National Kissing Day is June 19th, but before you get ready to pucker up with a loved one, check your breath. You do not want your partner to be recoiling because you are suffering from halitosis. This is often a symptom of gum disease, and if you are suffering from that, then rinsing your mouth with mouthwash is not going to cut it. 

What Increases the Risk of Gum Disease?
Periodontal disease is caused by an increase in bacteria in the mouth, which infect the gum tissue. Some additional factors that make you more likely to develop the disease include:

  • Having a genetic predisposition
  • Taking certain kinds of medications
  • Suffering from diabetes
  • Smoking tobacco
  • Going through hormonal changes

    • Additional Symptoms of Gum Disease
    Bad breath, more professionally referred to as halitosis, is definitely one of the most apparent symptoms of periodontal disease. While this is definitely a bad thing when it comes to National Kissing Day, there are other symptoms that could ruin your day. One such symptom is tender or bleeding gum tissue. You may also be suffering from a receding gum line, loose teeth and overly sensitive teeth. 

    How to Treat It
    There are a number of treatments for gum disease. You may just need to lower your risk such as quitting smoking or switching medications. Other treatments include scaling and root planing that is used in tandem with certain medications. For the most intense forms of periodontal disease, surgery might be necessary. Tissue and bone grafts are a possibility as well as flap surgery.

    Call Our Office
    If you have chronic halitosis in Berkeley, CA, then you need to visit the office of Dr. Keith Chertok. The team is proficient in a number of dental services, so before you need to kiss someone on June 19th, schedule your appointment. We can be reached at 510-548-0150, so call us right away.