Dental implant dentistry has come a long way in the past few decades. This means that implants are becoming more and more successful with fewer side effects and complications. However, there are still some things that you should be concerned about after your implant is secured. The development of peri-implantitis is one such thing. Keep reading to learn how you can reduce your risk of developing it.
Get Used to Eating
Peri-implantitis is an inflammatory tissue condition that is very similar to periodontal disease or gum disease. However, instead of affecting the natural teeth, it involves artificial implant teeth instead. Like other gum infections, the disease involves the soft tissues around the tooth. And, over time, it can involve the bone and the blood vessels within the jaw. This can result in implant loss in the most serious cases.
The most common cause of peri-implantitis is excessive pressure on the implant tooth. This pressure damages the soft tissues and leads to gum inflammation. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to know when you are placing excessive pressure on your implant tooth since it holds no internal nerve structure.
So, to prevent the inflammatory condition, you should start by eating soft foods and using your new implant tooth gently to bite and chew. Over time, you will get used to the feel of the implant and you can move on to tougher and harder foods. However, you should inspect the gums around the implant often for signs of distress, like bleeding, redness, and swelling. Meet with your dental implant dentistry professional if you notice these things.
Invest in Your Oral Care
Like other types of gum diseases, peri-implantitis can develop due to the spread of bacteria. This means keeping your gums healthy across the entirety of the mouth. Floss and brush your natural teeth and then use your special tools to clean around the implant. When it comes to brushing, use a toothbrush with a narrow head to get around the edges of the implant. Small-tufted brushes meant to clean around bridges and crowns work well too, and these products are disposable to reduce the risk of reintroducing bacteria into the oral cavity.
Crown and bridge floss is ideal to get just underneath the gums and around tight areas of the implant. Use the thick middle section to polish the tooth right where it meets the gum tissues.
To break up any hard calcifications on the implant, use your irrigator with a concentrated water tip.
For more information about dental implants, contact a local dentist.
Share2 July 2020
Do you care for your teeth like you should? Most people brush their teeth, but so many people rush through this process and are not as careful as they should be. Still others avoid flossing. A lack of dental care over the years can lead to increased decay. Thankfully, we have dentists who can treat decay with fillings, crowns, and in some cases, root canals. Dentists also provide preventative care. They can clean your teeth and use things like fluoride treatments to strengthen your enamel. The more you know about dental care, the better you'll be able to care for your mouth, so feel free to read some of the articles on this website.