Bad Breath No Match for Collegeville, PA Dental Implants Expert

COLLEGEVILLE AND PHILADELPHIA, PA – Bad breath is something none of us want, but all of us get once in a while.

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

“The odor emitted from the mouth of someone with periodontal disease is pretty distinctive and most periodontists know the patient has gum issues even before they conduct the full exam,” said Dr. David DiGiallorenzo, a Collegeville, PA periodontist.

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

Between 85-90 percent of bad breath is caused by anaerobic bacteria that release sulfur compounds, which cause the bad odor, according to information on Carifree.com, a website dedicated to providing treatment solutions to the dental profession.

Because periodontal disease is most common in people age 35 and older, it becomes a bigger issue as we get older, according to http://www.animated-teeth.com/.

Periodontal disease effects the gums and bone that surround the teeth.  The chief symptoms include tender and bleeding gums; missing, loose or shifting teeth; receding gums; and bad breath. As the disease worsens, it can damage the bone and can cause deep spaces to appear between the teeth and gums. These spaces are called pockets, and they are notorious for harboring bacteria, DiGiallorenzo said.

When these pockets get too deep, it is not possible to effectively clean them and that leads to bad breath.

Battling Bad Breath
DiGiallorenzo offers several suggestions to patients who visit his Williamsport, PA periodontics practice with questions about their chronic bad breath issues.

“A periodontal screening is the crucial first step to take to determine the ultimate cause of bad breath,” he said.

If it is a case of gum disease, Digiallorenzo often recommends utilizing LANAP- laser assisted new attachment procedure- a no-cut, no-sew, no-suture method of removing unhealthy bacteria in the pockets and repairing lost gum tissue and bone with the use of a laser light.

It’s also important to repair cavities because they provide a breeding ground for bacteria that lead to bad breath, he said Collegeville, PA periodontist Dr. Digiallorenzo.

Flossing and brushing the teeth and brushing the tongue regularly are imperative, DiGiallorenzo said.  Two to four dental cleanings per year may also 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.

Some dietary changes also can improve chronic bad breath issues, he said. Cabbage, Onions, garlic and curry can cause bad breath for up to 24 hours at a time, according to Health 911.

Canned tuna, spicy deli meats and certain cheeses 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 papaya, pineapple, kiwi and leafy green vegetables.

Learn More
If you would like to learn more about bad breath as it related to periodontal disease 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 Collegeville570-322-4741 in Williamsport; or visit his Web site: https://perioimplants.us/.

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.