When San Francisco residents visit our office for their initial dental implants consultation, one thing many of them are concerned about is the risk of oral health conditions after they’ve received their implants. This is a great question!
Our doctors at SF Oral Surgery want your dental implants procedure to be successful, which is why we’re here to explain what types of conditions could occur when you have dental implants and what you can do to ensure your gums and jawbone stay strong and healthy.
Dental Implants And Cavities
Our San Francisco patients are always happy to hear that their dental implants cannot get cavities! Because dental implants are made out of titanium and are not porous like your natural teeth, they are immune to the bacteria that cause tooth decay. However, if you have dental implants but still have some natural teeth surrounding them, those natural teeth are still susceptible to cavities. Our doctors at SF Oral Surgery recommend patients with both dental implants and natural teeth visit their general dentist more frequently for cleanings to protect their teeth against bacteria that could lead to cavities.
Dental Implants And Gum Disease
Gum disease is an entirely different story. In fact, gum disease is one of the biggest causes of dental implant failure. So, it goes without saying that healthy gums are the key to having successful dental implants.
But why are your new prosthetic teeth susceptible at all? After all, we even told you that dental implants are made of metal. Shouldn’t they withstand anything? Well, gum disease affects the gums – not the dental implants, abutments, or crowns. When San Francisco patients have gum disease your gums begin to pull back from your tooth roots, or dental implants, and leave your teeth lacking support. Not only that but as the gums expose the dental implants, bacteria can make its way down into your jawbone. If your gum disease is not addressed, it could lead to dental implant loss.
Dental Implants And Proper Oral Hygiene
In order to protect your dental implants from complications or failure, it is important that San Francisco patients practice proper oral hygiene, consistently. This includes:
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- Brushing twice a day
- Flossing once a day
- Using antibacterial mouthwash once a day
- Visiting your general dentist for regular cleanings
Because gum disease is hard to self-diagnose, many people don’t realize they have gum disease until they visit their dentist. Therefore, some dental professionals will request you visit them for checkups more frequently than twice a year. This is to ensure any early signs of infection or disease are found early and treated properly.
Learn More About Dental Implants And How They Can Change Your Life!
Our friendly, devoted, and conscientious doctors at SF Oral Surgery are leaders in implant dentistry and are committed to providing our San Francisco patients with the highest degree of care and services possible. Our highly trained and fully certified surgical staff is able to make your anesthetic and surgical experience a safe and pleasant one.
Call our office today at (415) 776-6710 to schedule your initial consultation with one of our doctors.
