Periodontal Disease: How To Cure Gum Infection & Bad Breath Permanently

A gum infection is an infection in your oral cavity which causes inflammation and damage to the jaws and gums. Gum infections may arise from poor oral health hygiene over time, allowing bacteria to build up between your teeth and gums.

Bad breath, also termed halitosis, can result from poor dental habits and signify other oral health problems. It can also be worsened by the type of foods you take on other unhealthy lifestyle habits. However, there are remedies that one can take at home to prevent bad breath or, at times, with the help of your dentist.

This article discusses how gum infection and bad breath can be treated permanently and explains when to see a dentist near you.

How to Cure Gum Infection?

Your gum infection has to be treated promptly to avoid further complications, and this can be done either through home remedies or by your dentist in Dallas. In addition, research shows that good oral hygiene and regular dental cleanings can prevent and treat earlier forms of periodontal disease like gingivitis.

Periodontitis or gum infection may require treatment in professional deep cleaning in the pockets and gums around the teeth. Your dentist may also clean any abscesses that are present. Other cases may require your dentist to remove areas of the tissues.

Severe and persistent cases of infection may need treatment with antibiotics. In addition, your dentist may sometimes need to inject antibiotics into the affected area. Advanced cases may require surgery such as tissue and bone grafts to repair or avoid damage to the jaw.

As part of the treatment, your dentist at All Care Dental may advise patients to try the following home remedies:

• Brushing your teeth after every meal
• Flossing after every meal
• Using a medicated mouthwash
• Swishing your mouth with salt water to reduce inflammation and kill bacteria

How to Get Rid of Bad Breath Permanently?

To reduce bad breath, lower the risk of gum disease and avoid cavities, you have to practice good oral hygiene consistently. Further treatment of halitosis can vary depending on its cause. If an underlying health condition causes your bad breath, your dentist may refer you to a primary care provider.

If oral health cases cause it, your dentist will help you control that condition by using dental measures such as mouth rinses and toothpaste. For example, if a bacteria build-up causes bad breath, your dentist may recommend a mouth rinse that kills bacteria. They may also recommend toothpaste with an antibacterial agent to kill bacteria.

The other option of treatment is treating the dental disease, and this is if the bad breath is caused by the gum infection. The dentist will refer you to a specialist for periodontal treatment in Dallas. Gum disease may make the gums pull away from the teeth, leaving pockets filled with odor-causing bacteria. Sometimes, only a professional dental cleaning may remove the bacteria.

There are also lifestyle and home remedies that may prevent or reduce bad breath, and this includes:

• Brushing after every meal using fluoride toothpaste to reduce odors. Change your toothbrush after every three months
• Brushing your tongue as it may harbor bacteria which may cause bad breath.
• Avoid dry mouth by keeping your mouth soft by limiting the intake of tobacco or alcoholic drinks. Drink plenty of water instead or chew gum.
• Adjust your diet avoid foods such as garlic which may cause bad breath.
• Clean your dentures or dental appliances thoroughly.
• Adhere to regular dental check-ups and cleanings at least twice a year.

Foods to Eat and Avoid for Healthy Gums

Foods that need to be avoided as they may harm your gums include ice cream, tomatoes, and oranges. Oranges and tomatoes are highly acidic, which may increase damage to your gums and teeth and promote tooth decay.

To keep your gums healthy, you should eat the following food types, ginger, apple, and onions. Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties which protect the tissues in your mouth. On the other hand, the munching action of apples spurs a cleansing action that removes plaque on your teeth and gums. In addition, onions have an antimycobacterial ingredient that kills bacteria. However, you need to use mouthwash afterward.