A persistent, foul, "sewer" or "feces-like" smell from your mouth is likely caused by an accumulation of bacteria producing volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs), often due to poor oral hygiene, advanced gum disease, a severe infection (like an abscess or sinus infection), or, in rare cases, a serious underlying medical condition.
Proper flossing removes food particles and plaque from between your teeth, helping to control bad breath. Brush your tongue. Your tongue collects bacteria, so carefully brushing it may reduce odors.
Dental cavities grow, causing holes in teeth where fermentation occurs. This process causes bacteria to produce sulfur compounds, which results in an unpleasant mouth odor. If you have persistent bad breath despite regular oral care, contact Citrus Smiles for a thorough diagnosis.
The tooth decay smell will not go away with brushing or mouthwash alone. Only a dentist can treat the decayed tooth and stop the smell for good. It is important to act early before the problem gets worse. Taking care of your teeth helps protect your health and confidence.
Methyl mercaptan is caused by bacteria found near the gag reflex and in the gums and is often described as smelling like feces. Dimethyl sulfide is a bacteria found in the throat that is associated with post-nasal drip and sinus issues and smells much like rotten cabbage or gasoline.
Breath which smells like rotten eggs is often an indicator of an issue stemming from the digestive tract. Because the gut microbiota breaks down sulfur, an gas which smells like eggs is released. Causes for this can include Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or GERD.
If it smells bad when you floss, there is likely a buildup of bacteria, decaying food, or early gum disease between your teeth. Consistent flossing, proper oral hygiene routine, and a visit to the dentist will help eliminate the bad odor and protect your dental health.
In conclusion, while you can't smell a cavity directly, the bacteria that cause tooth decay can lead to unpleasant odors. Cavities contribute to bad breath by allowing bacteria to thrive in decayed portions of the tooth.
Water will naturally wash away food particles, bacteria, and other odour-causing cells. Since bacteria survive off the leftover food in your mouth— simply rinsing after a meal will aid in fighting bad breath. Try drinking around two litres of water each day.
Bad breath that just won't go away or a constant bad taste in your mouth can be a warning sign of advanced gum disease, which is caused by a sticky, cavity-causing bacteria called plaque.
The longevity of a dental filling can depend largely on the type of filling material used and your oral hygiene practices. On average fillings last 20 years when made of gold, 15 years for ceramic and porcelain, 10-15 years for amalgam, 7 years for composite, and less than 5 years for glass ionomer.
Symptoms
Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, can cause chronic bad breath (halitosis) and an unpleasant taste in the mouth. The smell is often described as foul, rotten, or putrid, similar to decay or a sulfur-like odor.
If you ever scrape your teeth with your finger and smell it, you'll likely smell a bad odor. What you're smelling is bacteria. Your mouth is full of bacteria, but not all of it smells bad. The bacteria found in plaque is typically smelly.
Periodontal disease symptoms may include:
Treating the underlying condition is the only halitosis cure. Often, getting fresher breath is as simple as improving your oral hygiene routine.
Along with the acid content in coffee, these compounds can produce bad breath. The beverage also causes dry mouth, which can worsen bad breath. Coffee-induced dry mouth is produced in part by caffeine, which is slightly dehydrating.
What does an alcoholic breath smell like? Alcohol breath usually has a somewhat sweet and sour odor, but it can also vary based on the type of alcohol consumed. Some might detect a scent similar to ripe fruits or fermentation, while others might perceive a scent similar to chemicals or solvents.
If you think you might have bad breath, there is a simple test that you can do. Just lick the inside of your wrist and sniff - if the smell is bad, you can be fairly sure that your breath is too. Or, ask a very good friend to be absolutely honest with you; but do make sure they are a true friend.
When you eat sugary foods or sip sugary drinks for long periods of time, plaque bacteria use that sugar to produce acids that attack your enamel, the hard surface of your tooth. Most carbonated soft drinks, including diet soda, are acidic and therefore, bad for your teeth.
Treatment Options for Rotten Tooth Smell
Here are some common treatments: Dental Cleaning: A professional dental cleaning can remove plaque and tartar buildup, reducing bad breath. Fillings: Fillings are used to repair cavities and restore the tooth's function.
When tooth decay goes untreated for too long, you can lose a large portion of your tooth and need an extraction. Advanced tooth decay can lead to a severe infection inside your tooth and under your gums (tooth abscess). This infection can spread throughout your body. Rarely, infection from a tooth abscess can be fatal.
As long as flossing is done thoroughly, the practice can reach locations below the gumline that brushing is unable to reach; therefore, flossing is seen to be effective before and after brushing, according to the ADA.
Food that sits too long between your teeth begins to rot. As it breaks down, it releases sulfur compounds that smell bad (like rotten eggs🤢). Flossing removes food debris, but if you are noticing a consistent unpleasant smell, it means those areas are not being cleaned well enough on a regular basis.
The treatment you receive for a foul-smelling tooth will depend on the cause of the smell. In some cases, simply cleaning the tooth and the area below the gum line may be enough. In the case of tooth decay, filling the cavity is usually enough to get rid of the smell.