I keep seeing blood around one of my dental implants. It is not constant, but it happens every day. It’s mostly when I floss around it or brush it. Sometimes I don’t notice it, but then I will taste blood in my mouth and look at the implant and there is blood around it. I’ve had the implant for 8 months now. It isn’t still healing is it? Vicente

Vicente – Minor bleeding, swelling, and bruising after dental implant surgery gets better after a few days. If you are noticing blood around an implant eight months after surgery, you need to have the implant examined.

There may be in infection around the implant, or the problem may a result of periodontitis (or gum disease). You may also notice swelling, a bad taste in your mouth, bad breath, or loosening of the implant. An infection needs to be quickly treated, and bacteria around the implant need to be removed to prevent the implant from loosening and requiring replacement. You may be prescribed an antibiotic or an antibacterial mouthwash to help eliminate the infection.

While a dental implant looks and functions like a natural tooth, it can also harbor infection like a natural tooth. Diligent oral hygiene is critical for the health and function of implants. A conscientious dentist try to identify the cause of the bleeding so it can be treated and prevented in the future.

This post is sponsored by Lowell, MA dentist Dr. Michael Szarek.