Say Goodbye to “Perio” Breath

Persistent bad breath may indicate that you have periodontal (gum) disease, a potentially serious oral infection.

Even with regular brushing and flossing at home, periodontal odors or “perio breath” can occur.  This is a result of bacteria that gets trapped under the gumline and hardens. Regular professional cleanings address the conditions that contribute to bad breath and protect your natural teeth.

At Pennsylvania Center for Dental Implants and Periodontics, we’re here to help! If your perio breath is related to early-stage gum disease (gingivitis), we can reverse the disease with deeper periodontal cleanings that remove bacteria below the gumline.

If your gum disease has already progressed to a later stage, we’ll help you manage the disease with today’s best modalities, such as LANAP laser gum surgery, antibiotic therapies and other regenerative treatments.

The Mouth-Body Connection

As upsetting as bad breath from gum disease might be, it’s not the only complication of this oral health condition.

The mouth is considered the gateway to the body. Your oral health is linked to a seemingly ever-growing list of serious systemic issues in the body like diabetes, dementia, respiratory, kidney and heart diseases, low birth weights, rheumatoid arthritis and more. Inflammation from the infection is thought to be the culprit.

Dental and medical professionals often look at bad breath as a sign something wrong is going on in your body. In the case of gum disease, starches and sugars from food and drink that aren’t removed by normal home maintenance can cause plaque buildup which will harden under the gumline. Only a dental professional can remove it.

If early-stage gum disease (gingivitis) isn’t addressed, it can cause deeper “pockets” to form between your gums and teeth, eventually leading to a loss of bone and gum tissue that support your teeth.

We can normally conquer bad breath related to gingivitis, as well as other symptoms you may have like sensitive gums that seem to bleed when brushing or flossing. With professional cleaning, you can bounce back from gingivitis to better health. However, once gum disease progresses to moderate-to-severe stages, it can’t be reversed. We’ll do our best to help you manage the disease to avoid further issues.

Addressing Perio Breath and Gum Disease

Occasional bad breath is common. We’ve all eaten dishes heavy on garlic, onions or cabbage and faced the consequences. Over-the-counter mints, mouth rinses and tongue scrapers can temporarily help mask bad breath but don’t solve the issue. Professional intervention helps you maintain the important support your teeth need to stay strong.

Other Causes of Bad Breath

Bad breath that’s not just related to what you ate for dinner and isn’t linked to gum disease could be caused by certain medications that can dry out your mouth. Smoking not only causes bad breath but can increase your risk for periodontal disease, delay healing and stain your teeth. If we see your bad breath isn’t related to your teeth and gums or other easily defined origins, we’ll probably suggest you see a medical professional since bad breath can also indicate you might be facing other health conditions including:

• Acid reflux/GERD
• Post-nasal drip and sinus issues
• Sinus and throat/respiratory infections
• Kidney or liver disease

Is Perio Breath Contagious?

While perio breath or even gum disease isn’t thought to be directly contagious, you can transmit the harmful bacteria of gum disease through saliva-to-saliva contact. Some research therefore suggests avoiding direct saliva contact with individuals with gum disease and avoiding the sharing of utensils. Suggesting that this individual sees a periodontist can help not only that person, but assist the entire family in staying healthier.

How to Take Care of Your Gums

Good oral hygiene at home (twice daily brushing and once daily flossing) along with regular dental checkups and cleanings are often enough to prevent gum disease or to fight early-stage gingivitis. If gum disease has already advanced, it is not curable. But we offer an arsenal of surgical and non-surgical treatments and therapies to slow the destruction and help you manage your long-term oral and systemic health.

Browse our website to learn more about gum disease. Then set up a consultation at one of our two locations and start the conversation today. Referrals are always welcomed but not necessary. We’d love to help you on your path towards better health—and breath!

“I’ve been coming here for years —the staff and doctors…make sure you are comfortable and listen to your concerns.” – Nancy A. on Birdeye