Dental implants are one of the premier tooth replacement options. They’re strong, stable, durable, and have a level of realism that makes them incredibly popular among patients of all kinds. In some ways, you may even argue that they’re even better than natural teeth.
That might be a little bit of a stretch, but there is some truth to the idea that there are merits dental implants have that your teeth do not. Tooth decay is an excellent example. Here’s what you should know about dental implants and cavities.
Can Dental Implants Decay?
If you don’t know, tooth decay is actually a consequence of acid erosion. There are bacteria that live in your mouth that naturally eat sugars and secrete acids; these acids dissolve the enamel over time.
The dental implants you’re likely to get will have porcelain restorations, and thankfully, porcelain is heavily resistant to this kind of acid erosion. For that reason, you don’t have to worry very much about your dental implant experiencing tooth decay.
Dental Implants and Bacteria
That said, you can’t neglect your dental hygiene just because you have a dental implant. Of course, your natural teeth can still get cavities, but there are also some consequences to the implant itself if you don’t care for it properly.
The biggest one is infection. When bacteria starts to build up, it may eventually begin to seep under the gum line and attack the jawbone holding the tooth in place. This is known as peri-implantitis, and it can put the integrity of your dental implant at risk.
How to Maintain Your Dental Implants
If you want your dental implants to last for as long as possible, you need to do everything that you can to maintain them. Thankfully, that’s fairly simple.
You don’t really have to do anything different from what you normally would to take care of your teeth. Brush it twice a day, floss it daily, and use antibacterial mouthwash to keep plaque under control. Then all you have to do is see your dentist biannually for regular cleanings and your dental implants will stick around for a long time to come.
About the Author
Dr. Lindsey Hammond is a Tulsa native who is happy to be able to help her friends and members of her community support their oral health. She works closely alongside her dental team to ensure that each of her patients gets the highest quality of oral healthcare possible. She received her dental degree from the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry. She is currently a member of the American Dental Association and the American Academy of General Dentistry.
If you have any questions about dental implants, he can be reached at his website or by phone at (918) 254-8686.