Bad Smell in Between Tooth, and Light Pain when I Get Food Stuck?

Question

Hello. I had a root canal about 6 months ago and they just recently put my crown on. Before all if this ,my tooth was abseced and it smelled horrible. Now that I got the perm crown put on, it still hurts when food gets caught in there and it still smells when I rub my tooth and floss. Why is this ? My dentist told me it might need to heal more? But for all the money I paid I didn't expect pain and smell

Jon G. Rischer, DDS · Answer

Hello, and thanks for your question.  If food continues to get caught in the areas between your teeth, that is definitely a possible culprit for what you've been experiencing.  When food gets caught and is not removed, the bacteria causes odor, as well as tenderness of the gums.  It's possible that the areas between your teeth are "too loose", and checking with your dentist will help determine the next course of action and possibly "tightening" those areas so that food doesn't get caught anymore.  Thanks for your question!

Ted Baghdasarian, DDS · Answer

Hi Leah,
Definitely have your doctor check the contacts adjacent to the recently delivered crown. If the contacts are not snug enough, then food can travel past the contact area and be trapped in your gingiva and rot. Rotting or decaying food attracts bacterial overgrowth and can lead to inflammation of the gums known as gingivitis and in severe instances causes a gum infection leading to gum disease and bone loss around your tooth. The smell is simply a byproduct of the festering decaying food and any purulent discharge that may be presents as the area becomes inflamed. You may also have your doctor check the gums for any deep pockets or food traps due to gum detachment from the underlying bone. Good luck!

Jessica Wyatt, DDS · Answer

Whenever a crown is placed, it should be in contact with the teeth adjacent to it so that when you go to floss between the teeth, you feel the floss "snap" down in between the teeth. We call this "good contact." If you floss between the teeth and there is no snap, so the teeth are not touching, we call this "loose" or "open contact" which is not good. Open contacts can lead to odor since food can get more easily lodged between the teeth and bacteria can start to accumulate. If you have an open contact after a crown is placed, it needs to be redone to correct this. Hope this helps!

Kourosh Maddahi, DDS · Answer

Hi:
As long as more than usual amount of food is getting stuck between your tooth you continue to have bad smell due to bacterial build up.  Please have your dentist evaluate the spacing between your crown and tooth.  Meanwhile it is good to rinse your mouth with Oral Essentials Clean and Fresh mouthwash.
Best,
Dr. Maddahi

Michael Ayzin, DDS · Answer

Leah, thank you for your question. Sounds like the contacts between your new crown and your teeth either too light or not existing. Food should not get stuck between teeth. Consider seeing your dentist and ask him in person what he can do to improve this situation.

Frank Morrone, DDS · Answer

Hi!

When was your last cleaning and periodontic exam? What you are describing can be caused by many factors. Some factors might include gum disease or too much space between the crown and adjacent tooth. A second opinion can  be your best friend. Hope this helps!

Best, Dr. Morrone

Bad Smell in Between Tooth, and Light Pain when I Get Food Stuck?

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Bad Smell in Between Tooth, and Light Pain when I Get Food Stuck?

Answers (11)

Answer: Bad smell in between tooth

Answer: Bad smell in between tooth

Answer: Bad Smell in Between Teeth

Answer: Bad Smell in Between Teeth

Answer: Food Stuck?

Answer: Food Stuck?

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