Everyone has bad breath now and then. Maybe you enjoyed lunch that included extra garlic, or perhaps you forgot your water bottle and your mouth is dry. But if you have bad breath often and for no obvious reason, it could be an indication that you have periodontal disease. 

At Arya Dental, Dr. Saeed Mokharyeri and Dr. Hengameh Safarcherati, along with their outstanding team, help our patients understand the dangers of periodontal disease, or gum disease, which is the No. 1 cause of tooth loss. 

One of the early symptoms of this very common condition is chronic bad breath. At the early stage, deep cleaning is an excellent first step to halting the damage from gum disease. 

Getting rid of the source

Your mouth is filled with bacterial microbes. Most of them cause no problems at all, and some of them are important for digestion, which begins in your mouth. But some bacteria are bad and can cause serious problems.

Brushing and flossing are crucial for good oral health, but even the best at-home hygiene routine isn’t enough. Plaque builds up, then hardens into tartar. The harmful bacteria feed on the plaque and tartar, especially along your gumline. 

The result is periodontal disease. The only solution is professional cleaning to remove the plaque and tartar. 

Without regular professional cleanings, the tartar begins to act like splinters along your gums, causing irritation. Your gums may become puffy, tender, or red. 

The bad breath connection

Along with tender gums, you may also have persistent bad breath. The bad smell indicates an infection, which is often the result of those bacteria breaching your gumline. In addition to bad breath, you might notice a sour taste, even after brushing. 

Other symptoms that could occur include:

• Bleeding gums when you brush and floss
• Discomfort or pain when you chew
• Sensitivity to hot or cold
• Receding gums that make your teeth look longer
• Loose teeth

When you have both chronic bad breath and these symptoms, there’s a strong possibility that you have periodontal disease.

Progression

If you don’t get treatment, and the bacteria continue to thrive in the pockets between your teeth and gums, no amount of brushing can help. Your gums, teeth, and eventually even your jawbone can become infected. 

At this stage, you’re in danger of losing your teeth. If the infection enters your bloodstream, you may have even bigger problems. 

Treating gum disease

If you have periodontal disease, you can do something about it, well before you begin to lose teeth. And if protecting your teeth isn’t good enough, treatment also can eliminate your chronic bad breath. 

Schedule an appointment with us at Arya Dental in Fullerton, California, today. We want to help you enjoy the best possible oral health.