Maintaining a healthy implant isn’t hard. Here’s what you can do.
Once you get your dental implants from our Arlington, VA, dentists here at Virginia Dental Care we know the number one goal is to keep your beautiful new smile healthy. Maybe you’ve had issues in the past with decay or gum disease and you’re looking for ways to keep these issues at bay so you can maintain your new restoration for the rest of your life.
How can I protect my smile from gum disease?
Since gum disease weakens the tissues and bones in the mouth, it can also cause an implant to fail. This is why it’s incredibly important to take your gum health seriously, especially after getting dental implants from our Arlington, VA, dental team. Fortunately, gum disease is completely preventable, you just need to be dedicated to maintaining good oral hygiene. Good oral hygiene and care includes,
- Brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
- Replacing old or worn toothbrush heads every 3-4 months
- Flossing every day (ideally at night before brushing your teeth)
- Eating a healthy diet that is low in sugar and starches (sugar and starches increase inflammation and plaque and tartar buildup)
- Getting regular professional cleanings from our team of dentists twice a year
- Turning to our dental team more regularly for checkups if you have diabetes, other health issues, are menopausal or dealing with other gum disease risk factors
- Quitting or avoiding smoking or tobacco products
- Limiting or avoiding alcohol
Can I get dental implants if I have gum disease?
Maybe you haven’t gotten a dental implant yet but you’re considering turning to our Arlington, VA, dental team for one. Maybe gum disease is the reason you’re missing teeth in the first place. This isn’t surprising. After all, gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, according to the CDC; however, while gum disease may delay your ability to get dental implants, it shouldn’t keep you from getting a dental implant altogether.
Before getting implants, we will need to make sure that your gums are in tip-top shape. If we notice that gum disease is present, we will need to treat this problem first through better at-home oral care and professional treatments such as scaling and root planing. Once gum disease is under control, then our Arlington, VA, dental team can discuss whether it’s the right time to place dental implants.
If you are concerned about the health or state of your gums, or you simply need to schedule a routine checkup to make sure your dental implants are looking and feeling their best, our Arlington, VA, dental team is here for your smile needs. Call Virginia Dental Care today at (703) 276-1010.
