Bad Breath
Occasional bad breath after eating a spicy meal is normal and can generally be combated with a simple solution like eating breath mints or brushing your teeth. But if your bad breath is constant (halitosis) and accompanied by gums that bleed easily, a bad taste in your mouth, sensitive or loose teeth, and gum recession, you most likely have gum disease. This condition develops when plaque on the teeth from food debris is left to harden into tartar.
The bacteria released causes the gum tissues to become infected and inflamed, and eventually pull away from the teeth. Your chronic bad breath is a result of these bacteria breaking down proteins that release volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) into your breath.
We can treat your bad breath by undergoing customized gum disease treatment to eliminate bacteria and infection and restore proper health to your mouth.
Is Gum Disease Treatment Necessary?
Unfortunately, there is no quick and simple solution to combat halitosis. This is because gum disease is a dangerous progressive condition that will continue to worsen without interventional procedures. Though it may be a cause of concern and embarrassment in the short term, it may become the least of your worries as the infection begins to degrade your gum tissue and bone. Eventually, untreated gum disease will result in tooth loss, compromise your immune system, and aggravate existing medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease. Advanced cases of gum disease have even been linked to heart attack and stroke!
Selective Treatments for Gum Disease
Many treatments exist that eradicate bacteria and infection from your mouth and resolve halitosis. You may need one or more of these procedures combined to effectively treat your gum disease, which may also include antimicrobial medications and oral antibiotics to control bacteria. Common gum disease treatments we may suggest include:
Scaling and Root Planing
The first line of defense against gum disease is non-surgical scaling and root planing. During this procedure, plaque and tartar are removed from your teeth at and below the gum line (dental scaling) to eliminate bacteria from accumulating in the periodontal pockets. Next, the rough surfaces of the teeth are smoothed (root planing) to keep out bacteria and encourage healthy reattachment of the gums.
Osseous (Flap) Surgery
More advanced stages of gum disease that have damaged gum tissue and bone require surgical intervention. Osseous surgery involves folding back the gum tissues to gain access to the periodontal pockets and tooth roots. These areas are thoroughly cleaned of plaque and tartar, and then disinfected. The damaged bone is smoothed and reshaped, and diseased gum tissue is trimmed away. The healthy gums are then sutured back around the teeth to reduce periodontal pocket depth.
Periodontal Maintenance
After gum disease treatment, periodontal maintenance is required every 3-4 months to ensure the infection does not return. These appointments consist of deep cleaning of the tooth surfaces and the periodontal pockets to remove bacteria and tartar buildup. The gums are then evaluated for signs of bleeding and infection and pocket depth is measured to ensure all oral structures are healthy.
Gingivectomy
In cases of advanced gum disease or deep pockets not reached by scaling and root planing, a gingivectomy removes excess gum tissue to eliminate bacterial pockets and enhance oral hygiene. This procedure improves the smile’s aesthetics by reshaping the gumline. Discomfort and swelling post-surgery can be managed with pain medication and proper care, following post-operative instructions is crucial for optimal healing. Gingivectomy often accompanies other periodontal treatments like scaling and root planing for comprehensive gum disease management. Regular periodontal maintenance appointments post-procedure are vital to prevent recurrence and maintain results.