Gum Disease and Bad Breath
- Do your gums bleed when you brush?
- Does a bad smell emanate from you mouth, maybe even only in the morning?
As many as 40% of adults worldwide may be suffering from Periodontitis or Gum Disease. But what exactly is gum disease?
If plaque is left on the teeth (through inadequate flossing and brushing), the gums become inflamed and may bleed when you brush. This early stage of gum disease is called Gingivitis and is completely reversible if treated early by our Hygienist.
If gum disease is not treated, the gums may swell, detaching from the tooth. This detached area is called a pocket. Bacteria quickly fill the pocket and further detach the gum, deepening the pocket. At this stage the gingivitis has progressed to the more serious form of gum disease, Periodontitis, in which the jaw bone around teeth is dissolved causing teeth to ultimately loosen and fall out.
Unfortunately, periodontitis is generally a painless, slowly progressing condition which means if you only attend your dentist when in pain the condition is often caught too late and you will lose some or all of your teeth. The only symptoms are normally bleeding gums and/or bad breath. The earlier the problems are found, the more effective the treatment will be.
Also if the condition remains untreated for a long time it can lead to many general health problems. Some of these could include:
- Heart Attacks/Strokes - some recent studies have shown a link between gum disease and narrowing of the arteries (a process known as atherosclerosis), which can lead to heart attacks and strokes.
- Premature Births and Miscarriages - again recent studies have demonstrated a link between periodontitis and the above events.
Visit our Hygienist Today!
Bad Breath
A very common problem! But why does it occur?
Bad Breath, or Halitosis as it's known to dentists, can be a very socially debilitating condition. Unfortunately close friends and family find it hard to mention to the sufferer. That's why we're here!
Halitosis is caused by several issues. Bad Oral Hygiene and Gum Disease are the most common reasons and our Hygienist can help you with this!
Other causes may be:
- Dry Mouth (Xerostomia) is a condition that affects the flow of saliva. This causes bacteria to build up in the mouth and this leads to bad breath. Dry mouth may be caused by some medicines, salivary gland problems or by continually breathing through the mouth instead of the nose. Older people may produce less saliva, causing further problems. We can recommend many techniques and products to help.
- Other Medical Conditions that cause bad breath include Infections in the throat, nose or lungs; sinusitis; bronchitis; diabetes; or liver or kidney problems. If your dentist finds that your mouth is healthy, you may be referred to your family GP or a specialist to find out the cause of your bad breath.
- Diet; We all know garlic will give us bad breath but many other foods, drinks and things like Tobacco which we ingest can cause bad breath. Good oral hygiene and diet advice from your hygienist can minimise the effect of your diet on your breath.
