As you get closer to the day of having your dental implant installed, you will need to know how to care for the implant after the procedure. One thing to be aware of is a potential infection. By knowing why infections happen and what you can do about it, you'll be able to get yourself back on the right track to recovery.
Why Infections Happen
An infection can happen around your dental implant if bacteria is able to get into the small space located between the crown and the post. The area can be hard to keep clean, so bacteria finding its way into the space will tend to thrive. You might not be able to identify an infected implant until it gets bad and starts showing some major symptoms.
What Symptoms Occur
One of the first things people notice when they have an infected dental implant is an odd taste in their mouth. It will then be followed by a noticeable odor in for form of bad breath. There can also be physical symptoms that are easy to spot, such as discolored gums that are red, as well as swelling and pain in the area of the implant. Experiencing multiple symptoms at the same time is a definite reason that you should be concerned.
How To Treat An Infected Implant
Infections are easy to treat when caught within the early stages. You'll have the best luck of treating an infection if you had the implant procedure done within a few weeks. A dentist will prescribe you an antibiotic to help kill the infection and prevent it from spreading. You'll need to stay on top of taking the antibiotic as prescribed, and do not stop taking it if the symptoms of pain go away. It will also help to rinse out your mouth regularly to keep the infected area as clean as possible.
Treatment several weeks after the implant procedure will be harder to treat. There is a risk that the implant could fail which could require going through the procedure all over again. You'll need to act quickly when you notice the first signs of an infection and visit your dentist right away.
If you think you may have an infection with your dental implant and are not sure, make an appointment with your dental services provider right away. It is better to be safe than sorry when treating this type of dental-related problem.
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