Dental Implants and The Importance of Gum Disease Prevention

Gum disease is one of the most common yet most serious oral health conditions in the United States. While all patients should take steps to avoid periodontal disease, the stakes are higher for those who have dental implants. We know that untreated gum disease can lead to the destruction of tissue and bone that supports your teeth. Since your dental implant relies on healthy bone structure to become and stay successful, it is imperative that you learn to recognize gum disease at its earliest and most treatable stages. Left alone, gum disease can progress enough to compromise your implant dentistry investment as well as lead to more tooth loss.

Not only does gum disease threaten the stability and health of your smile, but it can also pose risks to your whole body. When the tissue that surrounds your teeth is infected or severely disease, it can put you at higher risk for strokes, type 2 diabetes and other serious health problems.

What is Gum Disease?

Essentially, gum disease is an infection of the gum tissue. This is a prevalent issue, affecting an estimated 50% of adults over the age of thirty. Once the gum tissue is infected, the gum tissue can begin receding from the gums and the tissue can begin to breakdown. Eventually the jaw bone can lose density and teeth can become loose or fall out. Plus, the bacteria that cause gum disease can enter the bloodstream and put your body at risk for other health issues.

Treatment of gum disease involves stopping the infection and helping the gum tissue heal. This includes removing the bacteria that cause the infection. The bacteria hide in tartar and crevices on the teeth. Thorough cleanings are needed to remove all tartar, plaque and bacteria. We also may prescribe special mouthwash that can be used to kill the bacteria between professional cleanings at our office. More advanced gum disease may require a deep cleaning (scaling or root planing) or more aggressive therapy from your dentist.

Symptoms and Causes of Periodontal Disease

Gum, or periodontal, disease is progressive. It starts when the bacteria flourish in the mouth. Plaque and tartar buildup are the first issues – the gums can become irritated and inflamed. Symptoms include red, swollen gums that may bleed easily. The gum tissue often become tender and patients with the first stage of gum disease, gingivitis, may have bad breath. The infection can continue to progress if treatment is not initiated. You should know that when caught early, gum disease is easily reversible and should not compromise the integrity or stability of your dental implant.

While we encourage patients to evaluate their own mouth on a routine basis for gum disease symptoms, we also help them understand that routine dental visits can detect oral issues like gum disease at the earliest possible stage. If you have dental implants, don’t miss these six-month dental appointments. This can be one of the most important ways you can protect your dental implant investment. Call 1899 Dental Implant to learn more about how periodontal disease can ruin your natural teeth as well as those that include dental implants.