporary problem for some, it can often be a sign of a more problematic underlying cause: gum disease. Bleeding or inflamed gums, in addition to bad breath, could be a sign that you need to make an appointment with your dentist.

There is research that has linked the most severe form of gum disease, periodontitis, with halitosis. However, don't despair at the signs of bad breath and don't be too embarrassed to seek help.

Read on to learn more about what is going on in your mouth, the risks of gum disease, and when to seek help from your dentist in Sunny Isles, FL.

Bad Breath Causes: What Is Halitosis?

Most people associate the term halitosis with bad breath, but there is more to it than that. Occasional bad breath can happen after eating certain foods, like garlic.

In contrast, halitosis is an odour in the mouth that's persistent, and it won't go away with chewing gum, brushing your teeth, or swishing mouthwash. Halitosis is an odour that happens due to bacteria in the mouth.

These bacteria build up around the gumline, creating an unpleasant smell. It can be caused by poor oral hygiene, underlying dental issues, or other health issues.

Halitosis can signify deeper issues in the mouth, including gum disease, which is why it's something that should be addressed with a dentist, rather than attempting to solve the problem by masking the smell.

How Gum Disease Can Cause Halitosis

Gum disease offers the perfect environment for bacteria, and that's when halitosis can become a problem.

Gum disease leads to an inflamed gumline, and as the disease progresses, it can create a pocket, or gap, between the teeth and the gums. These gaps are hard to reach, even with good dental hygiene, as they are often not touched by normal brushing routines, and mouthwash won't remove the debris.

Only professional cleaning can reach these areas and begin to remove the bacteria and old food. It's in this space between the gums and teeth that bacteria and food debris can become trapped and deprived of oxygen.

This allows bacteria to multiply and produce the sulfur compounds most strongly associated with bad breath. The more this continues, without professional cleaning, the worse the gum disease becomes, creating a persistent halitosis problem.

Plaque and Tartar

Between the gumline and the teeth, you'll find plaque. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that forms after eating, and it's often hard to remove with a normal brushing routine.

After some time, this plaque begins to harden, making it even more difficult to remove. This hard substance is known as tartar. Plaque and tartarare the culprits when it comes to mouth bacteria.

Bacteria can cling to the surfaces of both these substances, and the only way to remove them is via a professional dental cleaning that removes this buildup. So the more plaque and tartar around your gumline, the more at risk you are of gum problems and halitosis.

Gum Disease Symptoms

If you have bleeding gums, treat this as a warning sign that you might be dealing with both halitosis and gum disease.

Never ignore the symptoms. Healthy gums shouldn't bleed, even when brushing or flossing. It only happens if the gums are already inflamed, which is when they are more prone to capturing and trapping bacteria.

When a person has gum disease, bacteria can enter the bloodstream through bleeding gums and further inflame the body, contributing to halitosis. Bleeding is more likely if you have plaque and tartar buildup. The best way to avoid this is with regular dental checks and professional cleaning, which can help you avoid halitosis.

Bacteria, Sulfur Compounds, and Mouthwash

It's useful to understand how bad breath begins, and why everyday treatments like mouthwash won't stop it from happening if you have underlying problems. Mouthwash can only kill bacteria on the surface, not those trapped in small pockets between the gums and teeth.

Halitosis comes from bacteria that thrive in areas of the mouth that lack oxygen. This bacterium releases a sulfur gas, which creates a smell that many people find strong and unpleasant.

Some people describe it as a smell of decay or rotten eggs. However, mouthwashes can offer short-term therapy between dental visits to help reduce surface-level bacteria. You should opt for a Chlorhexidine mouthwash.

Halitosis and Dry Mouth

If you suffer from a dry mouth, this could put you at higher risk of gum disease and halitosis. Saliva is one of the ways our body breaks down bacteria in the mouth. If you lack saliva due to a condition called dry mouth, it reduces the effectiveness of these natural processes.

Dry mouth conditions can be caused by a number of factors, including:

• Medical conditions
• Side effects of medication
• Dehydration

It's important to be extra mindful of dental hygiene if you suffer from a dry mouth condition. Brush, floss, and attend all your dental appointments, including professional cleaning. In addition, try to increase your water intake if you often feel dehydrated.

Gum Disease: Gingivitis Vs. Periodontitis

Sometimes you'll see gum disease described as gingivitis. This is the term for gums that are inflamed, bleeding, and swollen.

Gingivitis is relatively mild, and it's reversible. If you have the symptoms of gingivitis and halitosis, you can reach out to your dentist for professional cleaning to help remove bacteria and heal your inflamed gums.

However, untreated gingivitis can progress to a more serious condition called periodontitis. This is more problematic because at this point, the gum begins to pull away from the teeth.

When that happens, more of the tooth is exposed to bacteria, and some people can start to see bone loss around the gums. This makes it easier for bacteria to get trapped. It's important to speak to your dentist and allow them to examine you for signs of both types of gum disease.

Why Brushing Won't Prevent Halitosis

There are lots of toothbrushes and toothpastes on the market nowadays that promise to treat many dental conditions. So it's tempting to believe that signs of gum disease and halitosis can be fixed with a better brushing routine.

While brushing your teeth is crucial, this routine alone won't fix halitosis. Even the best toothbrushes on the market can't reach bacteria that's locked deep within the gumline.

However, flossing and interdental brushes can help in some areas between the teeth, so it's worth adding that to your routine if you want to improve your dental hygiene. But don't use it as a replacement for visiting your dentist.

FAQ

What Does Halitosis Smell Like?

It can be worrying to contemplate bad breath, and what often worries people is that they won't notice it themselves, but others will. Halitosis odours can actually vary depending on the underlying cause.

The most common smell is a rotten egg, or sulfur smell, that's strong and distinctive. However, others describe the smell as rather metallic.

Since it's very hard to detect bad breath on yourself, and even close friends may be too embarrassed to mention it to you, a dental visit is the best option to check whether or not you are dealing with this issue. They'll assess your oral health and check for plaque, tartar, and any signs of gum disease.

Does Halitosis Ever Go Away?

The good news is that in some cases, halitosis can go away on its own, but it depends on the underlying cause. If halitosis is the result of a period of dehydration or eating certain foods, good oral hygiene may be enough to tackle the problem.

However, if there is any sign of gum disease, even in its early stages, the problem is likely to get worse, not better. Gum disease requires proper diagnosis and treatment, so if you are concerned about bad breath or bleeding gums, speak to your dentist so they can do a thorough examination and suggest treatment.

When Should You See a Dentist About Ongoing Bad Breath?

If you suspect you have bad breath and that you've had it for longer than two weeks, it's time to make an appointment with your dentist. While waiting for that appointment, review your daily care, floss, and buy a good quality Chlorhexidine mouthwash.

Check for early signs of gum disease, too.

When you floss or use an interdental brush, check for spots of blood. Notice if your gums feel unusually sore or inflamed. Most importantly, mention this to your dentist so that they can carry out a thorough examination.

Halitosis and Gum Disease: Seeking Help

If you are worried about halitosis, don't delay treatment. Speak to your dentist about your concerns and check for early signs of gum disease. Early treatment of gum disease can stop it from progressing to irreversible periodontitis. 

Smile Creators offers a relaxed, friendly dental clinic in Sunny Isles, FL, perfect for those who feel embarrassed by dental conditions or anxious about dental visits. We also specialize in halitosis. Book a consultation with our team today, and let's help get you smiling again.