We are all taught at a young age that bacteria are bad for us. The truth is each and every one of us has bacteria in our bodies and it is supposed to be there. When certain bacteria get out of control, infection is typically the result. Our mouths are no different. Anaerobic bacteria are present in everyone’s mouth and on their tongue. There are a couple of diseases caused by anaerobic bacteria that you should be on the look out for. Here is a brief description of each one and the symptoms you need to be on the watch for.
- chronic bad breath or halitosis
- gum disease
When you think of bad breath, you probably think of that big, nasty hamburger you had for lunch that was full of raw onion and covered in chili. There is no doubt that would cause something that could be similar to dragon breath. In that case, the halitosis is situational. Once you clean your teeth, gums, and tongue that scent should go away. No, anaerobic bacteria causes the type of bad breath that nothing seems to fix. No amount of brushing does any good. That’s because bacteria gone wild are causing your bad breath and until it is under control with a dental professional’s help, it is here to stay.
The other disease caused by anaerobic bacteria is gum disease. It is often also referred to as periodontal disease, gingivitis, and periodontitis. Regardless of the name you call it, it is still a serious risk to your teeth and gum health. The common symptoms include bad breath, as we mentioned before and assorted problems with your gums. As a side note, most of the time bad breath is actually a symptom of gum disease. It does occasionally happen that halitosis occurs without the presence or damage of actual gum disease. The gums often bleed when the teeth are brushed with gum disease and many people report a greater sensitivity to hot or cold foods. The gums may also become tender to the touch. The best course of action is to get help before you notice your gums becoming very red or purple in color, as this is a sign of severe gum disease.
