Health and Medicine
Bad Breath and Gingivitis
D
5
The
Anesthesiologist Assistant
Profession
dentist and hygienist mentioned that I
had irritated gums as they cleaned
my teeth. This is a symptom of
gingivitis.
major problems in the mouth and
gum line. It can lead to periodontal
disease, which is a much more serious problem with
the potential for actual bone loss.
both are caused by bacteria. Red, swollen and/or bleeding gums characterize gingivitis. These symptoms are most evident upon flossing and sometimes from brushing.
the hygienist quietly wiped away with a towel. It
was embarrassing enough to know that I wasn't
controlling my gingivitis problem, but to know that
she was actually trying not to make a big deal
out of it was troubling.
The Problem
Bacteria can stick to your teeth and secrete acid
onto them contributing to cavity formation. They can also infect the gums, particularly around the gum line, causing gingivitis. This can manifest initially as bleeding and irritated gums.
Having a lot of uncontrolled bacteria multiplying in the mouth may also lead to bad breath, but there is a natural and normal amount of bacteria in the mouth, and you will never completely get rid of them all, nor would you want to.
Had you ever heard of under-the-gum cleanings? This could be part of the protocol your dentist might invoke, should you develop periodontal disease. If you know people that have had an under-the-gum cleaning; they may tell you that it is not very pleasant.
I'm currently using a special toothbrush that uses vibration to clean the teeth. This device does a better job than a regular toothbrush in keeping my teeth clean. It does take a little while to get used to because of the vibration. It makes many, many vibrations per second. This helps to give it such wonderful cleaning abilities.
still have bad breath. This is common and many people
experience this same situation. Oral health products that don't contain sodium lauryl sulfates or artificial flavors that can still kill the bacteria that cause bad breath without using harsh alcohol or tough chemicals may be helpful.
I am not a dentist. This article is for information purposes only. This article is not meant for diagnosis, treatment or prevention nor is it meant to give advice. If you have or suspect you have gingivitis, periodontal disease or any other dental problems, visit your dentist for a consultation.
David Snape is a health, fitness and well-being enthusiast. He maintains a site: http://tobeinformed.com on the same theme.
david@tobeinformed.com
