Bad breath (halitosis) can affect your confidence, relationships, and overall quality of life. Many people notice a change in their breath when they have a dry mouth or eat certain foods with strong odors. But when bad breath is a chronic issue, it could be a sign of a more serious medical condition.

Dr. Kevin Boulard and the team at Something To Smile About in Merrimack, NH is committed to helping patients keep their teeth and gums clean and healthy, and avoid halitosis by identifying underlying conditions. Below, we’ll look at some of the causes of bad breath, how to fix it, and when it could be a sign of something more serious.

What causes bad breath?

In order to know how to fix bad breath, it’s necessary to identify the cause. There are many causes of halitosis, including:

• Certain types of foods

• Inadequate oral hygiene

• Dry mouth

• Other lifestyle factors, such as tobacco use

• Underlying diseases, such as bacterial infections

When breath odor becomes a frequent problem, it’s crucial to talk to a dentist in Merrimack, NH about underlying causes. That’s because chronic halitosis can be an early sign of gum disease or gingivitis.

How do you know if bad breath is a sign of gingivitis?

If you are in the early stages of gum disease, you may notice that your bad breath is accompanied by:

• Inflamed or irritated gums

• Pain in the gums

• Bleeding when brushing or flossing

These symptoms occur when plaque builds up on the teeth and begins to eat away at the enamel, causing tooth decay. At Something To Smile About, our team is skilled at identifying the early signs of gingivitis during dental exams and helping patients stop it in its tracks.

Patients who experience symptoms, such as tooth decay, separation of the gums, and pain, while chewing will need more comprehensive care, so it’s equally important to see a dentist in Merrimack, NH to keep halitosis from getting worse.

How is gingivitis treated?

Patients at Something To Smile About can get ahead of gingivitis by scheduling a deep cleaning treatment to address plaque buildup. This deep cleaning is also referred to as scaling and can help remove the bacteria that can cause bad breath, tooth decay, and gum disease.

In addition to scaling, when gingivitis is severe, our team may employ a technique called root planing to smooth the teeth and prevent future plaque buildup. Antibiotics may also be used to treat bacterial problems causing bad breath and gum disease.

Why it’s important to treat bad breath and gingivitis early

Patients may require several treatments if gum disease is severe enough, and good oral hygiene at home will be important as well.

When gingivitis is left untreated or regular cleanings aren’t enough to reduce the symptoms of gum disease, oral pain and discomfort will only get worse, causing both gums and teeth to suffer.

While gums and teeth can be sore for roughly a day after treatment, it’s essential to maintain an oral hygiene routine that includes brushing, flossing, and mouthwash. The payoff is improving your smile as well as your breath.

Halitosis and gingivitis treatment in Merrimack, NH

At Something To Smile About, our dentists in Merrimack, NH are eager to help patients identify gum disease early and can advise patients about how to fix bad breath before it causes more serious dental disease.

If you’re suffering from halitosis or any other signs of gum disease, schedule a consultation with Dr. Kevin Boulard today for a dental exam.