Ways to Keep Your Dental Implants in Good Condition

One of the advantages to dental implants is that they do not require the level of ongoing maintenance that something like dentures do. Dentures, for example, need to be removed every night to brush and soak. This is not hugely time-consuming but it does require additional items to be purchased from the store, and it can be embarrassing for people that really don’t want to take their teeth out. With implants, there are no additional maintenance steps. By brushing and flossing along with visiting the dentist twice a year, implants will stay in good condition for years to come.

An advantage to implants is that they are not prone to infection. The root system is made of metal, and the tooth is made of ceramic. Both will not directly get cavities, and the tooth itself is stain resistant. In this way, they are actually superior to natural teeth. The ability to have them placed and not worry about infection is very freeing.

The challenge is that while dental implants are not prone to infection, the rest of the mouth still is. The risk of gum disease, for example, does not go away when implants are installed. When bacteria are left on the teeth and gums, gum disease can form which can create additional problems. The early stages of the disease, gingivitis, is easy to treat by simply removing bacteria and plaque from on, around, and under the gums. This can be done easily, and the gums will start to heal themselves after the fact. If, however, gum disease is left untreated the gums can recede to the point of exposing more of the tooth structure and the root system, which poses a risk to the health of the entire mouth.

A tooth infection works in a similar way. When a cavity is caught and treated right away, it can be removed with very little hassle or discomfort. The treatment is simple and traditionally requires a small filling. When an infection is not treated quickly, it can spread throughout the tooth and into the roots. Any time that the roots become infected, the risk of a dental abscess increases. This is where the infection gets so bad that it spreads into the floor of the mouth and jawbone.

Dental implants depend on the health of the jaw to stay in place and stay secure. Since the new root system is created by securing a metal post to the jawbone, if the bone becomes weak the metal post will not have the secure anchor that it once did. Avoiding this situation is incredibly important for the long-term success of implants and the health of the surrounding teeth. An infected jawbone can also lead to tooth loss overall so no matter how you look at it, treating oral infections immediately is critical for the health of your teeth, gums, and dental implants. To learn more about the process call Northside Dental Care at (978) 535-8244.