Q: In spite of my twice-a-day perio gel trays, an exemplary home regimen of brushing and flossing, my hygienist tells me my gums are in great shape when I visit her every 3-4 months for teeth cleaning. BUT I STILL HAVE A FOUL ODOR. The pockets have decreased in size considerably, but the smell won’t go away. What can I do to get rid of the odor completely or lessen it somehow? Please help.
A: A few questions:
- Are you certain that you have no gum pockets deeper than 4 mm? That should be verified by a qualified periodontist to eliminate this as a cause of your symptoms of a foul odor.
- Have you been brushing your tongue or using a tongue scraper? This is an area where sulfur containing bacteria build up and cause the foul odors.
- Do you have any digestive issues? Acid reflux and upper gastrointestinal problems can also be a possible cause.
- Are you taking any medications? This can also be a contributing factor.
Have the above suggestions thoroughly examined and hopefully you will find your answer.
Good Luck,
Dr. Eric Linden
