Baton Rouge Dentist

Do I Have an Oral Yeast Infection from a New Crown?

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My new crown has been sensitive since I got it. Within three weeks, my saliva production increased; I had chapped lips, sores in the corner of my mouth, bad breath, and bitter taste. My mouth’s condition is making me miserable. I’ve been stress eating, and I noticed that sugar and gluten make everything worse. Do I have an oral yeast infection? – Thanks. Bethany

Bethany,

Some of your signs and symptoms may be related to your dental crown procedure. Below are possible causes of the signs and symptoms you are experiencing:

  • Sores in the corners of your mouth – Corner-of-the-mouth sores are usually stress-related.
  • Bad breath and bitter taste—A sore mouth can cause discomfort when flossing and brushing teeth. If oral hygiene has been delicate, bad breath and bitter taste can follow.
  • Increased saliva production—Certain medications, allergies, gastroesophageal reflux disease, infection, dental work, and other factors can increase saliva production. Sometimes, stressful dental appointments can cause dry mouth but not increased saliva.

Do You Have an Oral Yeast Infection?

You may have an oral yeast infection if you are experiencing some of the following signs and symptoms:

  • Cracked, red corners of the mouth
  • Dry, cotton-like mouth
  • Loss of taste
  • Red, burning, or sore mouth
  • White lesions on your gums, tongue, or inner cheeks

If you think you have an oral yeast infection, schedule an exam with your dentist. You can also consider getting a second opinion.

Baton Rouge family dentist Dr. Ryan Perry sponsors this post. Read how he strives to provide patients with some of the best dental care in Baton Rouge.

Would a cold cause bad breath or is it something else?

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I work with a lot of kids and I think one of them shared his cold virus with me a few weeks ago. Ever since then my breath has been terrible. My husband has started making comments about kissing me and it’s embarrassing. So I have been brushing morning and night, and after I eat. I always have a mint and gum in my pocket, but it’s not better yet. Is my bad breath from my cold or is it something else?

Janie, Portland

Dear Janie,

Bad breath, or halitosis, is a tricky thing. Typically your mouth is able to keep an amazing balance of the over 600 bacteria that reside there. They function to break down the foods you eat and keep things clean. When something upsets the balance, it can cause bad breath.

There are several things that could be the cause so it may be difficult to pinpoint which it may be for you.

You mentioned you have had a cold. If you didn’t have any problem before you got sick, it may be that the drainage from your cold is causing the smell. Other medical conditions can also contribute to bad breath, such as GERD or acid reflux. If it is one of these, a doctor may be able to prescribe medicine  to help.

Certain foods may be the culprit. Some, such as garlic and onion, have their smell linger in the mouth for quite some time after they are eaten. Also, when protein is eaten, bacteria will break it down, causing a sulfur smell.

Even the mints you are eating may be making matters worse. Many of them have sugars that bacteria in your mouth feed on. This may contribute to the bad breath, as well as lead to tooth decay and gum disease. If you want to freshen up quickly, sugar-free gum would be a better bet.

While you try to determine what may be causing your bad breath, good oral hygiene is the first place to start to fix it. You are wise to brush after eating and at the beginning and end of the day. Flossing and rinsing with a mouth rinse, especially one designed specifically for bad breath, would be a good addition to your daily regiment. This will help get rid of any hiding food particles that bacteria is working to break down, possibly causing the smell.

If your bad breath continues, mention it to your dentist at your next appointment. He may be able to help you determine the cause.

This post is sponsored by Dr. Perry at Baton Rouge Family Dentist.

Can a Tongue Scraper Help With Bad Breath?

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Using a tongue scraper may help reduce bad breath, however will not eliminate the problem of halitosis completely. Post-nasal drip is a common reason for bad breath because it coats the back of the tongue with bacteria so a tongue scraper is somewhat effective in decreasing foul odor caused by sinus drainage. There is no standard treatment in treating halitosis; however tongue scrapers are significantly more effective at reducing the bacteria that causes bad breath over brushing the tongue alone.

Some people use mouthwashes, eat mints, chew gum, or stay away from offensive foods and drinks to cover up unpleasant odor but this does not work for everyone. If you feel like you can’t eliminate your bad breath problem, consult with your dentist. Periodontal disease (gum disease) is another common reason for foul odor in the oral cavity. When plaque collects under our gums, the bacteria in the gums releases sulfur compounds which have a bad smell causing our breath to be foul. About 75% of the population has some form of gum disease ranging from gingivitis to periodontitis. Signs of periodontal disease are as follows:

  • Red or swollen gums
  • Bleeding or tender gums
  • Hurts to chew
  • Your bad breath just won’t go away
  • Sensitive teeth
  • Loose teeth

We recommend if you are having any of these symptoms see your dentist right away.

Post courtesy of Dr. Perry, Baton Rouge Dentist.

My Mom’s Breath Stinks

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I don’t know if me telling my mother that her breath stinks is the best idea. Every time she talks to my face directly I smell it. I find myself ducking my head or moving my head to the side. I feel bad when she asks me, “What’s wrong Honey”? She brushes her teeth twice a day and uses the fanciest toothpastes. She chews gum and has mints on a regular basis but it does not seem to make a difference. Her bad breath is so strong, it over comes the mint, smelling like bad breath with a small hint of mint. I don’t think she realizes how bad her breath is. Can you help me?

Thanks Stacy,

Dear Stacy,

The best way to handle this is to be honest, show concern, and let your mother know. If you are noticing her bad breath so are her friends and coworkers. One of the main causes of bad breath is gum disease which is an infection of the tissues and bone surrounding the teeth. Signs and symptoms of gum disease besides bad breath are gums that are red, swollen, and bleed easily as well as pain in the teeth. If gum disease has been left untreated for sometime teeth start to shift and become loose in the socket.

Gum Disease is the major cause of tooth loss and is quite common among the adult population, especially when dental checkups are avoided on a regular basis. Besides the possibility of losing one’s teeth due to gum disease it also causes other health issues like heart disease, diabetes, and chronic inflammatory diseases. Gum Disease is very treatable, especially in the early stages and one can keep their teeth for the remainder of their life with good hygiene and frequent dental cleanings.

We recommend you discuss this issue with your mother and advise her to make an appointment for a dental exam to see if she does indeed have gum disease. If she is in the early stages of the disease her dentist will recommend a deeper cleaning to remove all the bacteria off of her teeth which will stop the disease from causing more damage to her surrounding tissues and bone however if she has severe gum disease he may recommend her to go see a periodontist who specializes in the treatment of this disease for further treatment. Once the disease is treated good oral hygiene and visiting your dentist on a regular basis are vital in order to keep the disease from progressing.

Post courtesy of Dr. Perry, Baton Rouge Dentist.