Whether you’re a Peoria resident with an entire mouth full of dental implants, or you merely have a few of them strategically placed in your mouth to replace teeth that have fallen out or required tooth extraction, you’re likely very curious about the upkeep and maintenance of your new replacement teeth. And it makes sense. Getting dental implants is an investment financially, time-wise and in your tooth functionality and appearance. Dental implants patients want to know how to care for their new teeth and increase their longevity.
One of the most common questions about dental implants maintenance that our doctors at Associated Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons get is, “If I have dental implants, can I still get cavities?” It’s no surprise that this is a common question amongst our patients. After all, getting dental implants is an intensive oral surgical process. After you’ve invested the time and money into getting dental implants, you want to make sure they’re going to stay cavity-free and not require additional procedures. As such, our dental implants patients are often relieved to hear that no, dental implants cannot get cavities.
Why Don’t Dental Implants Get Cavities
Cavities occur in natural teeth when plaque, tartar, and bacteria break down the tooth, causing a cavity to form. Even though they look natural, dental implants are synthetic. That means they aren’t susceptible to the damage that plaque, tartar, and bacteria inflict on natural teeth.
Dental Implant Patients in Peoria Still Need to Practice Proper Oral Hygiene
Even though people living in Peoria who have dental implants don’t need to worry about their replacement teeth developing cavities, they still need to practice proper oral hygiene to protect their dental implants and ensure their success rate. You see, dental implants are designed to last a lifetime and have a very low failure rate. However, if you don’t properly care for them, it is possible that your dental implants either won’t fuse with your jawbone (which is necessary to ensure implant success) or you’ll develop an implant-threatening infection called peri-implantitis.
Even if you have an entire mouth full of dental implants that cannot get cavities, Peoria patients should:
- Brush their teeth every morning and every night
- Floss every single day
- Use an antibacterial mouthwash every day
- Visit their dentist twice a year (every six months) for regular teeth cleanings (yes, dental implants need cleanings, too!)
- See us immediately if you are experiencing any implant looseness or discomfort
Your Dental Implant Experience with Associated Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons
Whether you’re thinking about getting dental implants and want more information or are convinced they’re the right option for you, our doctors are here to explain the process and answer any questions you have, every step of the way. When you visit us for a dental implant consultation, we will evaluate your mouth and note any existing teeth that may have cavities or another condition that requires their removal, take detailed images of the structure of your mouth, determining if you have adequate jawbone tissue to begin the implants process and if any initial surgeries such as a jawbone tissue graft or sinus lift are required before proceeding with the placement of your dental implants.
We’re happy to work with you to get the process started. Call us at our Peoria office today to schedule a consultation at (309) 326-9207.
