Dental Implants are metal posts surgically implanted into the jawbone. These posts fuse with the jawbone to become a permanent and secure part of our mouth just like real teeth. Unlike dentures or bridges, you need not worry about the implant moving out of its place.

With superior materials and durability, dental implants are a better tooth replacement option than dentures. Although dental implants have many advantages there is one minor downside to dental implants which is nothing but the bad breath. But fortunately, bad breath resulting from dental implants can be fixed.

In most scenarios, bad breath occurs in people with dental implants mostly due to an underlying infection. Sometimes, the signs of an infection can be subtle as bad taste in your mouth, bleeding gums, swollen gums, etc.

What are the causes of bad breath in people with dental implants?

Owing to the major advancements in dentistry, the dental implants itself is almost never the causative factor of infection. Most commonly, dental infections after a dental implant placement occur due to the negligence of proper oral hygiene. Although dental implants are made up of inorganic materials, they still require cleaning. This maintenance of oral hygiene is required to prevent bacteria build up around the dental implant. So not maintaining proper oral hygiene can cause bad breath and if left untreated it can lead to the eventual loss of the implant too in worst cases.

How to prevent and treat bad breath from dental implants?

Dentists recommend that we brush and floss our teeth twice a day. It is better to quit smoking for the benefit of the implant too. You should use specialized tools like interdental brushes or water flossers to effectively clean your teeth in difficult regions. It is also recommended to use anti-microbial mouth wash recommended by your dentist.

Early detection of infection can be fairly easily treated. When an infection underlying the dental implant is detected during the early stages, the treatment can be as simple as getting a deep cleaning with some oral antibiotics. Severe infections may require deep cleaning and sometimes surgery too.