Being hyper aware of how your breath smells can be stress-inducing for anyone, causing embarrassment and fear of opening up to other people. But it’s not only an issue that affects your social interaction because taking care of your mouth is a matter of health.
Unfortunately, sometimes this bad smell, medically known as halitosis, may come from your dental crowns. And understanding how that comes to be can help you not only deal with this problem and regain your confidence but also keep your health in check, which is the most important part.
What is a Dental Crown?
They are usually referred to as crowns or caps, and they are prosthetic devices that are placed over damaged or weakened teeth to not only restore their function and strength but also their appearance.
These crowns are typically made from materials such as porcelain, metal alloys, or a combination of both. They are also custom-made to fit over your tooth snugly, providing protection and support. And when taken care of properly, they should not give you any trouble.
Why Does it Smell Bad?
If they are made from materials that are usually expected to be easy to take care of, it’s puzzling why they can still become an issue. The biggest problem that comes to mind might be their maintenance, but it could also be something else.
For that reason, let’s understand some of the factors that may be related to bad breath in your mouth.
Bacteria Accumulation
If your dental crown is improperly fitted to your teeth, small gaps or crevices can form. In those spaces, food particles can accumulate, and that’s an open invitation for bacteria to proliferate. These trapped debris can lead to bacterial growth, plaque formation, and ultimately, bad odor.
It can also happen that, if your crown is not fitted well, decay may develop underneath the crown, and that can also produce unpleasant odors.
Gum Inflammation
When you have problems with the fitting of your crowns, connected to difficulty in keeping good dental hygiene around the crown area, you may risk inflammation in your gums or gingivitis. Just like with debris trapped in the edges of your cap, inflamed gums provide an ideal environment for bacteria to thrive, resulting in bad breath.
Oral Hygiene
Anyone can have bad breath when neglecting good hygiene practices, such as brushing, flossing, and regular dental check-ups. But people with issues with their dental crowns may need to be especially dedicated to it in order not to exacerbate issues with their teeth, which can lead to bad breath. Inadequate oral hygiene allows bacteria to proliferate, and that’s what makes your mouth smell bad.
How Can I Deal With It?
There are a few things you can do to prevent bad breath and also manage the problem if it’s already there. Let’s check some of those tips:
- Maintain Good Oral Hygiene: As mentioned before, brushing your teeth a few times a day, especially after your meals, flossing daily, and using antibacterial mouthwash can help remove food particles and bacteria, and in turn, reduce the risk of bad breath. It’s also important to remember that good oral hygiene is essential to everyone, not just people with dental crowns.
- Regular Dental Check-ups: Having as a rule going to your dentist routinely also helps you monitor the condition of your mouth in general, and your crowns. These examinations can detect issues early and address any problems promptly, thus preventing complications that could lead to bigger problems in your mouth.
- Addressing Gum Health: Proper gum care can help prevent inflammation, and reduce the risk of bad breath. If you feel like your gums are sensitive, gently brushing them, flossing with care, and investing in soft toothbrushes might be a good idea. Consulting with your dentist to ask about it is a must.
- Professional Cleaning: On your regular visits, requesting a cleaning by a professional can remove plaque and tartar buildup on your teeth and dental crowns. That’s a huge help in promoting oral health and preventing bad breath.
- Correcting Crown Fit: Checking with your dentist if your crown is properly fitted is important. Maybe you can even feel that there are gaps around it, so making sure it’s properly aligned might promote better overall mouth health. If a dental crown is causing persistent bad breath due to poor fit or decay underneath, your dentist may recommend replacing or adjusting the crown to resolve the issue.
It’s essential to keep all of these factors in mind when you notice that your breath starts to smell bad. Consulting with your dentist might be your best bet in taking care of this problem.
Can I Take Care Of It At Home?
Maybe you don’t have time to go to the dentist right now, or you just want to take some preventive action, but you don’t know how. Here’s a simple solution that can help you.
Salt gargling is the practice of rinsing your mouth with a saline solution, made by dissolving salt in warm water. Salt is something that has been used for centuries for its antiseptic and antibacterial properties, which makes it an excellent choice for oral hygiene. These antibacterial properties can help in killing bacteria in the mouth, including those responsible for causing bad breath.
It also helps balance the pH of your mouth, by creating a less acidic environment. Gargling can also help dislodge food particles and debris trapped between the teeth, preventing the building of plaque and tartar.
And it also has soothing properties, because by washing your mouth with a warm salt solution, you can help reduce the inflammation and discomfort associated with problems in your gums.
To prepare the solution, dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water, take a mouthful of the solution, and swish it around in your mouth for up to one minute, making sure to reach all the areas. Gargle the solution at the back of your throat before spitting it out into the sink.
You may repeat the process a couple of times a day, but it’s a good idea to ask your dentist about it, just to make sure you’re not doing something that might be harmful to your teeth.
Final Thoughts
Dental crowns are a great solution to keeping your smile alive, but sometimes they can cause you trouble, especially if they are ill-fitted or give you trouble with your oral hygiene. If you get bad breath from them, it might be a good idea to try a solution at home, like salt gargling, but just as important is consulting with your dentist to have a full picture of the problem you have.
If you need some advice and help on keeping your smile healthy, contact us at Bridge Creek Dental.