Dental implants have allowed millions of people to replace their missing teeth with beautiful restorations that look, work, and feel just like the real thing. These amazing prosthetic devices have allowed many to enjoy a complete smile even after losing all of their teeth, which leads some to ask whether they need to worry about tooth decay or other oral infections after receiving them. Here’s why proper oral hygiene is still extremely important if you have one, a few, or many dental implants.
Can Dental Implants Get Cavities?
A dental implant consists of a post and an abutment piece made from titanium as well as a crown made from porcelain or another durable ceramic material. These substances are highly resistant to acid and cannot be metabolized by harmful oral bacteria, making it impossible for dental implants to develop cavities. While this might make some people think that having a mouth full of dental implants absolves them from practicing proper oral hygiene, nothing could be further from the truth.
What Oral Infections Can Affect Dental Implants?
While dental implants are impervious to tooth decay, the gums and bone tissue that support them are still susceptible to destructive infections. Gum disease is the leading cause of implant failure, and while it starts out almost imperceptibly small as inflammation called gingivitis, it will eventually develop into the more serious stage of periodontitis if left untreated, resulting in permanent damage such as gum recession, jawbone erosion, tooth loss, and implant failure.
How Can I Keep My Dental Implants Healthy?
The good news is that gum disease is incredibly easy to prevent if you practice excellent oral hygiene. One of the major selling points of dental implants is that they only require the same care and maintenance as natural teeth, meaning that you’ll need to stick to a daily routine of brushing, flossing, and rinsing with antibacterial mouthwash to eliminate bacteria, plaque, and food debris.
It’s equally important to keep up with seeing your dentist for regular exams and cleanings at least twice a year. Limiting your sugar consumption and refraining from using your smile to open packages or bottles can also protect your implants from harm.
Dental implants represent an investment in your health, appearance, and confidence, and it’s important to care for them properly so you can get the most out of them. With excellent care, dental implants can last for several decades or possibly a lifetime.
About the Author
Dr. Spiro Saati earned his dental doctorate at the Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine and serves as a clinical instructor at Harvard Dental School. He is also proud to be a member of the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, and the Academy of Osseointegration. His office in Peabody provides general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as dental implant services. To learn more about caring for your dental implants, contact his office online or dial (978) 531-2185.