Dental implants have become one of the most popular teeth replacement systems for patients with missing teeth because of its ability to transform smiles and provide patients with oral heath and strength. Maintaining dental implants is crucial to its successful treatment and providing patients with long lasting benefits. Dental implant patients are at risk for developing bacterial infections with their dental implants if there is neglect with oral hygiene. Bacteria will develop around your gums, causing them to inflame and bleed. If unattended, it will deplete your jawbone and weaken your dental implants, loosening its anchorage and falling out. Dr. Andrew G. Mortensen in Fountain Valley, CA would like to remind his patients about the importance of maintaining oral hygiene and the negative effects that bacterial infections can have on your oral anatomy.
Background on Bacteria
Bacteria are very small, one celled organisms that look like spears, balls, or rods. Most bacteria is actually not harmful to our bodies and some will greatly benefit our bodies. Good bacteria will help us digest food, destroy harmful disease causing cells, and will provide our bodies with much needed vitamins. Infectious bacteria is the type that can be detrimental to your health. Infectious bacteria will make you feel ill because it reproduces quickly and develops, giving off toxins that will damage tissue.
Bacterial infections with dental implants can affect the overall health of your body. Peri-implantitits is a inflammatory disease that inflames the gums and gradually depletes the jawbone that is supporting the implant. Peri-implantitis is not a well known disease and there are not many options for treatment in it. About ten years ago, this disease was thought to not exist, but more cases of this disease are increasing and causing alarm.
According to the Adult Dental Health Survey, half-million people have at least one dental implant. With the rise in peri-implantitis cases, it is important that all dental implant patients understand that oral hygiene is key in keeping your dental implants healthy. This disease should not ward people with missing teeth to reconsider getting dental implants because it is still a very effective and reliable teeth replacement system, however it does require diligent cleaning to keep them healthy and long lasting.
There is a mild version of peri-impantitis called peri-implant mucositis, which is common and treatable if caught in time. The early signs of a peri-implant mucositis infection are red and swollen gum and bleeding when probed. In-office cleanings and checkups are very crucial in ensuring that your implants do not develop any harmful bacteria underneath your abutment and crown. Bone loss is painless and many people will not realize that their jawbone is depleting.
Contact Dr. Andrew G. Mortensen in Fountain Valley, CA
Bacterial infections can develop into serious oral issues that will affect the well being of your oral anatomy and will not only ruin the aesthetics of your dental implants, but it will gradually infect the well being of your whole body. Dental implants can provide miising teteh with many benefits, but it does require maintenance and cleaning to receive these benefits. If you have any further questions regarding bacterial infections and your dental implants, or if you are a prospective patient, please contact us to schedule your FREE, no-obligation consultation today! We hope to hear from you soon!