Myths About Implants Keeping You From Developing Gum Disease Can Harm Your Gum Health

If you have lost a tooth due to either decay, trauma from an injury or genetics, you may have had it permanently replaced with a dental implant.

Implants are an excellent alternative to prosthetic bridges or dentures, and we help restore many of our patient’s smiles with implants, but there are some myths about implants that we are here to bust today.

Dental Implants and Gum Disease

One of the most common myths that we hear from patients is the assumption that now that they have dental implants, they are no longer at risk for developing gum disease. This is simply not true. Since dental implants act as a permanent replacement for your natural teeth, that means that they are very similar to natural teeth in every aspect. And anyone can develop gum disease if they do not care for their teeth properly. Just like your natural teeth, bacteria can build up around your dental implants if not cared for properly.

Brushing twice daily and flossing at least once per day greatly reduces your risk of developing periodontal disease (gum disease). Avoiding such activities such as smoking and drinking can also reduce your risk. Smoking and tobacco use decreases the saliva flow in the mouth, and this can cause the bacteria to thrive around the gum line, slowly eating away at the tissue and enamel of your teeth. Both natural teeth and dental implants are at risk.

Regular cleanings and checkups in our office are another great way to ensure that your implants and gums are staying healthy. With your exam, we check for pockets between the root of the tooth and the gum line, as these are ideal places for bacteria to hide.

We are pleased that you have chosen to restore your smile with dental implants, and together, we can ensure that they last a lifetime!