Beyond the Onion: Medical Causes for Bad Breath

Quick Summary

Bad breath can signal underlying medical conditions beyond diet, including gum disease, sinus infections, diabetes, acid reflux, and liver or kidney problems. Your dentist or periodontist can help identify whether your bad breath stems from oral health issues or if you need to see a physician for a systemic condition.

Key Takeaways

• You should schedule a dental exam if you have persistent bad breath, as gum disease and bacterial buildup are common causes that require professional treatment.
• You can ask your dentist to evaluate whether your bad breath is related to oral health or if it may be connected to a medical condition like diabetes or acid reflux.
• You should mention any other symptoms you experience, such as dry mouth, sinus congestion, or digestive issues, as these can help pinpoint the cause of your bad breath.
• You may need to see your physician if your dentist rules out oral causes, since bad breath can be linked to respiratory, digestive, or metabolic conditions.

Many patients believe that, by avoiding bad breath-causing foods and undergoing regular dental cleanings, they can avoid the horrors of halitosis. While diet and dental hygiene are essential to good oral health, people with chronic bad breath may require more specialized treatment to combat their condition. If bad breath persists in ruining your day, you may want to consider visiting a periodontist like Dr. Alexandre Aalam or Dr. Alina Krivitsky to get to the root of your halitosis problem.

Why See a Periodontist for Bad Breath

Periodontists are dentists who have undergone specialized training regarding the gums and other dental structures. While you probably know that a periodontist can place your dental implants and examine your gums for signs of periodontal disease, you may not be aware that periodontists also treat conditions like halitosis.

Long associated with gum disease, chronic bad breath can require more than just a good tooth brush or pack of spearmint gum to eradicate. If dietary changes, good home hygiene and dental cleanings are not alleviating your halitosis, then it’s possible the bad taste in your mouth stems from gum disease or a bacterial infection. People with persistent bad breath should consider visiting the Center for Advanced Periodontal & Implant Therapy to undergo a periodontal evaluation and learn about options for treating their condition.

Periodontal Treatments for Beating Bad Breath

Dr. Aalam and Dr. Krivitsky offer the following effective non-surgical procedures to beat bad breath and preserve the health and appearance of your teeth:

Periodontal Scaling. Used to treat gingivitis and gum disease, periodontal scaling involves the removal of calculus and plaque from the crown. By irrigating the area below the gums, periodontists can also alleviate halitosis by reducing the oral bacteria that can lead to bad breath.

Root Planing. By smoothing the roots of the teeth, periodontists can remove cementum and surface dentin along with microorganisms, toxins and tartar. Doing this encourages healing and prevents gum disease from progressing. Dr. Aalam and Dr. Krivitsky can also treat gum pockets with antibiotics to kill odor-causing bacteria.

Non-surgical procedures, periodontal scaling and root planing can be performed under local anesthesia to ensure patients experience little to no pain or discomfort. The doctors also utilize noise-reduced equipment to guarantee a relaxing, stress-free dental experience. Not only are these techniques effective at beating bad breath, but they may also help prevent disease and protect the overall health and appearance of your smile. As an added benefit, scaling and root planing removes stains, leaving teeth looking whiter and brighter.

Contact Dr. Aalam and Dr. Krivitsky

The only two, board-certified periodontists in the Brentwood area, Dr. Aalam and Dr. Krivitsky offer effective treatments for all of your gum-related health concerns, including periodontal disease and halitosis. After determining the cause of your bad breath, they will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan. If chronic bad breath is affecting your work or social life, don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation by calling (310) 826-8242 or contacting the doctors online.

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