Peri-implant diseases occur when microbes attack the tissues around the implant. The diseases trigger tissue inflammations, slow down the healing process, and increase the risk of implant failure. Below are some risk factors for peri-implant diseases.

Poor Oral Hygiene

Poor oral hygiene is a huge risk for peri-implant disease. If you don't keep your mouth clean, the organic debris in your mouth (food remains) feed bacteria that grow and multiply. The bacteria can migrate to the implant site and interfere with the healing process. Don't forget that peri-implant disease is caused by microbiological factors — mainly bacteria.

History of Periodontitis

Periodontitis is an extreme form of infection that develops if you don't treat gum infection in its early stages. Some people are more susceptible to periodontitis than others. Genetic factors, smoking, and inadequate treatment of oral infections are some of the factors that increase the risk of periodontitis. The microbes that cause periodontitis are the same ones that can trigger peri-implant diseases. Therefore, your risk of peri-implant disease is high if you have a history of periodontitis.

Poor Occlusion

Occlusion refers to the alignment of teeth when you close your mouth. Poor occlusion means your teeth don't align perfectly when you close your mouth. One of the effects of poor occlusion is that some teeth experience more forces than others because they are longer (due to their abnormal angle) than the adjacent teeth.

If your dental implant is experiencing such heightened forces, then the excess force can lead to micro-fractures on the jawbone around the implant. The other tissues, such as ligaments and gum tissues can also be affected by the excess forces. All these will make it easy for the bacteria to attack the bone and tissues around the implant.

Systemic Diseases

Systemic diseases are those that affect the entire body rather than a specific part or organ of the body. Examples of systemic diseases include diabetes, high blood pressure, and arthritis. It is not exactly clear how systemic diseases increase your risk of peri-implant diseases. One theory is that the diseases weaken the immune system, which makes it easy for oral bacteria to attack oral tissues.

Tobacco

Lastly, the use of tobacco also increases your risk of peri-implant diseases. Tobacco affects your oral health in more ways than one. For example, tobacco decreases the amount of oxygen available to your oral tissues and also decreases blood flow to the implant site. This makes it difficult for your body, specifically the tissues around the implant site and increases the risk of peri-implant diseases.

You have a role to play to minimize your risk of peri-implant disease. For example, you should maintain good oral hygiene and stop smoking. Your dentist will advise you on further ways of taking care of your dental implant; follow their advice to the letter.

For more information, contact a local dentist.