I got a new dental crown three months ago and have increased saliva flow. It’s embarrassing. Also, my lips are chapped, and I have sores in the corner of my mouth. I also have a bitter taste and bad breath that get worse whenever I eat anything with sugar or gluten. My mouth is so irritated that brushing and flossing is uncomfortable. Is this a yeast infection from the dental work? – Thank you. Catalina from Vancouver, WA
Catalina,
Dental crowns
You have many concerns, some of which may be related to dental treatment or oral hygiene. When you get a new dental crown, you can expect temporary sensitivity in the tooth.
- Sores in mouth corners and yeast infections. These signs are usually from stress, which may result from stressful dental visits. Some people experience increased sensitivity in their mouth or burning mouth syndrome after a stressful dental appointment.
- Bad breath and bitter taste. These symptoms most likely require better oral hygiene, including regular flossing.
- Chapped lips. Certain medications, constantly licking your lips, or some health conditions can cause dry lips. However, when you have sores in the corners of your mouth, you may lick your lips more than usual, causing dryness.
We recommend being diligent and thorough with brushing after every meal and flossing at least once daily despite the discomfort in your mouth. Increased oral hygiene should help with bad breath and bitter taste. If the yeast infection doesn’t go away, your dentist may prescribe an antibiotic called Nystatin to resolve it. If you continue to have concerns about your dental crown or oral health, you can get a second opinion from a skilled cosmetic dentist.
Beverly Hills accredited Fellow of cosmetic dentistry, Dr. Brian LeSage, sponsors this post. Dr. LeSage’s conservative approach preserves as much tooth structure as possible. He prefers and uses dental onlays whenever possible.