Island Dental blog

Does Gum Disease Cause Bad Breath?

July 5, 2022

Having bad breath throughout the day can be a cause of dental concern. Your Marco Island dentist knows that bad-smelling breath is a result of bacterial infection of the gums or the teeth. Oral pathology can help deal with that oral health issue.

Man needs to see a Marco island dentist

Bacteria and Bad Breath

Bacteria is the main culprit behind halitosis – the medical term for what we know as foul breath. Let’s look at how this microorganism is responsible for bad breath and gum disease.  

How Bacteria Causes Bad Breath  

Bacteria are very simple organisms. They only eat what they need to reproduce. In the mouth, however, they thrive on food debris that has high sugar content. Unfortunately, their consumption produces a side effect – sulfuric acid.  

The sulfur released by the interaction between the microbes and the carbohydrates in food debris comes with a pungent smell that emanates from the mouth. Aside from sugary foods, spices also leave an undesirable odor that could mix with the sulfuric scent and worsen foul-smelling exhalations.

How Bacteria Causes Gum Disease

Microscopic organisms like bacteria can also cause tooth decay and gum inflammation, of which the acrid smell of halitosis is only a symptom.  

Plaque, a biofilm from the mouth’s sugar-rich food residues, settles either on the teeth or the gap between them and the gums. This film provides an environment where it’s easy for bacteria to thrive and attack the surfaces they’re attached to.  

In teeth, bacteria eat away at the enamel until they cause cavities, or holes in the outer shell. These holes become bigger or even infect other teeth. On the other hand, pathogens can irritate the tissues and cause inflammation when they settle near the gums.  

Worse, the gums can recede and expose the bone structure joining them with the teeth. This can develop into periodontitis, a severe stage of gum disease.

Marco island dentist can help manage bad breath

Avoid Bad Breath by Visiting Your Marco Island Dentist

You can avoid halitosis by following proper oral hygiene and frequently visiting your dentist on Marco Island. Contact us now if you need to set up an appointment.

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