Bad Breath and Wisdom Teeth – Is There a Connection?

Yawning tired woman isolate on white background

Wisdom teeth are thus called because they are normally the last ones to appear and at a relatively late age.

In some instances, wisdom teeth or third molars don’t fully come out of the gums. In such cases, they are called impacted wisdom teeth. These impacted teeth may cause infection due to bacterial growth and even bad breath. This can be addressed by taking antibiotics and cleaning and treating the surrounding gums.

You might need to have your wisdom teeth extracted. This way, you can prevent problems in the future. Remember that if they are not removed, wisdom teeth can cause decay, bone and gum infection, and bone loss.

Why are wisdom teeth full of bacteria?

Misaligned or impacted wisdom teeth are a little difficult to clean and they’re the perfect host to food particles and bacteria. Since bacteria thrive in warm and damp environment, impacted wisdom tooth can cause infections, cysts, and decay. As you can expect, all these can result to bad breath and an even off taste in the mouth.

If your wisdom tooth is submerged and causing bacterial profusion, the tiny air pocket between the tip of the tooth and the gum can be where bad breath is coming from. The sensitive gums surrounding the impacted wisdom tooth get infected easily and the bacteria in the wound can release sulphur compounds with foul odour.

Will the Wisdom Tooth Infection Get Better on Its Own?

You can’t expect an infection to get better without proper treatment.  Some signs of wisdom tooth or gum infection include an awful taste in the mouth, pain, tenderness or swelling, inflammation, bleeding, and bad breath that doesn’t go away. Visit Pickering Square Dental to find out if your wisdom tooth infection needs immediate attention.

Extraction is Necessary

Because impacted teeth are a potential cause of various problems, they have to be extracted. Extractions may be done one tooth per visit or multiple teeth can be extracted simultaneously.

Bad Breath May Be Caused by the Extraction

Wisdom tooth removal does not instantly stop bad breath. When your wisdom tooth is extracted, a blood clot is formed in the empty socket and when removed, it leads to a “dry socket”. Bacteria can get in there, lead to an infection, and bad breath.

Antibiotics and medicated creams may be prescribed by the dentist to clean the socket and aid in the healing process. Expect for the dry socket to take a few weeks to fully heal. Bad breath may seem persistent for some time after your wisdom tooth extraction, but with proper oral care, it should be gone soon. However, if you notice that it persists too long, you should take a trip to the dentist so it can be checked.

Whether it is caused by a wisdom tooth or not, bad breath is never a good sign. Schedule an appointment with us at Pickering Square Dental so we can assess the situation and help you bring your fresh breath back.

Looking for professional help? Learn more about our dental extraction in Pickering at Pickering Square Dental or call (905) 420-1777 to book an appointment.

Helpful Resources

man at the dentist

For more information, visit the Canadian Dental Association Oral Health.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I visit the dentist?

The Canadian Dental Association recommends visiting your dentist at least twice a year for regular check-ups and cleanings. Some patients may need more frequent visits depending on their oral health needs. Call Pickering Square Dental at (905) 420-1777 to schedule your next appointment.

Do you accept the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)?

Yes, Pickering Square Dental participates in the Canadian Dental Care Plan. Our team can help you understand your coverage and ensure you receive the dental care you need. Contact us for more details about CDCP eligibility and benefits.

What services does Pickering Square Dental offer?

We offer a full range of dental services including family dentistry, emergency dental care, sedation dentistry, dental implants, laser dentistry, teeth whitening, root canal therapy, dental extractions, periodontal care, and cosmetic dentistry. Dr. Lean and our team serve patients in Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, and Scarborough.

What You Need to Know about Impacted Wisdom Teeth

Closeup of x-ray image of teeth and mouth with all four molars vertically impacted and still not grown and visible in the jaw bone. Filled cavities visible. Impacted molars (wisdom teeth, teeth number 8) on the right side of the face (image left) shown red.

It’s April again, folks! You know what that means – It’s Dental Health month! We think we’d start the month with this informative post about impacted wisdom teeth. So if you are wondering about wisdom teeth, what an impacted wisdom tooth actually is or if you need yours extracted, then this post is perfect for you.

 

Before we talk about impacted wisdom teeth, let’s first have a quick overview on wisdom teeth.

 

What are They, Really?                         

Wisdom teeth are the final set of molars that are found at the very back of your mouth. They often appear long after all you get all your other adult teeth. Usually, wisdom teeth would break through your gum line in your last few years as a teenager or while you’re in your early twenties. They may cause discomfort in varying degrees.

 

Are All Wisdom Teeth Crooked?

You may hear of this from your parents or grandparents, but it’s just a myth. Of course, not all wisdom teeth grow in crooked! In fact, there are countless cases that show wisdom teeth can also grow in really straight. Needless to say, if this is the case, there is absolutely no reason for your wisdom tooth to be removed.

 

When they do grow in crooked, though, it is possible that they would affect all the other teeth that surround them – damage the adjacent teeth, crowd the other teeth, damage a nerve or even your jaw, and more.

 

What are Impacted Wisdom Teeth?

Impacted wisdom teeth are those that are not able to break through the gum line. It is often because there’s another tooth blocking the way of the wisdom tooth and there is no sufficient space for the wisdom tooth to ‘erupt’. As you can probably imagine, impacted wisdom teeth can cause greater discomfort and even pain. Impacted wisdom teeth can damage your gums, jaw, and your other teeth or cause infection.

 

Should You Have Them Removed?

It actually depends on your particular case and a lot of factors like, whether your wisdom tooth has broken through the gum line or not, whether it’s causing damage to your mouth and more. Only your dentist can tell what you should do about it.

 

If your wisdom tooth has broken through the gum line, it can be easily extracted. However, if the offending tooth is embedded in your bone, the procedure can be a little more complicated. In any case, the extraction would require the application of a local anaesthetic (or sedation if that is what you prefer).

 

How Long is the Recovery Period?

It varies from patient to patient. For some, it just takes a couple of days while for others it could take a few weeks. What is important though, is that you follow every direction given by your dentist so as not to aggravate your gum and ruin the stitches.

 

So, are you concerned about your wisdom tooth? Visit Pickering Square Dental and have it checked by Dr. Lean and his expert Dental Team.

 


Helpful Resources

sedation dentistry

For more information, visit the Canadian Dental Association Oral Health.

Schedule Your Appointment Today

Contact Pickering Square Dental to book your appointment with Dr. Marvin Lean. Call us at (905) 420-1777 or visit us at 1450 Kingston Rd, Unit #4, Pickering, ON.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I visit the dentist?

The Canadian Dental Association recommends visiting your dentist at least twice a year for regular check-ups and cleanings. Some patients may need more frequent visits depending on their oral health needs. Call Pickering Square Dental at (905) 420-1777 to schedule your next appointment.

Do you accept the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)?

Yes, Pickering Square Dental participates in the Canadian Dental Care Plan. Our team can help you understand your coverage and ensure you receive the dental care you need. Contact us for more details about CDCP eligibility and benefits.

What services does Pickering Square Dental offer?

We offer a full range of dental services including family dentistry, emergency dental care, sedation dentistry, dental implants, laser dentistry, teeth whitening, root canal therapy, dental extractions, periodontal care, and cosmetic dentistry. Dr. Lean and our team serve patients in Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, and Scarborough.