How Is Halitosis Treated?
- Jul 6 2023
Halitosis is the medical term for bad breath, and it’s something that many people deal with. While short-term bad breath could just be due to something you ate, consistent bad breath is typically associated with different levels of gum disease. A variety of treatments can be used to deal with gum disease at various stages.
Improving Your Oral Hygiene
The earliest stage of gum disease is gingivitis. If you notice bad breath but don’t experience more severe symptoms such as bleeding, swelling, or red gums, then you’re likely dealing with gingivitis. You need to act quickly to ensure that it doesn’t progress to advanced gum disease, but the good news is that gingivitis is highly treatable.
If you’re concerned about any symptoms, you should visit your dentist. They can evaluate your condition and determine the extent of any gum disease. In cases of gingivitis, they may recommend improving your oral hygiene to stop gum disease progression.
At this early stage, make sure you brush twice a day (for at least two minutes) and floss. Doing so can be enough to stop the progression. Gingivitis is caused by bacteria in your mouth, and proper oral hygiene manages bacteria levels. Poor oral hygiene is the most common cause of gingivitis, so improving your routine can deliver real results.
Scaling and Root Planing
As gum disease progresses, it starts to have more severe effects on your oral health. Your gums will begin to pull away from your teeth, opening pockets that allow bacteria to penetrate deep inside. Inside those pockets, the bacteria are sheltered from brushing and can accelerate gum disease progression.
Scaling and root planing are effective treatment options for many cases of gum disease. Scaling involves special tools to remove plaque, tartar, and bacteria from those pockets. The process is similar to routine teeth cleaning during a regular visit, except the cleaning is deeper.
Root planing then smooths the surface of the teeth exposed by receding gums. This makes it more difficult for bacteria to take hold and for plaque and tartar to develop, reducing the risk of further gum disease.
Antibiotics
Gum disease is caused by bacteria in your mouth. Like other types of bacterial infections, gum disease can show a response to various antibiotics. As gum disease progresses, antibiotics may become necessary to eliminate the infection without moving on to surgical treatment.
Arestin is one example of an antibiotic for gum disease treatment. The antibiotic is deposited into pockets surrounding the tooth, providing a gradual release at the site of the infection. Depending on the extent of your gum disease progression, you may still require additional treatment to restore the affected area.
Periodontal Surgery
Gum disease is also known as periodontal disease, so the range of surgeries used to treat the condition is called periodontal surgery. You may need one or more types of surgery to treat gum disease and restore your gums afterward.
Flap surgery is one type of surgical intervention for gum disease. It involves opening a flap in the gum tissue to clean out bacteria underneath the gums, similar to scaling but even deeper.
Gum disease causes gum recession, so you may be left with an altered gumline after recovering from the condition. Options such as gum grafts can help restore your gum line, providing a proportional and beautiful smile.
Find Gum Disease Treatment as Soon as Possible
If bad breath is the only noticeable symptom you experience, then there’s a good chance that you’re experiencing very early gum disease. You can visit Payam Cohen, D.D.S., P.C., in Queens, NY, for effective interventions to stop its progression. Take a proactive approach to gum disease and schedule your appointment today.
Categories: Periodontal Disease