Healthy gums and unoffensive breath odor have a close connection. Bad breath is a classic sign of gingivitis, a formative stage of gum disease that can progress if left untreated. Before gingivitis come the bacteria that cause unpleasant breath odor. Practicing good oral hygiene and receiving regular dental cleanings not only help prevent gingivitis that causes bad breath, says MayoClinic.Com; it also reduces your risk for tooth decay and tooth loss.
Bacteria and Plaque
Whenever you eat, the starches and sugars in your diet quickly attract your mouth's bacteria. When you don't brush your teeth right away, a sticky film of plaque forms on your teeth and inside of your mouth, according to MayoClinic.Com. When plaque stays on your teeth for more than a few days, it calcifies underneath your gums and turns into tartar–yet another reserve on which bacteria can feast. As bacteria break down food particles in your mouth, this process creates bad breath odor.
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Other Gingivitis Symptoms
When plaque and tartar stay in your mouth for a long time, they begin to irritate your gums, causing gingivitis. Bad breath isn't the only symptom of gingivitis, according to MayoClinic.Com. You may also notice that your gums are redder and appear swollen. They may also bleed easily whenever you brush your teeth or use dental floss.
Bad Breath
Problematic with bad breath is that you may not even know you have it, says the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, because your olfactory senses become accustomed to the smell. Your only tip-offs may be when other people react by stepping away, keeping their distance or making a face. The American Dental Association (ADA) says mouthwash and other breath fresheners only mask the smell of bad breath. To resolve bad breath associated with gingivitis, it's necessary to get your gums back in tip-top shape.
Resolving Gingivitis
The conventional dental treatment for gingivitis is a procedure called scaling, which is used to remove the plaque and tartar from your teeth and gums, according to MayoClinic.Com. Your dentist may also recommend use of special products, such as an antiseptic mouthwash to reduce the bacteria in your mouth. If crooked teeth, badly-fitting crowns and other restorative dental work contributes to gingivitis, these problems may also be remedied as well. Nipping gingivitis in the bud is a necessary step to prevent an advanced form of gum disease called periodontitis, says the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Receding gums, infection and the disintegration of the bones, gums and tissues that hold your teeth in place ultimately occur when gingivitis goes untreated.
Good Oral Hygiene
Gingivitis and bad breath usually go away after your dentist cleans your teeth thoroughly, according to MayoClinic.Com. However, to keep your gums healthy and pink and your breath smelling fresh, practice good oral hygiene. The ADA recommends brushing your teeth twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste–don't neglect to brush your tongue. Floss at least once a day to remove debris that collects between your teeth, or use an interdental cleaner. When selecting your oral hygiene tools, the ADA advises you to look for toothpaste, mouthwash and toothbrushes that carry the ADA's Seal of Acceptance.
