Dental Implants Need Looking After Too, Experts Say

1. Dental Implants Need Looking After Too, Experts Say Blue Sky Dentistry 28 Wellington Park Belfast BT9 6DL Phone: 028 9068 7722

2. Many people think of dental implants as a one-time, all- encompassing solution to all their teeth problems. These are perfect replicas of your teeth but have increased durability; in some ways, they almost seem indestructible. But the dental implant is not as indestructible as it seems. In fact, improper care and maintenance may actually cause more debilitating problems in the mouth, such as bone loss and bacterial infections, to name a few. Permanent implants may be a long-term solution to tooth loss, but it does not mean that it does not require looking after. The Dangers of Peri-Implantitis Although around 10,000 implant procedures are done each year in the UK alone, and although it is indeed a fast growing industry, it is far from being commonplace and not many people actually know how to take care of them once they get it. This presents a rather unique problem; more people are getting implants but very few of them actually have the understanding of how they operate, apart from replacing the teeth itself. Studies show that one of the dangers of not maintaining dental implants is peri-implantitis, a bacterial infection that forms around the implant, causing inflammation around the gums. In more serious cases, the infection may actually lead to bone loss in the jaw.

3. The reason most people get this rather debilitating infection is that they assume that a dental implant does not require any cleaning at all. While the implant itself is technically ‘immune’ to bacteria and plaque as it is an artificial tooth, the gums surrounding it are still natural, and this is where the bacterial infection lays a foothold complications. and causes If the person allows this bacterial infection to progress, the gums may become so weak that it can no longer hold the implants in place, eventually falling out. Additionally, as the bacteria infect the rest of the gums, the surrounding teeth will start separating and misaligning. This leads to more complications in the long run, and may eventually necessitate treatments. more costly Continuing Tooth Care Dental implants imitate natural teeth perfectly, so it only follows that they should receive the same level of care that its predecessor did. It is a good idea to brush and floss after every meal as bits of food can still get stuck between the implants, which in turn draw in bacteria. The bacteria may not exactly harm the teeth directly, but it can harm the gum tissues surrounding it. Finally, cleansing the mouth with water is a good way to ensure that bacterial levels in the mouth are kept to a minimum. Water causes the mouth to produce saliva, which is a natural bacteria killer. For people who enjoy sugary foods and drinks, as well as savoury dishes, a glass of water after every meal reduces the amount of bacteria in the mouth, making brushing and flossing a lot easier.

4. Dental implants may be a permanent solution to missing teeth, but it still needs taking care of. The dangers of peri-implantitis, after all, are more than just bacterial infection on the gums. It may lead to a repeated case of tooth loss, tooth misalignment, and even loss of bone in the jaw. Resources: http://www.blueskydentist.com/dental-implants-northern-ireland.html http://www.bbc.com/news/health-32086134 http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/dental-implants-topic-overview