What Should You Do If You Notice Odor After an Implant?

Recently, when teeth are lost,

many people relieve both functional concerns

and aesthetic concerns

through implant treatment.

Because it can be made to be almost similar to a natural tooth,

it is chosen by many people

and is a treatment method that is drawing attention.

If, after getting an implant,

there is no particular pain,

but at some point a foul smell is noticed

from a specific area,

it is only natural to feel uneasy and worried.

You may think,

“Did I not brush enough?”

“Maybe it’s just a temporary case of bad breath,”

and let it pass,

but if a smell repeatedly comes from around the implant,

it could be a warning signal from inside the mouth..!

Just because it is not easy to see

does not mean there is no problem,

so it is important to clearly understand

the cause of the odor.

An implant

is made by fixing an artificial tooth root

into the jawbone

and then connecting a prosthetic tooth on top of it.

Although it may appear stronger

than a natural tooth,

the boundary where the implant meets the gums

is difficult to manage,

so special attention is needed.

If food debris continuously accumulates in this gap,

bacteria can cause odor

during the breakdown process.

If it is difficult to manage with ordinary brushing alone,

actively using oral care aids such as

interdental brushes or a water flosser

can help you manage it effectively.

Implant odor

🦷 Peri-implantitis? 🦷

Even if you take good care of it,

if a persistent odor continues,

you may suspect an inflammatory disease

that occurs around the implant.

Peri-implantitis,

similar to periodontitis in natural teeth,

progresses in a way that inflammation spreads

to the gums and bone tissue,

and in the early stages,

it appears only as odor or bleeding without pain,

making it easy to miss.

If left untreated,

the bone supporting the implant is gradually damaged,

and in the worst case,

it may even lead to a situation where removal is necessary.

If you have persistent bad odor in a specific implant area,

gums that are swollen or bleeding when brushing,

discomfort when chewing,

or a slight loosening of the implant,

you should visit the dentist without delay

and get it checked.

To prevent problems such as peri-implantitis,

daily care is necessary.

As mentioned earlier,

you should keep your brushing clean and thorough

by using interdental brushes and a water flosser together.

Also, if possible,

it is better to avoid smoking,

and even if there is no pain or discomfort,

you need to visit the dentist regularly

to check whether there are any problems with the implant.

Implant odor

The smell coming from an implant

may be more than a simple inconvenience;

it can be a sign that a long-term problem is beginning.

If managed early, it can be resolved relatively simply,

but if left untreated,

it may lead to additional treatment

or implant retreatment.

Therefore, rather than brushing it off,

it is a wise choice to check the condition

through a professional diagnosis.

In addition, to use implants for a long time and comfortably,

please be sure to receive consistent care

and regular checkups! 💕

Seoul Ob Dental Hospital

4th and 5th Floors, 196 Baekjegobun-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul