Cavities are one of the most common dental problems; they afflict more than 90% of people at some point in their lives. But what if some of your natural teeth have been replaced by dental implants? You might have heard that they are similar to real dentition in many ways, so it is normal to wonder if they are also vulnerable to decay. This blog post explains what you should know.
Dental Implants Cannot Get Cavities
Cavities form when bacteria in the mouth produce acids that erode the enamel of natural teeth. This typically occurs when food particles, especially those containing sugar or carbohydrates, are left on or between teeth for prolonged periods.
Dental implants have a very different composition than natural teeth. They are made from biocompatible materials such as titanium and porcelain, which are resistant to bacterial erosion and acid damage. Since none of these components are made of organic material, they are immune to cavities.
That sounds pretty good, right? It is! However, it is still vital that you pay close attention to oral hygiene.
Oral Hygiene Is Still Important
When you think about the reasons for brushing and flossing, one of the biggest motivations is cavity prevention. However, good oral hygiene does so much more than that! In fact, a thorough oral cleaning routine remains absolutely vital, even if you do not have any natural teeth left.
Neglecting hygiene can allow harmful bacteria to multiply and thrive in your mouth. If they sneak beneath the gumline, they can lead to dangerous infections, such as peri-implantitis. This inflammatory condition affects the gums and bone around the implant, potentially causing bone loss, which can cause the implant to loosen. Peri-implantitis is the leading cause of dental implant failure.
Protect Your Smile
Fortunately, peri-implantitis and other complications related to bacterial growth are largely preventable via a thorough oral hygiene routine. To protect your dental implants and oral health:
- Brush regularly using a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste.
- Use interdental tools such as floss designed for implants or water flossers to remove plaque and debris. (Keep in mind that you should regularly clean beneath your implant bridge or denture.)
- Consider using antibacterial mouth rinse to reduce bacteria and protect against infections.
- Attend routine dental visits. These allow your care team to assess your implant health and address issues before they seriously threaten your implants or your oral health. Dentists can also offer personalized advice to help you design an effective at-home oral hygiene routine.
Dental implants cannot get cavities, but that fact does not diminish the importance of good oral care habits!
Meet the Practice
At Charm Smile Dental in Concord, our three highly skilled dentists are enthusiastic about the benefits of dental implants and enjoy helping patients replace lost teeth. We offer start-to-finish dental implant services using highly advanced technology. We are also happy to coach patients on how they can maintain their oral health at home. To learn more about how we may be able to serve you, contact our office at 603-228-0123.