Bacterial infections are a serious matter on any part of your body. In the United States, bacterial infections are the leading cause of death in children and the elderly. Those with chronic diseases are at a greater risk for contacting bacterial infections. Bacterial infections can occur on your oral anatomy as well and can cause problems for both your oral and physical health. Patients with dental implants have According to the Adult and Dental Health Survey, about half-million adults have at least one dental implant. Dr. Snider and Marr want to remind their patients that with a rapid growth in the number of cases of peri-implantitis among dental implants patients, it is important to ensure that you maintain good oral practices to help prevent this bacterial disease.
About Bacteria
Bacteria are living one celled organisms that are small and look like spirals, rods, or balls. Bacteria usually comes with a negative connotation, but in fact, bacteria is a great provider of many bodily benefits. Most bacteria will help digest food, combat disease causing cells, and provide the body with vitamins. Healthy foods such as yogurt will be made with bacteria to help your digestive system.
Infectious bacteria is very harmful to your health and will make you ill. This type of bacteria also reproduces rapidly and will secrete toxins that will damage your tissue and make you feel ill.
Bacterial Infection in your Dental Implants
Peri-implantitis is a bacterial infection that is categorized as an inflammatory disease occurring around the gums and jawbone supporting your dental implants. The main complications cased by peri-implantitis is inflammation in the gums and a gradual recession of your jawbone. There is not a lot known about peri-implantitis and treatment is still under development. About ten years ago, professionals claimed that this disease did not exist, but the growing number of cases is becoming more pronounced.
The main cause of this disease would be the neglect of your dental implants. It is important to maintain oral hygiene to prevent this disease from developing underneath your abutment and crown. It is also important to attend regular in-office checkups and cleanings to catch any bacterial infections that are developing. There is a mild version of implant infection that occurs before peri-implantitis. It is called peri-implant mucositis, which is common and treatable, early signs include red and swollen gums and bleeding when probed. If peri-implant mucositis is undetected or untreated, it will develop into peri-implantitis. This harmful disease will attack your jawbone and your oral health, in turn also affecting the health of your body because you will loose oral function and strength. Bone loss is painless, which is why many people will not realize that they are developing a bacterial infection. The best measure to prevent peri-implantitis is to prevent plaque buildup and to have your teeth maintained and professionally cleaned.
Contact Dr. Ray Dr. Snider and Jamie L. Marr at Lake Country Dental
Bacterial infections in dental implants is a serious matter and all measure of prevention must be taken. Plaque buildup is dental implants worst enemy because this will cause harmful infectious bacteria to multiply and seep into your gums and deplete your jawbone. At Lake Country Dental in Ft. Worth, TX, we want our dental implants to have successful and healthy dental implants that will last them for a lifetime. Preserve your investment and maintain routine cleanings to keep harmful bacteria at bay. For more information or if you are a prospective patient and would like to discuss your candidacy, please contact us to schedule your FREE, no-obligation consultation today! We look forward to hearing from you soon!