If it’s caught early, swelling around dental implants can be treated. In most cases, swelling can also be prevented. How? Both you and your implant dentist can help.

If you just received dental implants, swelling around the surgical site is normal. It will peak in two to three days and should progressively diminish. Call your dentist if the swelling doesn’t resolve or if it gets worse.

Your dentist’s role

• Proper planning and placement – Before you receive dental implants, proper planning is required to aid healing. 3-D diagnostic studies reveal if you have enough jawbone to support implants. And digital placement ensures the fixtures are positioned in the best location. If your dentist takes these precautions, it can help prevent swelling later.
• Examine the dental implant – If you’re experiencing swelling around the dental implant, your dentist will check the position of the fixture and ensure it is not damaged. If an implant is defective, your jawbone can permanently detach from it. The implant will need to be removed, and after a few months of healing, it will be replaced.
• Identify the cause of infection – If debris is trapped between your gums and the implant, or beneath the implant crown, bacteria will grow and cause infection. Smoking, certain medical conditions, and gum disease can also cause infection.
• Treat the swelling – After cleaning and disinfecting the area, your dentist will decide if antibiotics should be prescribed to treat the infection.

What can you do?

Diligent oral hygiene, proper nutrition, and avoiding smoking and tobacco use can help you maintain a clean environment for dental implants.

• Your diet – Popcorn, chips, nuts, shells and other food can get stuck between your gums and your dental implant. Try to avoid or limit these foods.
• Oral hygiene – Brush your teeth twice daily and thoroughly floss between dental implants to loosen trapped food.
• Smoking – Smoking restricts blood vessels and the flow of blood. Avoiding the habit can prevent infection or help infection around a dental implant health.
• Dental exams – Keep your regularly scheduled appointments for dental cleanings and exams. Your dentist and dental hygienist will examine the area around your dental implants to spot signs of infected oral tissue. Prompt detection and treatment can help prevent dental implant failure.

An infection around dental implant can affect your gums, weaken your jawbone, and leave the implant without proper support. If you have swelling, pain, or redness around your dental implant, schedule an appointment with your dentist for an examination.

This post is sponsored by Baton Rouge dentist Dr. Steven Brooksher.