Diseases and disorders can interrupt life and make even the most mundane tasks seem difficult or even impossible. They also cause pain, localized in the affected area but able to spread to other parts of your body; heart diseases can make arms and legs ache, and seasonal allergies can make you itch. But did you know the different maladies you pick up over time can also affect how your dental implants work, and if you can even have any? If you're wondering what may be causing issues with your dental implants -- and if any advances have been made to help out -- then here's what you need to know.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a fact of life for almost 30 million Americans -- up from 25 million in 2010. This disease is known to affect almost every area of your life, but its affect on your dental health can be just as insidious, if a bit more subtle. The good news is, however, that a brighter future looms ahead.
For years, dentists were advised not to install dental implants in their patients with diabetes, because of the slow healing factor that accompanies both types of the disease. However, a late 2014 study revealed that patients with diabetes don't recover any slower than patients without diabetes, meaning that sparkling new teeth could be right away the corner for millions who couldn't have them before.
Depression
Depression rates in the United States are up as well -- as many in 1 in 10 Americans are affected, with the number of people diagnosed with clinical depression increasing by 20 percent each year. This mental health concern can have ramifications in every area of your life, but your dental implants may be one you haven't considered -- until now.
Antidepressants have the nasty side effect of reducing the formation of your bones and increasing your risk for bone fractures, which can be bad news if you're hoping to keep your implants safe and secure, much less add to them. A new study in January 2015 has shown that the most common form of antidepressant -- called SSRIs, which stands for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors -- can affect your dental implants and even prevent you from having new ones put in, due to the high rate of failure for patients on antidepressants.
While there's not an easy fix, the study is relatively new and the medical field hasn't been given time get to find a workaround. If there's one thing that can be gleaned from the success of trials with patients who have diabetes, it's that the science of dental implants is constantly evolving and changing. For more information, contact a clinic such as Contemporary Dentistry - Complete Dental Health.
Share24 February 2015
Toddlers should see a dentist for the first time by the age of twelve months or by the time their first tooth comes in. But if you are a parent with toddlers anything like mine, the prospect of going to the dentist (let alone anywhere!) can be pretty intimidating. My kids were a handful growing up. They had tantrums any time we would have to sit in a waiting room, and they refused to get in the dentist's chair during their first few visits. So, I had to employ a professional to help me make the transition to finally getting them in that dental chair without all the screaming and crying. I know I'm not the only parent in this situation, so I decided to share the information I've learned with others who can use a little help. You can find all my advice right here on these pages!