Breakthrough: bad filling was causing bb

[hope4now]

I think a major source of my chronic bb has been removed. An old plastic (composite) filling came loose (which has since been replaced with a ceramic crown.) The filling was infected and acted like a bacteria factory. It was a large filling between two molars. I didn't even know it was there.

I had noticed a smell around that tooth when flossing, but assumed it was gum disease. The gums are still sensitive around that tooth but the smell is gone. Even when I floss at the end of the day (before brushing or rinsing) there is no more smell.

My current dental regimen is:

Morning:

Water pik with warm water mixed with 1/2 teaspoon of Epsom salts. The Epsom salts seem to make my gums less sensitive. Then brush with Colgate Peroxyl (contains hydrogen peroxide) instead of toothpaste. I always found toothpaste to make my breath worse by the end of the day. The Peroxyl also whitens the teeth over time and kills odors.

Evening:

Floss and brush with Peroxyl. Flossing before brushing is recommended so any odors can be detected. If you find an odor that keeps coming back, have that tooth checked out by your dentist. No need to wait until it falls out.

I think the combination of water pik, hydrogen peroxide, and using a Sonicare toothbrush might have slowly loosened the bad filling. Now I use the Sonicare once in awhile but not every day.

History:

In the mid-1990s I had all mercury amalgam fillings replaced with composite. I had my wisdom teeth removed in 2010 and my tonsils out in 2011 but neither cured the bb. I think the tooth was the primary cause. Everything else (like the tonsil stones) was a side effect. Still, I don't regret getting the tonsils removed or the wisdom teeth.

I think this filling started going bad in 2006, which is when I started noticing the bb. For some reason, none of my dentists ever noticed a problem with it until it fell out.

[hope4now]

I'm sure this isn't the cause for many bb suferrers here, but if you detect a persistent smell from certain teeth when flossing, it's worth having your dentist check out the tooth.

[hope4now]

Update: I stopped using Peroxyl since it was starting to make my teeth sensitive.

Now I'm using OraWellness "Healthy Mouth Blend" essential oils instead of toothpaste. It helps to heal the gums and prevent gum disease. It also seems to slow down the plaque buildup between brushing.

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