It’s been the standard wisdom that there is a relationship between diseased gums and bad breath; however, the results of some studies suggest that periodontal disease isn’t as likely to cause a problem as we once thought. This is not to say that people with gum disease won’t have bad breath: what it may mean is that their oral health problem is not the cause of their halitosis.

It makes sense that diseased gums and halitosis will be seen in the same patient: we know that people with periodontal disease have spaces and pockets in their gums where bacteria can grow, and indeed, when these spaces are cleaned by dental professionals, the material removed does smell bad. Many of the bacteria that grow there are anaerobic producers of compounds that smell awful, such as volatile sulfur compounds, the smell of rotten eggs. It may be, though, that bacteria and their byproducts remain secluded in the gums and halitosis generally originates in some other part of the mouth.

It’s important to look after your teeth and gums and bad breath should be a secondary concern if you have gum disease. See your dentist promptly and arrange treatment before the condition threatens your teeth – that way you’ll have your own teeth much longer. Those who genuinely suffer from diseased gums and halitosis will probably have to tackle the two problems separately: professional care for the gum disease and a good breath product for the halitosis.

If diseased gums and bad breath are not related, the chances are that the bad odor is originating at the back of the mouth, particularly on the surface of the back of the tongue. Research on halitosis indicates that cleaning this area regularly and gently with an inverted spoon or tongue cleaner can yield good results. Using a mouthwash that inhibits the multiplication of odor-causing bacteria will help as well. Avoid those that contain alcohol, as this tends to dry out the tissues and has an adverse effect on both gums and halitosis.

R. Drysdale is a freelance writer with more than 25 years experience as a health care professional. She is a contributing editor to Gums and Bad Breath at Bad Breath Cure, a blog dedicated to the treatment of bad breath.