Whether you live in Galesburg and already have dental implants or you’re considering getting them, it’s important that you know about the risk factors that periodontal disease adds to the equation. Periodontal disease often referred to as gum disease, is a reason why our doctors might tell those interested in dental implants that they aren’t a candidate for them. This is because the ideal dental implants patient should be a non-smoker who is in good medical and oral health.
What Is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease is an infection that often occurs in the gums of many men and women in Galesburg. While it’s usually caused by not practicing proper oral hygiene, in some cases it can be caused by genetics, no matter how regimented the patient is in caring for his or her teeth and gums. Periodontal disease can start with inflamed gums that sometimes bleed, then progress to gums that develop deep pockets of pus, and even turn into situations that cause affected patients to lose teeth or jawbone tissue!
Associated Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons take pride in treating our patients like friends and family, and as such our focus is on your optimal health and well-being. Which is why we want to stress how serious periodontal disease is. We generally prefer that our dental implant patients have healthy gums before moving forward with the placement of dental implants. But just because suffer from gum disease doesn’t mean that dental implants are off the table for good. The great news is that for our patients in Galesburg, periodontal disease is treatable and that with the proper treatment plan its effects can be reversed and you can become a candidate for dental implants.
What if I Already Have Dental Implants?
If you’re a Galesburg resident who already has dental implants, it’s essential that you properly care for them so you can prevent periodontal disease from occurring. This means that you should:
- Brush your dental implants and any remaining teeth you may have twice a day
- Floss once a day
- Use antibacterial mouthwash once a day
- Visit your dentist every six months for a teeth cleaning and routine check up
- Call our office immediately if you are experiencing any of the signs above of gum disease
The sooner that gum disease is diagnosed, the faster and easier it is to treat and reverse its effects. That means, if you already have dental implants and then develop gum disease, early diagnosis is key to prevent your case of periodontal disease from progressing into a more serious one and preserving your dental implants for your lifetime.
Consulting with Our Doctors
Whether you want or already have dental implants, our doctors are always happy to help you understand the importance of avoiding periodontal disease. If you have concerns you may be showing signs of this condition, call us to schedule an appointment. We’re happy to evaluate your overall oral health to determine if you have periodontal disease and if necessary, get you on a proper treatment plan so we can save your dental implants, or make you a viable candidate in the future.
To schedule an appointment with our doctors, call us today at (309) 232-8252.
