It’s normal to experience discomfort while your mouth is adjusting to your new implant dentures in Tysons. However, after a few weeks of experiencing symptoms, it’s time to have your implant dentist intervene. Maintaining bad oral habits and various other factors could be what’s impacting your new restorations and causing complications. Learn what could be causing your discomfort and how you can prevent issues with your implants below.
Infection
If you’re experiencing discomfort after having your new dental implants in Tysons for more than a couple weeks, it’s best to contact your dentist because you could have an infection. This could be because of a gum disease called peri-implantitis and result from smoking, poor oral hygiene, diabetes, or a weakened immune system. When it’s left untreated, it can cause bone deterioration and implant failure. Some symptoms include:
- Loose implants
- Irritated gums
- Chronic bad breath
- Pain and discomfort
- Visible pus
- Fever
- Chewing difficulty
- Bleeding while brushing
Your dentist will be able to quickly diagnose this infection and begin treatment to help maintain your implants.
Poor Oral Hygiene
While your implants are strong and durable, they’re not indestructible. When you don’t keep up with your oral hygiene routine, it can cause your mouth to become infested with bacteria. When this happens, an infection can result and destroy your gums and oral health. If you have irritated gums that are swollen, red, or bleeding, visit your dentist right away.
It’s also important to keep up with regular checkups and cleanings so your dental professional can catch any complications or issues before they progress. By regularly brushing and flossing your teeth as well as rinsing with an antibacterial mouthwash, you can enjoy your implants for longer.
Bruxism Or Teeth Grinding
Grinding your teeth causes unnecessary wear-and-tear and can destroy your restorations over time because of the constant pressure they’re enduring and shifting. This habit can cause jaw pain and headaches as well as problems such as TMJ disorder because of constant jaw strain.
By grinding and constantly pressing down on your restorations, it can cause cracks and damage all the way down to your jawbone. Because your jaw acts as the stable foundation for your implants, any damage to it can cause them to fail and prevent them from becoming fully fused with the bone. You can fight bruxism by visiting your dentist for a custom-made night guard that reduces the impact this habit has on your teeth.
After investing so much time and money into your healthy and bright new smile, you want to make sure they’re long-lasting. If your implants are causing you discomfort, visiting your dentist and treating the issues as soon as possible could save them!
About the Author
Dr. Bita Farhoumand is a Board-Certified Periodontist and Implantologist and was involved in multiple implant studies at the Department of Periodontics and the Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology and Department of Advanced Prosthodontics. She is an active member of several professional organizations including the American Academy of Periodontology, the Northeastern Society of Periodontists, and the Virginia Society of Periodontists. She is highly qualified and passionate about giving her patients great oral health and a smile they’re proud of. For questions or to schedule a consultation for dental implants, visit Dent-Plant Dental Implant Center’s website or contact 571-352-9006.