If you are someone who has a dental implant, you would know that your dental implant can function like a natural tooth. And it can become infected if you do not take proper care of your mouth.
The infection which grows around your dental implant is actually a gum disease and is called peri-implantitis. You, too, can face this due to the below reasons:
- If you smoke regularly
- Have got a bad oral hygiene
- Are you suffering from diabetes
- Have got a weak immune system
- Misaligned bite
- Are allergic to implants
And if you do not get this treated, you can lose your implant.
What Are Some Of The Symptoms
The symptoms you will have due to an infected dental implant are similar to the symptoms you will face when having gum disease. Here are some symptoms you should keep an eye out for:
- If your implant is loose
- Gums around the implant are red
- Your saliva is tasting icky, and you have a bad breath
- Pain and discomfort in the mouth
- Not being able to chew properly
- Feeling feverish
- Can see bleeding when brushing around the implant
If you have any of such symptoms, you must visit your dentist immediately for a checkup. Your dentist will check the implant, and if they diagnose peri-implantitis, you will have to have it treated. The best way for your dentist to examine you is by clinical exam and radiograph.
The purpose here is to stop the infection from progressing further and keep the implant in place. It also depends on the level of infection because in some cases, the symptoms are the first thing you notice, but in some cases, you may not notice the symptoms, and by the time you are diagnosed, the damage is done.
Hence, depending on your infection level, you will be prescribed some antibiotics, mouthwash, and other medication to get your implant back into place. The initial treatment will be medication, but if the infection does not come into control, the doctor will have to take extensive measures like surgery, laser treatment, or antimicrobial therapy.
Did you know that peri-implantitis is a very destructive and aggressive disease? If you have an infected implant, it can lead to severe illness and damage the health and other body organs. Hence the treatment is crucial.
What’s Next?
The most important thing your dentist wants is your health and wellbeing. If you have a dental implant and see the symptoms mentioned above, you should see your dentist for a consultation immediately. Your dentist will check and suggest a treatment plan. And once your dental implant is back to its maximum health, make sure you keep up the hygiene regimen. To learn more about how to treat infection around dental implants, visit Sima Family Dental now. Call us at 281-457-6444 to book your appointment.