What Your Bad Breath May Really Mean
December 20, 2016
If your breath is always a little less than fresh, your body may be trying to tell you something. Bad breath, or halitosis, is often directly caused by the bacteria that call your mouth home. In order to reclaim your oral health and sweeten your breath, you first need to address the underlying issue.
The True Cause
The bacteria that live on your tongue and teeth are considered a primary source of the odors associated with halitosis. As these bacteria live and multiply, a byproduct of their presence is the release of gasses that humans find particularly unsavory. Unfortunately, these bacteria are often present as a result of untreated gum disease. This serious infection can become worse over time, which may cause an increase in halitosis-related symptoms.
A Serious Problem
While it may seem at face value that halitosis is nothing to be greatly bothered with, the exact opposite is true. Gum disease has been scientifically associated with serious systemic medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, stroke and cancer. If you leave your bad breath untreated, you may be ignoring many other potentially dangerous issues as well.
Treatment
Overcoming halitosis associated with gum disease requires attacking and removing the bacteria that are causing the problem. There are many treatments available that can help reduce the presence of negative bacteria in the mouth, such as scaling and root planing, antibiotics and mouth rinses. With treatment and continuing to maintain your oral health, your bad breath may become a thing of the past.
Put the Issue to Rest
If halitosis is a consistent problem in your life, contact us to schedule an appointment. The NOVA Perio Specialists will create an individualized plan to help you reclaim your oral health.