A dental implant is a common procedure in dentistry today because of its remarkable success rate (about 98% in non-smokers). However, no medical procedure is risk-free. Although very unlikely, an implant infection can lead to damage around the jawbone or cause implant failure. But with the proper preventive measures, care, and maintenance, you can protect yourself from infections. If you are have gotten or preparing to go for a dental implant, this blog is for you. Here, you would be exposed to possible implant infections and how to avoid/treat them.
Signs of Implant infections
A dental implant usually requires minor, in-office surgery. Every surgery, no matter how minor, always has infection risks. Below are some common symptoms to watch out for.
- Loosening implant
- Gum Inflammation (e.g., red, bleeding, or swollen gums)
- Severe or moderate discomfort/pain when chewing
- Receding gums around your implant
How to properly prepare for your Dental Implant
Before going for your implant surgery, it’s vital to discuss any health condition or medications you take at that time with your dentist. For instance, medical conditions like diabetes can slow down your healing time, making you vulnerable to infections. Discussing this crucial information with your dentist would help him create a better treatment plan – reducing your chances of developing infections afterward.
How to avoid Dental Implant infection
Keep in mind that the chances of developing infections after a dental implant is usually low. However, the following tips will help you further decrease all possible chances after your surgery.
- Wash your mouth with saltwater. It’s not ideal to do this on the first day of your recovery. However, you can gently rinse your mouth to control bacterial infections on subsequent days.
- Avoid smoking. Smokes support the growth of bacteria in the mouth; hence, reducing your teeth’ ability to heal on time. If you can’t stop smoking, at least avoid it a week before and after the surgery.
- Keep brushing. Maintain the necessary daily routine (brushing) after your implant is successfully placed to keep it clean and bacteria-free.
- Take soft diets. In the weeks after your implant placement, ensure you eat soft foods and avoid gums/edibles that are hard or chewy.
An effective approach to ensuring minimal risk of implant infection is finding the right dentist for your implant surgery. A highly skilled and experienced implant surgery will use only the best and safest means to restore your teeth’ function and appearance.
How to Treat Implant Infections
There are two possible kinds of infections people experience; peri-implantitis and peri-implant mucositis. While the former attacks the tissues of the gums and bone, the latter only affects the gum tissue. Both are similar symptoms to other gum diseases and will cause the inflammation of nearby tissue.
Antibiotics are mainly used to treat dental implant infections, especially the ones occurring within the gums. However, if you notice any of the above symptoms (swelling, constant bleeding, or pain), don’t hesitate to contact your dentist for appropriate medication.
Our experienced dentists in Berwick offers safe and effective dental implant service to restore missing teeth, improve oral health, and give patients renewed confidence in their smiles. Contact us today to learn more!
