How does Periodontal Disease (gum disease) affect bad breath (halitosis)? Before you answer that question, you should identify what causes bad breath (halitosis).

Bad Breath (Halitosis):

More than 400 different kinds of bacteria lurk in your mouth at any given time. Most of these are harmless and have no noticeable taste or odor. In fact, many of them are helpful in the process of breaking down food in the mouth. However, dental experts have identified at least 14 of these oral bacteria that can be the triggering factor for halitosis. While breaking down food particles, sulfur compounds are released by these bacteria, which then cause the offensive odor.

These bacteria generally reside on the rear parts of the mouth and tongue. When tiny food particles remain lodged in the mouth, these bacteria feed on them, releasing the foul-smelling Volatile Sulfur Compounds or VSC. If you have ever smelled rotten eggs, that's exactly how VSC smells like.

Periodontal Disease (Gum Disease):

Periodontal disease refers to diseases which are around the tooth, affecting the gums and bones supporting the teeth. The term, gum disease, encompasses gingivitis and periodontitis and causes bacterial infection. It can affect only one tooth or many. Sometimes, bacteria in plaque can cause gums to suffer from inflammation. This may be a harbinger of gum diseases. Another cause would be the usage of tobacco products. Tobacco users are at greater risk of developing gum disease.

A constant sore mouth that includes swollen, red, and/or bleeding gums more than ever when you brush, characterizes gingivitis. There is often times tooth sensitivity and pain, as well as bleeding when you brush. Your gums should look coral pink as opposed to red and if you experience any discomfort in your mouth the best course of action would be to contact your dentist or health care provider.

Now that we know how both gum diseases and bad breath begin, we can now discuss the link between the two. Basically, if you are suffering from gum disease and fail to control it during the early stages, it will progress to the bleeding gum stage, during which an excessive amount of volatile sulfur compounds are released in the mouth, causing the much dreaded bad breath.

Many cases of both bad breath and gum disease result from the practice of poor dental hygiene. Bacteria and other harmful elements build up if you don't keep your mouth clean at all times. For this reason, you must make a habit of brushing at least twice a day and flossing regularly. After brushing and flossing, make sure that you rinse your mouth thoroughly to make sure that all dislodged food particles are removed from the mouth.

Proper cleaning of the mouth is important, particularly after eating foods that are high in protein content. This is because even after you finish a meal, microscopic particles of food still remain in the mouth. Much of this food debris ends up trapped between the teeth and also in the coating found on the posterior aspect of the tongue. Since these are exactly the same locations in which the anaerobic bacteria that cause bad breath live, by not cleaning thoroughly, a prolonged food supply is provided for these bacteria.

If you then add in regular cleanings from your dental hygienist and a proper diet that does not contain foods high in protein, and those that exacerbate the malodor, you are that much closer to a clean, fresh, beautiful mouth.

A water pik is a wonderful addition to the oral hygiene routine because it is used to knock the food particles out from between the teeth, which is beneficial in fighting bad breath (halitosis) and periodontal disease (gum disease). You can purchase a water pik that will take batteries so it is portable.

While looking for mouthwashes, which can be a daunting task, try to look for those that contain Cetylpyridinium chloride and zinc chloride. A mouthwash that does not contain these ingredients will mask the odor for a limited amount of time, but give no long lasting results to eliminating the odor of bad breath. Also Hydrogen Peroxide is a great rinse because it release oxygen and the bacteria in the mouth thrive in an environment without oxygen.