How Gum Disease Contributes to Bad Breath: Causes and Solutions

Bad breath (halitosis) is often attributed to habits like smoking or eating strong-smelling foods, but one common cause that tends to be overlooked is gum disease. This article explains what gum disease is, how it can contribute to bad breath, and what steps can be taken to improve both.  

What is gum disease?

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a bacterial infection of the gums and other tissues that hold the teeth in place. According to the South African Dental Association (SADA), it is one of the most common dental diseases in the world. 

The main cause of gum disease is poor oral hygiene; without good hygiene habits, a substance called plaque accumulates on the teeth and around the gums. The bacteria within that plaque are then able to multiply.

In the early stages, gum disease affects only the gum tissue itself. As the bacteria accumulate around the gums, they cause inflammation, irritation, redness, and sometimes bleeding. This is referred to as gingivitis.

If gingivitis is left untreated, the infection can spread below the gums. The inflammation caused by the bacteria damages the connective tissue and bone that anchors the teeth in place. Eventually the teeth will start to loosen and may fall out. This is referred to as periodontitis.

The connection between gum disease and bad breath

Gum disease can lead to bad breath in several ways. First, the bacteria that cause gum disease release foul-smelling chemical compounds. As gum disease advances and the bacteria continue to multiply, the odour can become stronger. 

Second, as gingivitis develops into periodontitis, the gum tissue starts to recede (pull away) from the teeth. As this happens, pockets form under the gum line between the gum and the root surface of the tooth. Bacteria and food debris get trapped in these pockets, where regular brushing and flossing cannot reach them, and they start to produce an unpleasant smell as they decay.

Is gum disease causing your bad breath?

Gum disease can ultimately lead to discomfort, pain and tooth loss. It is also connected to serious health conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease. For those reasons, seeking prompt treatment for suspected gum disease is essential.

According to SADA, the following are some common gum disease signs and symptoms to look out for: 

• Red, swollen and tender gums. 
• Soreness and bleeding when brushing the teeth. 
• Gums that appear to be pulling or shrinking away from the teeth. 
• Persistent bad breath. 
• A metallic taste in the mouth. 
• Loose or shifting teeth. 
• Pus or other discharge from the gums. 
• A change in how the teeth fit together when biting. 
• A change in how dentures fit. 

Preventing gum disease and bad breath

A thorough daily oral hygiene routine is the most effective way to prevent gum disease and halitosis. It is recommended to brush the teeth twice a day, for two minutes each time, with a fluoride toothpaste, and clean in between the teeth with dental floss or another interdental cleaner.

For extra protection against gum disease, choose oral care products specially formulated for gum health, like meridol® Toothpaste. This clinically proven toothpaste is made with a dual-active formula of amine fluoride and stannous fluoride. Together, these ingredients help to neutralise existing plaque and prevent new plaque from forming. Not only does this help to tackle gum problems and bad breath, it also protects against other oral health problems like cavities.

The following advice can also help to keep gums healthy and keep bad breath at bay:

• Avoid smoking or using tobacco. 
• Keep sugary foods and drinks to a minimum, especially sticky foods that cling to the teeth. Sugar feeds the bacteria that contribute to gum disease and bad breath.
• Seek medical or dental advice for symptoms of dry mouth. Saliva plays many important roles in oral health and hygiene, but certain medicines and health conditions can dry out the mouth.

What to do if you have gum disease

Signs of gum disease should be professionally assessed by a dentist as soon as possible. If gingivitis is diagnosed, the same preventative tips above will likely be recommended: improving oral hygiene, cutting down sugar, and avoiding tobacco. The dentist may also perform a dental cleaning to get rid of plaque accumulation, and may offer an antibacterial mouthwash to reduce bacteria. 

For more advanced gum disease, treatment may be necessary to restore gum health and freshen the breath. A dentist may perform a procedure called scaling and root planing, which involves deep-cleaning the root surfaces of the teeth below the gum line. This treatment clears odour-causing food debris and bacteria from the periodontal pockets and helps the teeth to reattach to your gums. In severe cases, periodontal surgery and tooth extractions may be needed. 

Prompt diagnosis is key

The benefits of healthy gums go far beyond fresh breath. So if gum disease is suspected, seek advice from a dental professional and consider a gum health toothpaste like meridol® Toothpaste. Gingivitis is easily treatable and the effects can be reversed, but this is not the case for damage caused by periodontal disease. The earlier gum disease is diagnosed, the easier it will be to restore gum health and resolve associated problems like bad breath.