You’ve spent money on a dental crown to fix a broken tooth, make your smile seem better, and take better care of your oral health. Therefore, it’s normal to question whether your new crown is the cause of an unwanted guest, such as foul breath. Generally speaking, the simple answer is that dental crowns don’t directly cause bad breath.
Why Could Bad Breath Be Linked to Your Crown?
Dental crowns are usually not the cause of an unpleasant odor coming from your mouth. Usually, one of these typical causes is the main culprit:
Poor Oral Hygiene
Regardless of whether you have crowns or not, poor oral hygiene is by far the most common source of foul breath. Crowns and the surrounding gum tissue need to be cleaned as carefully as your natural teeth. Poor oral hygiene can cause:
- Plaque and Food Particles Accumulation: Food particles and plaque, a sticky layer of germs, can build up around the crown if you’re not brushing and flossing properly. These food particles are consumed by bacteria, which then create volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs), the main cause of foul breath.
- Gum Inflammation: Plaque accumulation can irritate your gums, resulting in gingivitis, which is characterized by bleeding, redness, and irritation. More germs may be present in inflamed gums, which can also contribute to an unpleasant odor.
Poorly-Fitted Crown
A poorly fitted or leaky crown is a serious issue that can cause foul breath. Tiny margins or gaps may appear if the crown does not fit tightly against your gum line or natural tooth structure. These areas turn into perfect havens for germs and food particles, which are very challenging to remove with routine brushing and flossing.
Leftover Cement
Sometimes, little pieces of the dental cement used to join the crown may remain around the edges. Even when your dentist carefully cleans this, little fragments may occasionally still be present, hurting the gums and perhaps drawing in bacteria.
When to See Your Dentist?
It’s important to make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible if you have chronic bad breath, especially if it’s accompanied by additional symptoms like discomfort, sensitivity, swelling, bleeding gums, or a loose-feeling crown. In order to guarantee a flawless fit and seal, they can precisely identify the problem and suggest the best course of action, which may include deep cleaning, crown adjustments, or, in certain situations, crown replacement.
A dental crown is an excellent investment in your oral health. You can make sure your repaired smile stays gorgeous and youthful by being aware of the several reasons why crowns might produce foul breath and maintaining good dental hygiene.
Summing Up!
Dental crowns don’t directly cause bad breath. However, if you don’t follow a good oral hygiene routine, you may end up jeopardizing your oral health by letting the bacteria thrive in your mouth.
If you have further queries about dental crowns or any other dental procedure, our expert dentists at Irvine Family & Implant Dentistry can help. Book your appointment by calling us at (949) 552-1380.