Can crowns cause bad breath? You wouldn’t think so, seeing as how they are the go-to dental restoration after the most common causes of bad breath are treated. However, even after you get a crown, bad breath symptoms may come back. Here’s why.
Help! I have bad breath that won’t go away after a crown
It is reasonable to think that bad breath caused by tooth decay would be eliminated after you get a crown. After all, a crown is a common dental restoration that can:
- Protect a cracked or weakened tooth
- Replace a broken tooth
- Cosmetically fix a misshapen or discolored tooth
- Support a weakened tooth that has a large filling in it
Most of the above conditions are caused by tooth decay, and everyone knows that decay can lead to odor.
Unfortunately, not all crowns are created (or applied) equal. Sometimes a crown can cause bad breath. Often, this is due to an open margin on crown.
What’s the difference between a good crown vs bad crown?
Getting a crown is a fairly routine dental restoration. Your dentist prepares the surface of the natural tooth by filing it down evenly. They take an impression of your teeth and place a temporary crown while customizing the permanent crown. When the permanent crown is ready, they smooth the tooth surface again before fixing the permanent crown in place with dental cement.
This dental restoration works perfectly when everything goes according to plan. A good crown functions just like an intact natural tooth would, protecting the remaining natural tooth from further decay.
While the majority of patients receive a good crown and have no further problems, in some cases a gap will appear between the crown and the natural tooth surface. This is what is referred to as an open margin on crown. The margin, or the area where the crown meets the natural tooth, is not sealed. This allows food and bacteria to enter the space between the crown and the tooth.
What causes an open margin?
So why does this gap appear? The open margin can be due to:
- A rough surface
- Uneven application of dental cement
- Other errors in application or crown manufacturing
While the first two causes are entirely preventable, the crown itself may be defective and not ever able to really fit properly. This can be difficult to judge just by looking. Working with a highly-qualified dentist, however, can help you prevent these risks.
The other cause of open margin on crown is not preventable: time.
While a well-placed crown can last many decades, over time and with use crowns may loosen from the natural tooth. This is a common cause of open margin on crown, too.
Why does a bad crown cause bad breath?
An open margin on crown traps food and bacteria between the crown and the natural tooth surface. Just as previous decay emitted a bad odor, so, too, does this trapped bacteria.
Bad breath is not the only open margin on crown symptom. Although they can take some time to develop, the following common symptoms can also appear:
- Sensitive gums and teeth: Decay caused by open margin on crown can cause sensitivity to hot and cold as well as sensitivity to sweet foods.
- Bleeding gums when brushing and flossing: Eventually you may experience gingivitis symptoms like bleeding when brushing or flossing teeth. This may or may not go away over time.
- Pain: As the cement holding the crown in place begins to dissolve in the face of the bacteria that has made its way underneath the dental restoration, the roots of the tooth will begin to be affected. Pain may be mild at first, but as decay continues it can increase dramatically.
These symptoms are very common to cavity also. Many patients coming back to the dentist for treatment of cavity are shocked to find the cavity is located underneath their crown (sometimes referred to as recurrent caries).
How to get rid of bad breath from crowns
Bad breath can greatly impact your daily life (and your self-confidence). If you are experiencing bad breath (referred to as halitosis), here are five steps you can take.
#1: Check your crowns
If you have dental restorations and are experiencing open margin on crown symptoms (including bad breath), talk to your dentist.
They can take an X-ray to see if there is a visible gap in between the crown and the natural tooth. If there is, and tooth decay is present, your dentist will clean out all of the decay, fill the tooth, and replace your crown.
If the decay has progressed beyond repair, your dentist may opt for a root canal or extraction, followed by a dental restoration (like a dental implant).
#2: Visit the dentist regularly
When it comes to cavities and bad breath, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Visit your dentist twice annually for regular cleanings and checkups to prevent problems before they begin (and to catch small issues before they become big ones!).
#3: Practice proper oral hygiene
Just like rotting food smells bad in the trash, guess what it smells like in your teeth? Not good.
Brushing properly twice a day and flossing at least once removes all of the debris that your dinner leaves behind. Use a non-alcoholic, antiseptic mouthwash as directed by your dentist for squeaky-clean teeth!
#4: Drink plenty of water
Dry mouth is a common cause of bad breath and many other dental conditions.
Drinking plenty of water keeps your whole body (and your mouth) healthy, washing away bacteria that causes bad breath.
#5: If you smoke, quit
Simply put, smoking causes bad breath and many different types of cancer. It also stains teeth and hands, decreases the elasticity of your skin, and shortens your life. Take this opportunity to quit for good!
You don’t have to live with bad breath caused by crowns. If you are experiencing bad breath and think your crown might be to blame, give AZ Dentist a call. We are your Phoenix area weekend dentist, right here when you need us!
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