Bad Breath? Have You Considered the Risk of Gum Disease?
Dental hygiene is a serious business. But whilst brushing your teeth twice a day is a sure way to keep your mouth healthy and fresh, it’s also important to keep an eye out for one of the more common oral diseases: gingivitis. In this blog, I’ll teach you all about gum disease and how to prevent it.
What is gum disease?
Your mouth is full of bacteria, many of which are totally harmless. But some bacteria can cause problems if they are allowed to build up on your teeth and gums. Plaque is a thick layer of these bacteria that builds up constantly on the surface of your teeth. If you don’t remove the plaque with brushing or flossing, it hardens into tartar. Tartar can’t be removed by brushing, only by professional cleaning at the dentists. The plaque and tartar irritate the gums, causing gingivitis – inflammation of the gums – which leads to bad breath, tooth sensitivity, and bleeding gums when you brush or floss.
If you don’t treat gingivitis, it gets worse over time. The bacteria will eventually damage the bone in your jaw, meaning that
Bad Breath? Have You Considered the Risk of Gum Disease?
A recent survey from the Academy of General Dentistry found that 49% of adults between the ages of 18 and 34 said bad breath was a major reason for them to kiss someone. This was true for only 26% of adults ages 55 to 74.
Even if you aren’t worried about being kissed, having bad breath means something isn’t right in your mouth, and you should do something about it.
For example, did you know that gum disease is linked to heart attacks?
Got Bad Breath? Check Your Gums
Bad breath (or halitosis) can be a sign of poor oral health, which is a risk factor for gum disease. Gum disease can damage your gums and jawbone, leading to tooth loss. And there’s more: research has found that people with gum disease are almost twice as likely to have heart attacks as those who don’t have it.
So what can you do to reduce your risk of getting gum disease? Here are some basic tips:
1. Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
2. Floss or use an interdental cleaner once a day to remove plaque between teeth and under the gumline where your
Bad breath. It’s a problem no one wants to talk about, but everyone has dealt with at least once in their lives. Bad breath can be caused by many things, but did you know that gum disease could be the cause? Gum disease is a serious condition and if left untreated it can lead to more severe oral health problems. Let’s review some of the causes of gum disease and go over some steps you can take to ensure your bad breath isn’t related to gum disease.
What Causes Gum Disease?
Studies show that most Americans suffer from some form of gum disease, whether they realize it or not. Gum disease is caused by plaque, a colorless film that forms on your teeth. If plaque is not removed through daily brushing and flossing, it hardens into tartar which causes gums to become inflamed. This inflammation of your gums is called gingivitis and if left untreated it can lead to periodontitis, or gum disease. Symptoms of periodontitis include red and swollen gums, bleeding during brushing and flossing, pain when chewing, sensitive teeth, and receding gums which may make your teeth appear longer than normal. However, most people do not experience any symptoms before the later stages of gum disease so
If you are like most people, you may not be too concerned about bad breath. Maybe it’s because you assume that everyone has bad breath on occasion; maybe it’s because you don’t know how to get rid of bad breath.
But here’s why you should be concerned about bad breath: It can be a sign of gum disease. Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults and the number one reason people over age 30 lose their teeth.
Gum disease begins with plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on your teeth. If plaque is not removed every day by brushing and flossing, it hardens into tartar (also called calculus). Tartar irritates the gums and causes inflammation called gingivitis. If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis. As periodontitis progresses, the gums and bone supporting your teeth become seriously damaged. Without treatment, your teeth may eventually become loose and need to be removed.
People who suffer from bad breath or halitosis often find it hard to pinpoint the cause of their condition. However, it’s important to consider that a gum disease such as gingivitis could be the culprit.
Gum disease is caused by plaque and bacteria, which form on the teeth when you eat or drink. If they’re not removed by brushing and flossing, they can inflame your gums and cause swelling, pain and bleeding. This is gingivitis, the mildest form of gum disease.
If left untreated, gingivitis will progress into more serious conditions known as periodontitis, which can lead to tooth loss. Fortunately, these diseases are preventable. Here are some tips:
1.Brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes each time with an ADA-approved fluoride toothpaste.
2.Floss at least once per day.
3.Visit your dentist every six months for an oral examination and professional cleaning.
4.Maintain a healthy diet and avoid tobacco use.
The causes of gum disease are numerous, but the most common is harmful bacteria in the mouth. Bacteria have been shown to be a primary cause in up to 90% of the population. This bacteria enters the body through tiny holes in the gums called periodontal pockets. The bacteria in these pockets spread below the gum line and attack the bone and tissue that holds teeth in place.
A common misconception is that brushing hard can help prevent gum disease. However, as you may already know, brushing hard can actually damage your teeth and gums more than it can help them. Brushing harder does not remove plaque or tartar, it just damages your gums more. If you do choose to brush too hard, you may even experience bleeding gums or discomfort when chewing or brushing your teeth or food getting stuck between your teeth.
The best way to prevent gum disease is to floss daily to remove plaque and tartar from between and behind your teeth where a toothbrush cannot reach. Flossing also helps to prevent infection by removing food particles that get stuck between your teeth after eating that could cause bacteria growth.
We recommend using a toothpaste with fluoride which has been proven to strengthen enamel and prevent cavities. Fluoride is vital for healthy teeth
Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is a medical condition that affects millions of people at any given time.
While bad breath is relatively easy to prevent, and it can be treated through various means, many people are unaware of how to treat their bad breath or even what causes it in the first place.
If you’re suffering from bad breath, then you’ve come to the right place. This article will go into detail about what causes bad breath and discuss some of the most common ways to treat it and keep your mouth clean.
Why does my mouth smell?
Whether you’re suffering from bad breath due to a recent illness or poor dental hygiene practices, bad breath is caused by bacteria in your mouth that produce volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs). These bacteria feed on proteins and carbs in your saliva and convert them into VSCs, which are responsible for the foul odors.