Saturday, November 15, 2008

Periodontal Disease Could Be A Likely Bad Breath Culprit

By Darren Wumoult

Is it possible that Periodontal Disease (gum disease) can cause halitosis? Firstly, you should identify the causes of bad breath.

What causes bad breath?

There are more that 400 different kinds of bacteria present in the mouth out of which 14 cause bad breath by giving out sulfur smells. Bad breath is aggravated by volatile sulfur compounds, which are caused when proteins are broken down by bacteria. This bacterium is usually anaerobic, and it multiplies at the back of the tongue. This kind of bacteria also has positive effects, because they help in the digestion of proteins.

There is a concentration of bacteria especially on the tongue towards the back and this is one of the causes of bad breath. The anaerobic bacteria feed upon food debris left in the mouth and then release Volatile Sulfur Compounds (VSC) which smell of hydrogen sulfide. These have a bad smell as the odor is like that of rotten eggs.

Periodontal Disease (Gum Disease):

Periodontal disease refers to diseases which are around the tooth, affecting the gums and bones supporting the teeth. The term, gum disease, encompasses gingivitis and periodontitis and causes bacterial infection. It can affect only one tooth or many. Sometimes, bacteria in plaque can cause gums to suffer from inflammation. This may be a harbinger of gum diseases. Another cause would be the usage of tobacco products. Tobacco users are at greater risk of developing gum disease.

A constant sore mouth that includes swollen, red, and/or bleeding gums more than ever when you brush, characterizes gingivitis. There is often times tooth sensitivity and pain, as well as bleeding when you brush. Your gums should look coral pink as opposed to red and if you experience any discomfort in your mouth the best course of action would be to contact your dentist or health care provider.

Now that we know how both gum diseases and bad breath begin, we can now discuss the link between the two. Basically, if you are suffering from gum disease and fail to control it during the early stages, it will progress to the bleeding gum stage, during which an excessive amount of volatile sulfur compounds are released in the mouth, causing the much dreaded bad breath.

Both problems have their genesis in the fact that there is neglect in proper oral hygiene. If you were to take good care of your mouth, brush, floss, and rinse all very well, clean your gums and teeth there is less likelihood of developing bad breath. Anaerobic bacteria thrive on food debris and if that is removed properly and often enough there are reduced chances of developing any kind of mouth or tooth infection as well as increasing the freshness of your breath.

When you eat high protein foods it is all the more important to clean your teeth and mouth well. After you have finished eating there are still microscopic food particles present in the mouth. These get stuck between the teeth and on your tongue and hence cause bad breath problems because these are the same places that the anaerobic bacteria live and multiply. Simply by cleaning your mouth very well after eating, you will hinder the growth of these bacteria.

Apart from yourself following a disciplined approach to mouth cleaning and regular intervals and eating a proper diet, you should also get your teeth professionally cleaned. Also avoid foods which cause an odor in the mouth.

A revolutionary device called the water pick is also helpful in keeping your mouth free of unwanted food particles. This electric or portable gadget works by sending a thin jet of water into your mouth, ejecting any piece of food stuck in between the teeth and rinsing it out at the same time.

You may have tried a number of mouthwashes, but try and buy one which contains cetylpyridinium chloride and zinc chloride. Both these help in getting rid of bad breath. Hydrogen peroxide is another good remedy because it releases oxygen and does not allow the anaerobic bacterial to multiply, thus helping in getting rid of bad breath.

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