WHAT’S THAT SMELL? One of the best things about dental implants is that they function and look like natural teeth! However, you must take care of them. Your dental implants can become infected if you have poor oral hygiene habits, eat foods that are detrimental to your teeth, aren’t going to your dentist regularly, or not drinking enough water. Your Dental Implants May be Infected!
YOUR HAVE PUS OR BLOOD DISCHARGE NEAR THE IMPLANT. For those who have piercings, you can tell if it’s not healing correctly if it’s swollen and discharging pus. The same can be said about your implants! If your implant is leaking pus or if your gums are bleeding, it’s an indicator of poor hygiene and lack of regular care — causing your implant to become infected. YOUR IMPLANT FEELS LOOSE. When you’re experiencing inflammation, it can cause bone loss and other health issues. In addition, it can cause your implant to loosen, leading to you losing it. AN X-RAY SHOWS SIGNS OF AN INFECTION. While this appears to be a tell-tale sign, you’d be surprised how many people avoid seeing the dentist. Dental phobia hinders many from seeing their dentist and causes their oral health to decline. While the signs above can help you determine if something is wrong, many people don’t know their implants are infected until they visit for an appointment.
But how can you tell if your dental implants are infected? Here are five signs you should be on the lookout for.
ODD ODORS AND TASTES ARE COMING FROM YOUR IMPLANTS. A strong indication that your implant is infected is when a foul odor stemming from your implant causes your breath to smell. You may also taste something odd in your mouth when eating or drinking. YOU HAVE DIFFICULTY CHEWING. If your implant is infected, it can become inflamed, which can cause co- occurring pain and sensitivity. You may have trouble chewing your food when your implant is severely infected.
MAY IS BETTER SLEEP MONTH!
How Can Dentists Help With Sleep Apnea?
Unless your partner tells you that you snore, toss and turn, or have breathing issues
when you sleep, you’ll probably never know.
One of the most well-known sleep disorders is sleep apnea. According to the National Sleep Foundation, around 18 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea. But what exactly is it? Sleep apnea is a health problem that affects your breathing when you’re asleep — your breathing will stop and restart — and it can worsen if untreated. HOW CAN HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS TEST FOR SLEEP APNEA? If you’re concerned about your sleeping patterns or believe you have sleep apnea, a specialized sleep disorder dentist can conduct a sleep study. During the study, you will have to sleep with surface electrodes on your face and scalp. These electrodes monitor your brain and muscle activity and record your patterns. A special belt around your chest and abdomen will also help measure your breathing. WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE SLEEP STUDY? Once your data is collected and analyzed, your dentist will conduct a detailed assessment of your mouth if you show signs of sleep apnea. They will look at the size of your tongue, the condition of the muscles and tissue in the back of your throat, the size of your jaw, and other characteristics that may contribute to your breathing problems.
WHAT ARE THE TREATMENT OPTIONS? The most common treatment dentists suggest is a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine you can wear while asleep. However, if you cannot wear the device, your health care provider might recommend wearing oral appliances such as mandibular advancement devices (MADs), which are similar to athletic mouthguards. The device will fit over your upper and lower sets of teeth to hold the lower jaw and tongue in a forward position at night. It will help keep the tissues in your throat from blocking your airways when you sleep.
Additionally, health care professionals may recommend a tongue-retaining mouthpiece to keep your tongue from falling back into your breathing airway.
While most dental offices do not treat sleep apnea, some offices specialize in the disorder. If your primary dental provider doesn’t provide treatments for sleep apnea, don’t worry; they will direct you to a specialized office that can help.
2 • www.dentalimplantsnorthdakota.com
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator