I have always envied those around me who seem to always have perfect smiles without even trying, because I feel like I was born with "bad teeth." While my teeth are in great shape now, it is only because I take great care to visit the dentist every six months for a check-up and cleaning and maintain good oral hygiene habits at home. While I used to get a lot of cavities, even though I thought I was doing "everything right" to keep them away, I am proud to say that I have been cavity-free for a couple of years now! I put a lot of research into what daily habits can wreak havoc on my teeth, and I thought it would be a shame not to share what has helped me with others who need the advice. I plan to post many oral health tips on my new blog!
Any type of surgical procedure has possible side effects that you'll need to know about. This is especially true when getting a dental implant. One potential side effect is an infection, which, in an extreme situation, can cause your new dental implant to become loose and fail. Some patients can tell they have an infection due to an odor coming from the surgical site or an odd taste in their mouth. Here's what should know if this happens to you.
Infection Reasons
An infection will likely form if bacteria gets into the gap that's between the post and the crown. It's a small space that is difficult to clean, so it will create an environment where bacteria will thrive. This is why you may not catch an infection until there are clear symptoms that you have one.
Infection Symptoms
When you have an infection, chances are you'll notice the taste and the odor coming from the surgical site first. However, there are some physical signs as well. The gums will be a red color, and there will be pain and swelling as well. All three symptoms at once is definitely a reason to be concerned.
Treatment Before Two Weeks
It will be easy to treat an infection when you catch it within two weeks of the surgical procedure. Your dentist will give you antibiotics with the goal of killing off the infection so it doesn't spread throughout your body. The ease of treating an infection is why it is ideal to catch it within the initial two week window following the procedure.
Be sure to take the entire course of antibiotics that is prescribed to you, even after it seems like the infection has gone away. You'll also need to rinse your mouth with mouthwash to help keep the area clean.
Treatment After Two Weeks
If you do not catch the infection early on, it will be hard for your dentist to treat it. You run a risk of having the implant fail due to a loose crown, which will require that the crown is removed and replaced. If the infection does spread to the bone, it's possible for the entire post to be removed so that the infection can be treated. It will also lead to the area being very painful, which will only get worse if the infection starts to spread further.
For more information on how to prevent an infection or catch it early, talk to a prosthodontist at clinics like Nova Premier Dental.
Share24 May 2018
