You probably don’t like to think about it. You may not want to admit that it is a problem.
But it is … for you and for the people around you. You have bad breath. Halitosis is the technical term.
You’ve tried mouthwash. You’ve tried chewing gum and mints. You even tried those breath strips that dissolve on your tongue. These cover your breath for a little while, but eventually the bad breath comes back.
Your bad breath may be a symptom of periodontal disease. If you live in Phoenix or anywhere in Maricopa County, treatment is close.
Dental Implants and Periodontology of Arizona can treat your bad breath and your periodontal disease.
What Causes Bad Breath?
You probably already know that certain foods cause bad breath. The taste of garlic and onions, for example, can linger in your mouth for hours after you’ve eaten them.
Smoking cigarettes and cigars or using other tobacco products also can make a long-term impact on your breath. (Coincidentally, using tobacco products also increases your risk for periodontal disease, also known as gum disease.)
Dry mouth also can affect your breath. Saliva plays an important role in removing bacteria from your mouth. A drier mouth is a better place for bacteria to grow, and bacteria are what cause gum disease.
Those bacteria produce a sulphur compound from the food that you eat. Those bacteria thrive when you do not practice good oral hygiene, too.
How Can Bad Breath Be Treated?
To treat your periodontal disease, we will first identify the source of your problem.
In some cases, your bad breath may be because you are not cleaning your tongue correctly. When you brush your teeth, you should remember to brush your tongue, too.
After all, everything you eat and everything you drink touches your tongue.
If you would like, we can show you how to clean your tongue more effectively. We also can talk to you about foods that may be contributing to your bad breath.
If your bad breath is a symptom of periodontal disease, we need to take a different approach to treat your halitosis.
You will be happy to know that we use non-surgical methods to treat our patients who have periodontal disease.
We use state-of-the-art technology to assess the severity of your gum disease. Perioscopy involves using a miniature camera to look underneath your gumline.
This allows our staff to look at your gums magnified up to 48 times. This helps to identify precisely where your gum tissue has become infected.
This makes your treatment more efficient and less invasive. This also speeds up your recovery compared to surgical treatment options.
What Are Other Signs of Gum Disease?
If your bad breath is caused by gum disease, you will probably have some other symptoms as well.
Some common symptoms of periodontal disease include the following:
How Can Gum Disease And Bad Breath Be Prevented?
Periodontal disease is like many other health problems. Prevention is the best medicine.
And the best way to prevent gum disease is to follow the recommendations of the American Dental Association.
This starts with brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time. You should use a fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush. Remember to scrub your teeth on all sides.
And don’t forget to brush your tongue before you finish.
The next step is to floss or use another interdental device (like a water flosser) every day. Brushing your teeth removes a lot of the bacteria that live inside your mouth, but your toothbrush won’t get between your teeth, and it can’t get between your teeth and gums.
By flossing, you will remove a lot of the bacteria and plaque that may be growing in those harder to reach places.
Last, but not least, you should visit Dental Implants and Periodontology of Arizona for professional cleanings. No matter how well you brush and floss, you will benefit from a cleaning by a dentist or dental hygienist.
During your visit, we will examine your mouth for signs that you may be developing gum disease or other oral health problems. By treating your gum disease early, your treatment is easier on your gums and more effective.
Get Treated Now
You know better than we can describe how bad breath can hurt your personal life. If you have this problem, the staff at Dental Implants and Periodontology of Arizona wants to help.
Call 602-842-6841 or use our online form to schedule an appointment at our dentist office in Phoenix.
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