Whether it spoils a first impression or kicks a kiss to the curb, when bad breath strikes and strikes hard, it can completely derail your day. Having bad breath around a client, a friend, or even a loved one is embarrassing no matter the situation, but did you know severely bad breath is linked to even greater health issues? Periodontal disease refers to disease around the teeth. It affects millions of Americans, so keep reading to see if your bad breath is simply bad, or a more serious problem.
Gingivitis
Are you seeing red? If your gums appear red or slightly swollen and bleed when you brush or floss, you may have gingivitis. While bleeding gums due to hard brushing may be considered normal, it should actually be considered a warning sign. Gingivitis is initially caused by plaque, the soft, sticky, colorless film of bacteria that forms on teeth and gums. Plaque is constantly forming. Without daily brushing and flossing, it will produce toxins that can irritate gum tissue and cause gingivitis.
Bad Breath
If you’re a dedicated tooth brusher and flosser and you still have bad breath, it may be time to see your dentist. The bacteria that cause periodontal disease live below the gumline and produce a volatile sulfur compound. This compound is the common culprit of bad breath. So if you’re consistently suffering from smelly breath and your oral hygiene routine isn’t at fault, be sure to seek your dentist’s opinion.
Drifting Teeth
If your teeth can’t keep it together, it may be a bad sign. As periodontal disease progresses, the gum tissues will recede and expose root surfaces which can cause tooth sensitivity to temperature and pressure change. Gum tissues, while normally tightly attached to teeth, may start to loosen. This can cause pocket formation, which can be detected by a general dentist during periodontal probing. Supporting bone loss, abscess formation, and discharge from the gum tissues can also be a sign, but ultimately the loosening and drifting of teeth will be a clear symptom as bone is lost in more advanced degrees of the disease.
Gum disease can be painless, so it’s important to be conscious and aware of any of the above symptoms. If you’re concerned you or a loved one may be at risk for periodontal disease, please contact us today to set up an appointment.