Why does an unpleasant odor occur when flossing between teeth and how to get rid of it?

Halitosis or bad breath is a symptom of pathological processes occurring in the body.

According to statistics, in 80% of cases, the cause of halitosis is dental problems, 10% are diseases of the ENT organs, and 10% are diseases of internal organs.

Having felt an unpleasant odor coming from their mouth, people most often turn to a dentist for advice. Often, upon examination, it is discovered that the source of the stale smell is a tooth rotting under the crown.

The main reasons why a tooth under a crown begins to smell bad

Wearing a prosthesis longer than expected . Over time, when wearing a denture for a long time, the gum tissue atrophies, and the area of ​​the neck of the tooth is exposed. A loose connection of the crown to the gum causes the formation of a gap into which food debris gets trapped. It is impossible to remove accumulated substrate from under the crown using traditional methods: toothbrush, rinsing. As a result, an environment favorable for the growth of bacteria is formed under the crown, which in the course of their life emit foul-smelling sulfur dioxide gases.

Violation of the seal between the crown and the tooth . The reason is most often the incorrect installation of the prosthesis or the resorption of the material that was used to fix the artificial crown to the supporting tooth. Pathogenic microflora, penetrating into the formed cavities, causes secondary caries and inflammation of the gums.

If the crown is metal-ceramic, then under the influence of salivary secretions and oxygen in the air, the metal in its composition undergoes oxidation, which causes an unpleasant odor. In addition, the resulting oxides irritate the mucous membranes of the gums and can provoke allergic reactions.

Lack of tooth protection after grinding . One of the stages of preparation for prosthetics is preparation - removal of the enamel coating, which protects tooth tissue from mechanical damage and the action of microbes. If, before installing a permanent prosthesis, the ground tooth is not covered with a temporary crown or treated with cement, then bacteria settle on it and continue their destructive activity under the prosthesis.

Violation of the technological process of manufacturing and installing a prosthesis . If a crown is installed incorrectly, regardless of the reason (insufficient experience of dental technicians and orthopedists, use of low-quality materials), soft tissue injury occurs, followed by infection and the development of inflammation.

Poor oral hygiene . Artificial structures - dentures require special care and cleaning. If you neglect the rules of hygiene, pathogenic microorganisms begin to actively multiply, causing putrefactive processes.

Poor quality dental treatment . One of the main conditions for successful prosthetics is the absence of infection in the oral cavity. If teeth that are subject to prosthetics have a defect in filling the dental canals, a granuloma or cyst filled with pus may form at the apex of the root.

When teeth affected by caries appear under the crown, the decay process continues and ends with complete destruction and death of the tooth.

Common causes

There are many causes of halitosis; the main cause can only be determined by a dentist. The most common are:

• Poor oral hygiene. Failure to brush your teeth in a timely manner or the absence of an irrigator and dental floss in your daily care routine results in pieces of food remaining between the teeth. As the particles decompose under the influence of bacteria, they begin to emit a fetid odor of rotting.
• Infectious diseases of teeth and gums . If caries is not treated in a timely manner, processes of tissue decomposition begin inside the tooth, which causes a pungent odor. Stomatitis caused by fungus or periodontal disease also leads to necrosis of oral tissue.
• Smoking and alcohol increase gum disease
• Dry mouth caused by the use of certain medications or regular public speaking.
• Liver and kidney diseases, diabetes mellitus - these diseases are also precursors of unpleasant odor.

If there are no serious health problems, the carious cavities are healed, but the smell on the thread is still present, then the reasons may be the following:

1. Poorly installed crowns and dentures . Food can accumulate in the spaces between the gum and the crown, which, if not properly hygienic, causes a stench.
2. Accumulated tartar , which is chosen by anaerobic bacteria for their vital activity.
3. Long-term use of antibacterial drugs and abuse of pastes and liquids with antibiotic effects.

Most of these problems can be resolved with regular visits to the dentist. To restore the microflora, you need to take medications prescribed by your doctor (Hilak-Forte, Linex-Forte) and increase your fluid intake.

Symptoms of tooth decay under the crown

The first sign of an inflammatory process under a prosthesis is not pain, as many people think, but an unpleasant odor. This happens because at the stage of preparation for prosthetics, the tooth is usually depulped, that is, the neurovascular bundle, which is responsible for sensitivity, is removed.

• An unpleasant taste first appears in the mouth, then a putrid odor is added, which cannot be masked by any chewing gum or mouthwash.
• The patient discovers a gap between the crown and the gum, where food debris gets in, which becomes a breeding ground for microbes.
• Often, inflammation of the gums develops near the tooth with the formation of soft tissue swelling.
• If the tooth has not been pulped, then severe pain is present.
• Blackening of the tooth under the crown.

All these symptoms indicate an advanced putrefactive process in the tooth covered with a crown. You should immediately seek medical help from a dentist.

Ignoring the problem leads to dire consequences:

• formation of a purulent cyst at the apex of the root;
• complete tooth destruction;
• the formation of periostitis or gumboil;
• spread of purulent infection along with blood or lymph flow to other organs.

When a visit to the dentist should be urgent

The appearance of an unpleasant odor from under dental structures is accompanied by additional symptoms. There is no need to delay your visit to the doctor.

Reasons to urgently consult a doctor:

1. Mobility, complete or partial destruction of the crown.
2. Pain – sharp, dull, aching, shooting, when biting, when brushing teeth, when exposed to thermal irritants.
3. Change in gum color - hyperemia, cyanosis, swelling.
4. Suppuration from under the crown, gums, formation of fistula tracts.
5. Recurrent episodes of sinusitis.
6. Numbness of the tongue, strange taste in the mouth.
7. General weakness, fever, enlarged lymph nodes.
8. Formation of a galvanic couple due to different prosthetic materials. Accompanied by a metallic taste in the mouth and electrical impulses.

But even if nothing besides amber bothers you, then consult a dentist. A bad odor indicates the proliferation of bacterial flora. And the appearance of pain or pus is a matter of time.

Why does the taste of blood appear in the mouth?

Inflammation of the gums under the denture is manifested not only by a specific smell from the mouth, but also by the appearance of a blood taste.

Inflammation of the gums around the crown is called gingivitis. Often the cause of gingivitis is rubbing of the mucous membrane due to the irregular shape of the prosthesis. For example, when the lower edge of the crown extends too deeply behind the gum, which leads to injury and bleeding. Blood is an excellent breeding ground for pathogenic microbes that readily multiply, causing inflammation of the soft tissue around a tooth with a poorly fitting denture.

Broken prosthesis that goes unnoticed. The bridge structures scratch the mucous membrane, leaving cuts and abrasions on it.

Bleeding is also the result of poor-quality tooth treatment before prosthetics. Against the background of inadequate filling of the dental canals or incomplete removal of the pulp, pathogenic microbes inside the tooth provoke a purulent process, which is accompanied by tissue destruction with the release of blood.

Possible reasons

All possible causes can be divided into 3 groups - the fault of the doctor, the patient and pathological processes independent of them. The latter are extremely rare, and halitosis is not a typical symptom.

Table. Possible causes of bad breath.

Tooth decay is caused by calcium deficiency and bone disease. But these pathologies have characteristic symptoms. The destruction of teeth indicates an advanced form of the disease.

What to do to get rid of the smell

Some patients, even having discovered that the cause of such bad breath was a tooth rotting under the crown, for some time they hope to cope with the problem on their own: they rinse their mouth with decoctions of chamomile, calendula, and sage.

Antibacterial rinses and traditional medicine give a temporary effect and are not able to eliminate the root cause of the problem. In addition, frequent rinsing can disrupt the normal microflora of the oral cavity, when beneficial microorganisms die along with harmful ones.

It should be understood that no home remedies will stop the inflammatory process in the tooth, which will only progress and lead to its complete destruction and loss.

Prevention

In order to avoid bad breath, preventive measures should be taken. Experts recommend:

1. Visit the dentist twice a year , who can detect the disease in the early stages.
2. Get rid of bad habits. Smoking is the most common cause of odor. You should also limit the consumption of alcoholic beverages, as they negatively affect the mucous membrane and provoke the proliferation of microbes.
3. Brush correctly , use floss to clean the interdental space and rinse. To select oral care products, you can contact your dentist, who will help you choose a brush, paste and rinse.
4. properly . The diet should include plant foods. It is rich in minerals and vitamins that are involved in strengthening the immune system and building bones, teeth, hair and nails.
5. Reduce or completely avoid sweets.

Treatment tactics vary and depend on the following factors:

• stages of tooth decay;
• the degree of spread of the inflammatory process to soft tissues;
• condition of root canals.

Treatment options for a tooth under a crown:

If the tooth stump has been preserved and has not undergone a carious process, the layers inside the crown are cleaned and, depending on the condition, it is either replaced with a new one or returned to its place after restoration.

When the upper part of the tooth is destroyed, but the roots are healthy, the stump inlay method is used. This is an orthopedic structure with “legs” that are fixed in the canals of the tooth, and an artificial crown is installed on top.

If the putrefactive process has gone too far and the tooth is completely destroyed, it is removed. As a rule, with long-term inflammation, the soft tissues surrounding the problematic tooth also suffer. Therefore, before proceeding with prosthetics, periodontitis is treated. There are two ways to restore a lost tooth: implantation or a bridge.

When choosing a dental clinic where you plan to get dentures, be sure to find out whether the medical institution provides guarantees for the treatment performed. If damage to the prosthesis occurs during the warranty period due to a medical error, treatment and restoration of the orthopedic structure is carried out free of charge.

How to treat unpleasant odor from under a crown

At the initial stage of treatment, the doctor must identify the reasons for the appearance of a bad odor from under the dental structure. Diagnostics includes:

1. Examination of the oral cavity.
2. X-ray of the tooth, according to indications - maxillary sinuses, orthopantomogram.
3. Development of a patient management plan.

Based on the examination results, the doctor will suggest therapeutic or surgical treatment. You may need to consult a periodontist or otolaryngologist.

What the dentist can offer:

1. Treatment of caries, sanitation of dental canals with their subsequent filling.
2. In case of inflammation of the gums, the doctor will evaluate the quality of the installation of the prosthesis and the depth of the periodontal pockets. Their cleaning, rinsing with antibacterial solutions, and applications with medications are indicated. In severe cases, the doctor will prescribe antibiotic injections. After stopping the inflammatory process, physiotherapy is indicated for the mineralization of bone tissue.
3. Installation of a new prosthesis - if the old crown cannot be restored, was installed with errors, or the patient has developed an allergy to the materials from which it is made.
4. If tooth root cysts are identified, then their removal is indicated. Access is through an incision in the gum. The tooth can be saved.
5. If perforation of the maxillary sinus is detected, the implant is removed. The sinuses are sanitized by an otolaryngologist. After stopping the inflammatory process, the bone tissue is restored, the bottom of the maxillary sinus is raised and a new implant is installed.

And most importantly! If a medical error has been made, self-respecting clinics provide treatment under a guarantee. Implantation, installation of crowns, dental structures are expensive services. And if the clinic does not provide a guarantee for its work, then you need to change the medical institution.

Additionally, conservative therapy is indicated - rinsing with decoctions of medicinal herbs, antibacterial drugs, training in the rules of oral care.

What to do if the tooth under the crown has completely rotted

One type of reconstruction of a severely damaged tooth is a stump inlay. It is a product that replicates the root system of the tooth. A crown is placed on the upper part of the structure protruding above the gum. The method is used only if there are healthy, undamaged roots.

Stump inlays are made of chrome-plated cobalt or alloys with precious metals (gold, silver). Preference is given to gold, as its shade resembles the color of natural enamel. The silver tab, despite its antibacterial effect, is used less frequently, since it shows through the crown as a dark spot.

If the roots are completely rotten and cannot be restored, the tooth is removed.

The choice of one or another method of dentition restoration in case of tooth loss remains with the patient, and his wishes regarding the material, type of structure, as well as financial capabilities are taken into account.

When should you not use dental floss?

Floss is considered one of the simplest and safest hygiene tools; it is simple and inexpensive to use, just a few minutes of free time is enough. However, even this device has contraindications. It cannot be used in the following cases:

• if your gums are bleeding, you can aggravate the situation and introduce an infection into the soft tissues;
• with periodontal disease - floss can damage weakened gums, provoke bleeding and even inflammation, plus there is a risk of infection on neighboring dental units;
• in the presence of caries - the disease weakens the teeth, makes them brittle and brittle; if floss is used carelessly, fragments may break off from the affected tooth, therefore, before purchasing floss, it is highly advisable to treat the entire oral cavity;
• for any inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity during the period of exacerbation;
• You cannot floss crown and bridge prostheses - there are special threads for such structures.

If you know how to properly brush your teeth with dental floss and use it along with toothpaste and brush, you can achieve excellent results: a charming smile and fresh breath will delight you every day.

What to do if a crown falls off

The reasons why a crown falls off a tooth can be very diverse:

• With prolonged use, the cement on which the crown was strengthened dissolves.
• Secondary caries, leading to the destruction of the tooth stump and a violation of the tightness of the connection between the tooth and the crown.
• Damage to the denture due to heavy load when chewing solid food.

You cannot try to put the crown in its original place on your own and continue to use the prosthesis. This is very dangerous, since the crown, unexpectedly jumping off the tooth, can enter the windpipe and cause suffocation.

It is impossible to properly strengthen the prosthesis at home; only a dentist can do this.

The dentist, after examination and diagnosis, will decide what to do next.

There are several options:

• If the crown is only slightly damaged, it can be repaired and replaced.
• In case of significant damage or if the service life of the orthopedic structure has come to an end, the prosthesis must be replaced.
• If the cause of crown loss is caries, the tooth is treated, and then a decision is made about the possibility of prosthetics.
• If a tooth is severely damaged and cannot be restored, it is removed, and then implantation or a bridge is installed.

Rules for caring for fixed dentures

High-quality care of crowns in compliance with all hygienic rules can significantly extend the service life of the product.

Since a regular toothbrush is not able to fully clean all hard-to-reach places, additional care products are used to better treat teeth and dentures.

Dental floss (floss). This is a special thread made of nylon, silk, acetate fibers with a flat or round cross-section, designed to clean interdental spaces. To enhance the effect, they are often impregnated with antiseptics.

Floss - disposable toothpicks with a thread on a frame are used for the same purposes as floss.

Bundle brush . The interdental spaces are cleaned using a brush-brush with many long bristles. Dentists recommend alternating cleaning the spaces between teeth with brushes and dental floss, since some of them (floss) are better suited for narrow gaps, and a tuft brush does an excellent job of cleaning wide gaps.

An interproximal brush with a brush is designed to treat hard-to-reach areas between the crown and adjacent teeth.

An irrigator is a device for cleaning the oral cavity using a water jet supplied under pressure. A pulsating stream of water penetrates into the most inaccessible places, cleanses the surface of teeth and artificial dentures from plaque and food debris in the gum pockets and interdental spaces.

Dentists do not recommend using wooden toothpicks at all. Wood particles get stuck between the teeth, begin to rot and cause inflammation. In addition, toothpicks can easily injure your gums without even noticing it.

What is floss and how to use it correctly

Floss is used to cleanse the interdental space, remove food debris and plaque particles from the mouth and prevent the formation of tartar. If the brush mainly cleans the front walls of the teeth and gums, the target of dental floss is the space between the teeth where the brush cannot reach. This is an effective prevention of many diseases and reliable assistance in the fight for cleanliness.

Floss is made from silk, nylon, nylon or acetate fibers, has a special weave and special impregnation for improved glide, as well as additional treatment with a medical composition. Which material to choose is not so important, but it is better to first consult with your dentist.

This simple device performs several important tasks at once:

• normalizes the acid balance in the mouth, thereby counteracting the development of diseases and demineralization of teeth;
• prevents the formation of an unpleasant odor - effectively removes food debris and plaque, along with bacteria, no bacteria - no odor;
• prevents the formation of caries, gum disease and other oral diseases.

But floss is only effective if it is used correctly. Basic recommendations and tips on how to use dental floss correctly:

• Before the procedure, be sure to wash your hands with soap;
• for effective teeth cleaning, a piece of thread about 20-30 cm long is required;
• the ends of the segment are wound around the middle fingers of both hands;
• the thread is pulled between the index finger and thumb;
• place the stretched floss between two adjacent teeth;
• we move the floss between the teeth, moving it up or down, gradually approaching the gums, avoiding too fast or sudden movements and jerks, so as not to damage the tooth enamel or soft tissues;
• we pull it around the tooth in a semicircle (to form the letter “c”) and move it back and forth several times, 7-8 movements are enough;
• Without removing the floss from the interdental gap, we wrap the adjacent tooth in the same way and repeat the cleaning;
• We repeat the procedure with all teeth, including the distant ones - this is where, as practice shows, the most bacteria accumulate and it is the most difficult to reach during hygiene procedures, so you should spend a little more time on the outermost lateral teeth.

At first, without experience and practice, it is not easy to perform the procedure, so at first it will take quite a lot of time. But after a few days you will get used to it and will perform it automatically, easily and quickly.

Important: to clean each subsequent tooth, you should use a clean section of the floss, otherwise you will not clean the oral cavity, but will transfer dirt and bacteria from the affected area to the healthy one. The meaning of the procedure in this case is simply lost.

Under no circumstances should you replace floss with regular threads - they have a rougher surface and can damage the tissues of the oral cavity.

Preventive crown care

The prosthesis installed in the mouth is influenced by food chemicals, saliva, and microbes. Without systematic proper care of crowns, they become covered with plaque, lose their original color, and become a breeding ground for infection.

Prevention of the development of infection in the oral cavity, especially under fixed dentures, involves strict adherence to the following hygiene rules:

• Teeth should be brushed at least 2 times a day: morning and evening, and if possible, more often. Brushing technique: movements of the toothbrush are performed from the gum to the top of the tooth at an angle of 45°. The procedure time is at least 3 minutes.
• Rinse your mouth with clean water after every meal.
• For better cleaning of teeth and dentures, it is recommended to actively use additional devices: interproximal and tuft brushes, dental floss.
• Use irrigators. To rinse the oral cavity, various agents with an antibacterial effect are used that destroy pathogenic microorganisms.

A well-installed prosthesis with good care will reliably and for a long time protect the tooth from external factors. But if a tooth infection does occur and decay begins, without proper treatment the pathological process will only progress, which will lead to serious complications. To eliminate the consequences, long-term treatment with significant financial costs will be required.

Diagnostics

The main diagnostic method is examination. In this case, the doctor determines the extent of spread of the pathological process and obvious signs of the disease. Also, to determine the cause and hidden symptoms, the dentist collects the patient’s medical history.

Diagnostic methods also include:

1. Hedonic research. It is carried out by the attending physician and allows you to assess the quality and degree of odor. The assessment is made using the Rosenberg scale from 0 to 5 points. But the method has a drawback - subjectivity.
2. Measuring the amount of sulfur compounds contained in the air a patient breathes. The study is carried out using a special device.
3. Microbiological research. Allows you to establish the type of microorganisms and select a drug if necessary.

After all the studies have been carried out, the doctor establishes a diagnosis, the cause of the disease and determines the course of treatment.