Why do dental implants cause bad breath?

Bad breath (Halitosis) is a common dental problem and one in four persons emits foul-smelling breath. Despite it being harmless, it is annoying because such bad-smelling breaths can cause various self-esteem and social problems. If you do not clean your mouth properly, the oral bacteria can invade your teeth and gums, exhibiting a variety of discomforts like bad breath.

Keep in mind that halitosis can happen for people who restored their lost teeth with implants as well. The implant teeth are highly sturdier than other dental restoratives so that they have to be positioned surgically. Hence the teeth implants can act like regular teeth and ensure smile perfection.

You should care the implanted teeth like your natural teeth else the implantations also become susceptible to bad breath.

How are dental implants causing bad breath?

Here are some primary causes of bad breath after implants are discussed:

1) Infection in implant teeth

Dental implant infections are rare but it is the main reason behind foul breathing smell. When an implant is infected, the fixed post becomes loose and allows bacteria, food debris to trap inside. It is followed by difficulties like bad breath, bleeding, and pain around implants.

Infections in implants are subtle and hard to identify. If it is left untreated, it can destroy the entire implant.

2) Food stuck in the implants

Similar to natural teeth, the bit and pieces of food trap between your implant teeth. If that debris is not removed, it will emit an unpleasant odor until they exist. Over time, they are accompanied by oral microbes and start irritating your gums. It will lead to a problematic condition called peri-implantitis.

3) Plaque build-up

Plaque - The thin sticky film of bacteria forms on teeth surfaces over the gum margins. The harmful microorganisms in this biofilm produce acids after you eat and drink. It is the main reason behind tooth decay, bad breath, and gum diseases. 

Dental implants are also at risk of developing plaque build-up that provokes a nasty smell from the mouth.

However, the artificial teeth do not decay but the underlying gums will be infected thereby loosening the implant's support from gums that lead to the implant tooth loss.

4) Bad craftsmanship in implantation

When a person received implant-supported dentures for full mouth rehabilitation, the denture teeth should be fixed close to the gums after inserting the implant posts surgically. Otherwise, the bacteria, food debris would accumulate in the space between gums and restorative appliances. It also provokes bad breath. 

It occurs in rare cases. You would not receive such poor implantation or repair techniques if you visited a highly skillful implantologist.

5) Using poor quality porcelain teeth

Whether it is a single tooth implant or full mouth dental implants, the fake teeth mounted on the implant posts are made up of porcelain. Prosthodontists prefer such porcelain teeth because they mimic the appearance of a natural tooth and are hard to identify.

When a dental implant tooth is made up of poor-quality porcelain materials, it develops deep grooves or cracks easily. It is followed by a metamorphized rash causing various irritations and bad breath.

Bottom line

An implant tooth itself is not a source of bad breath. Poor implant tooth care is the main reason behind such bad odors. As we discussed, bad breath after fixing implants occurs due to the aggregation of food leftovers, bacteria in the artificial teeth. Luckily, this problem is fixable if it is treated in the initial stage.

Meanwhile, you should take care and keep the implant teeth clean as well as your natural teeth. They are at risk of infection even though they are not natural teeth. Thus you can prevent dental implant bad breath.