What silver does to infections is help fight off infections through several ways which include damaging cell membranes, binding to DNA and interfering with metabolism.
Silver ions work to fight infection by binding to membrane proteins and make the cell membrane more permeable.
Silver also helps fight infection by interfering with the cell's metabolism and causes the overproduction of reactive oxygen compounds.
Silver ions are transported into the cell and bind to the DNA, blocking cell division.
Silver is also often used in dentistry and has been a key component in dental amalgam filling for over a century.
Silver is also used in dental support fixtures and denture materials and can reduce bacterial infections.
Although silver can also kill human cells and bacteria can learn to survive the silver over time.
The bactericidal activity of silver is also well documented.
Silver's benefit in reducing or preventing infection can be seen in several applications, including as a topical treatment for burns and chronic wounds and as a coating for both temporary and permanent medical devices.