Oh no, I'm terrified it's a bone infection now. I can't see what else it could be. I didn't smoke while it was healing but I did use nicotine patches and maybe they're as bad. I had a vodka and coke when we were out for dinner for my granny's birthday, which was only two weeks after the extraction. I wish I'd known alcohol should be avoided.

My doctor said the indigestion was caused by the stomach ulcer. It was treated then and I haven't had any problems for years. I can't see any white on my tongue. It looks pink and when I look really closely, there are tiny pink dots on it. I'm not sure if that's normal. I do tongue scraping and there doesn't seem to be any odour from it.

I'll ask my dentist to X-ray it again but if it's too early and isn't obvious, is there anything else I can do? Is there any type of specialist I should see? It's really scary to think of a bone infection. I'm imagining thay'll have to cut out lots of bone which is terrifying.

ripply,

Before you panic, get the xray done. Explain your constant mouth odor to the dentist. Is he an oral surgeon or a general dentist?

Nicotine lowers the body's natural healing ability. So yes, they could have affected the healing. Any smoking that you are doing is just adding to the problem. There is probably not better time to stop than now.

Bryanna

He's an oral surgeon, not a general dentist.

I had a previous extraction done by a general dentist and it was a nightmare. It took 2 hours and I ended up with nerve damage on that side. He also chipped other teeth in the process. I didn't have any bad breath after though!

I went to an oral surgeon as I thought he would be more experienced and it has seemed that way as the extraction was a lot better than last time and I'd no chronic numbness or pain after. It seemed to heal up really well.

ripply,

Okay. I'm sorry you had such as awful experience with the other dentist and extraction. Yes, it is usually best to see an oral surgeon for the removal of a tooth but like all professions, there are good and bad in all of them.

I still recommend the xray and make sure you explain the foul odor to the dentist. Also, tell him you smoked and still smoke. Although there is always evidence of smoking in a patients mouth so he most likely already knew that. But tell him anyway.

Also, ask him if he was certain that there was no sinus perforation or sinus involvement with either the root of this tooth or during the extraction. Also, ask him if the adjacent look healthy on the xray.

If you are comfortable ... you can post the xray on this forum.

Bryanna

I've been to see the oral surgeon again. He took x-Rays and spent ages looking around my mouth, gums and other teeth. He showed me the x-Ray and the bone has filled in where the tooth was extracted. He said it all looks great and that he can't detect any odour. But I'm sure there is!

He was honest and said he has no idea what the problem is. He insisted that he can't smell anything but suggested seeing my doctor about it as he can't find any dental reason. So, my GP has prescribed Amoxicillin (thinking it must be a sinus infection) and I've been taking them for a day now. I don't think they're going to help as I told them I have no sinus pain, but it's all the doctor will offer and I'm so desperate I'll try anything.

ripply,

Did the dentist tell you that the bone had filled in or is that just your interpretation of the xray? The reason I ask is because it takes a few months to see the initial growth of new bone in a tooth socket and up to one full year before it fills in completely.

Mouth odor can occur ... from a sinus infection .... from food debris that is caught in the crevices of the tonsils or caught in the crevices of the tongue. It can also occur from a digestive disorder. Smoking also causes bad breath.

If you use mouthwash on a daily basis, that too can contribute to bad breath because the chemicals kill all of the bacteria in the mouth, both the good and the bad which unfavorably alter the chemistry and pH of the saliva.

Also, certain foods can contribute to bad breath.

So perhaps you could pay close attention to when you notice the odor and when you don't as that may give you a clue as to what is causing it.

Bryanna

On the x-Ray, there was new growth of bone in the extraction socket. My dentist said it had started to fill in, but it would take much longer to be filled completely. It looked to me like there was no gap at all but he told me that was gum tissue and pointed out what was bone and what wasn't.

I was worried about a sinus communication and he was sure that wasn't an issue. I'm just convinced this problem must be something to do with this extraction, rather than any diet or other issue. It's too much of a coincidence since it started so soon after, and nothing else has changed.

Bryanna, could this bone starting to fill in so quickly be a bad sign? I keep thinking maybe that means infection or something. I did tell him I was worried about this but he kept saying it was fine.