Caring for dental implants is nearly identical to caring for your natural teeth, which is one reason why they are considered the gold standard for replacing missing teeth. With implants, it’s important to maintain healthy gum tissue so it stays firmly in place in the jaw.
Valley Dental Health is a Cockeysville, MD dental practice specializing in solving complex dental problems and supporting your cosmetic dentistry goals. Learn more about how to care for dental implants.
Can Dental Implants Get Infected?
The implant itself is a metal post surgically inserted in the jaw bone, so that piece itself will not decay or develop a cavity. When it comes to preventing implant problems, the main focus is keeping the gums and jaw bone healthy. Without a strong foundation, dental implants may shift in the mouth or fall out.
Preventing an infection called implantitis is key to maintaining the health of your dental implants. They can become covered in the same destructive bacteria that cause tooth decay in natural teeth, forming a rough, hard deposit called dental calculus. Once calculus has formed, a dental hygienist must remove it. Calculus can cause gum tissue to recede, bone loss, and may eventually cause the implant to fail.
How To Keep Dental Implants Healthy
To avoid dental calculus formation, dental implants need to be kept clean and free of plaque. You can do this with the same care you use to clean your natural teeth. Gently brush with an ADA-accepted toothbrush and a tartar control toothpaste, and floss every day. Pay special attention to all sides of the implant to ensure plaque doesn’t build up in hard-to-reach places.
Not only should you perform dental hygiene at home daily, but be sure to schedule regular visits to Valley Dental Health. It is recommended that you have a professional exam and cleaning every 3-6 months. You should also have your dental implants examined by x-ray annually.
Signs of Dental Implant Problems
Just like with gum disease, bleeding is usually the first sign of a problem, and can usually be successfully treated and reversed. If the bleeding continues and progresses to bone loss, or peri-implantitis, it is more difficult to treat and reverse. If implantitis is not treated, jaw bone can recede and risk implant failure.
What If I Want Implants Or Need My Implants Checked?
Dental implants are easy to care for and can last a lifetime with proper care. Valley Dental Health can help you with your restorative and cosmetic dentistry needs. Schedule an appointment online today or call us at (410) 803-5587 for a consultation.