Bad Breath No Match for Collegeville, PA Periodontist - By: Dr. D

COLLEGEVILLE AND PHILADELPHIA, PA – Bad breath- none of us want it, yet all of us are guilty of it once in a while.

Bad breath can be caused by something as simple as eating onions, or it can be caused by something serious, such as periodontal disease.

“The odor emitted from the mouth of someone with periodontal disease is so distinct that most periodontists know the patient has gum issues even before conducting the full exam,” said Dr. David DiGiallorenzo, a Collegeville, PA periodontist.

Periodontal disease is second only to oral dryness in causing bad breath, said DiGiallorenzo, who also is a PA and Williamsport, Collegeville dental implants expert.

Between 85 percent and 90 percent of bad breath is the result of certain anaerobic bacteria that release sulfur compounds, which cause the foul odor, according to information on Carifree.com, a website dedicated to providing treatment solutions to the dental profession. (http://www.carifree.com/patients/solutions/bad_breath.html)

As we age, periodontal disease becomes more of an issue, as it is most common in people age 35 and older, according to http://www.animated-teeth.com. (http://www.animated-teeth.com/bad_breath/t2_causes_of_bad_breath.htm)

Periodontal disease effects the bone and the gums surrounding the teeth. The leading symptoms include bleeding gums, tender gums, bad breath, shifting teeth, missing teeth, receding gums and loose teeth. As the disease progresses, it can damage the bone and can cause deep spaces to appear between the gums and teeth. These spaces are referred to as pockets, and they are notorious for harboring bacteria, DiGiallorenzo said.

When these pockets get too deep, it is impossible to effectively clean them and that leads to bad breath. Studies also have shown that people who suffer from periodontitis have more coating on their tongues than those who don’t have periodontal issues, according to Animated Teeth. The level of volatile sulfur compounds coming from this coating is four times greater than in people who do not have periodontal disease.

Battling Bad Breath

DiGiallorenzo has several recommendations when patients who visit his Williamsport, PA periodontics practice ask about how to combat their chronic bad breath issues.

“First and foremost, a periodontal screening is crucial to determine the ultimate cause of bad breath,” he said.

If it is a case of gum disease, Digiallorenzo may recommend utilizing LANAP- laser assisted new attachment procedure- a no-cut, no-sew, no-suture method to remove unhealthy bacteria in the pockets and repair lost bone and gum, with the pass of a laser light.

In addition, cavities provide the breeding ground for the bacteria that lead to bad breath and any tooth decay must be removed, he said.

Brushing and flossing all teeth and the tongue regularly are crucial, DiGiallorenzo said. As well, two to four dental cleanings per year may be required to ward off continued bacterial buildup.

Using an oral irrigator such as a Waterpik with a bit of hydrogen peroxide in the water also can improve oral hygiene.

There also are some dietary changes that can improve chronic bad breath issues he said. Onions, garlic, cabbage and curry can cause bad breath for up to 24 hours at a time, according to Health 911. (http://www.health911.com/remedies/rem_badbr.htm)

Canned tuna, certain cheeses and spicy deli meats also can cause bad breath. Sugary foods provide food for bacteria to feed off of, and tea and coffee drinks are thought to cause bad breath because of their acidity levels.

Healthy foods that don’t cause bad breath include pineapple, kiwi, papaya and leafy green vegetables.

However, if the cause of bad breath is not localized to the oral cavity, many times it can be caused by systemic components including gastrointestinal issues.

“Often, we will utilize GI-enhancing good bacteria such as acidophilus in tablet form and chlorophyl, a liquid green pigment found in plants used daily to detoxify the system,” DiGiallorenzo said. “So we look at the overall periodontal health, nutrition, medications and risk factors to find a solution for this common problem. Remember- bad breath is not normal; it is a symptom of something else going on.”

Read the full article titled “Bad Breath No Match for Collegeville, PA Dental Implants Expert’’.

About Dr. David Digiallorenzo

Dr. David Digiallorenzo, or “Dr. D,” graduated from Temple University School of Dentistry in 1993 and completed a specialty in periodontics and dental implantology from the University of Pennsylvania in 1995.

He is a past associate clinical professor at the University of Pennsylvania in the Department of Periodontics. He teaches nationally and internationally and is a regular contributor to dental literature.

Dr. D’s private practice in suburban Philadelphia concentrates on laser, aesthetic and reconstructive periodontics, dental implantology, advanced reconstructive case management and TMJ treatment. It is a unique dental spa with two full-time massage therapists that specialize in reflexology, reiki, massage, aromatherapy and homeopathy and nutrition. This combination creates a relaxed, optimal healing response.

Dr. D has two office locations: 184 W. Main St., Ste. 200, in Collegeville, PA; and 121 E. Fourth St. in Williamsport, PA.

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If you would like to learn more about bad breath as it related to periodontal disease, PA periodontics or you would like to schedule an appointment with one of the Williamsport and Collegeville, PA periodontists in Dr. David DiGiallorenzo’s office, please call (610) 409-6064 in Collegeville; (570) 322-4741 in Williamsport; or visit his Web site: perioimplants.us/.

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