Avoiding Gum Disease

Lowering the risk of gum disease to maintain implant health.

Once a crown has been attached to a dental implant, there can be a tendency to think that this is the end of the matter.

Whilst it is certainly true that having a dental implant is one of the most maintenance free ways of replacing a lost tooth, the reality is that, like with all teeth, a reasonable amount of care is needed.

This does not mean, unlike with dentures for example, that any special treatment is needed for the dental implant, but that the patient should give additional focus to maintaining a high quality oral health care regimen.

Early warnings

One of the biggest threats to a dental implant is gum disease, which, if unchecked, can ultimately lead to bone loss in the implant area and the implant itself becoming insecure.

Without this solid bone structure, the implant may become loose and even come out. This can happen when the patient’s oral health is neglected.

The good news for patients is that the stage of gum disease which is most likely to cause this to happen; periodontitis, is typically preceded by a milder form of gum disease called gingivitis.

Generally, early gum disease will be noticeable due to sore or bleeding gums and if you notice any of these symptoms, you should call the Darren Bywater Dental Implant Centre and arrange an appointment as soon as you can.

Even without these symptoms though, gum disease can occur and this is why follow up appointments after implant placement are very important. Gum disease is relatively easy to treat if detected early by one of our dental team. If left though, the problem will become more serious and lead to more vigorous forms of gum disease.

Don’t self diagnose

It can be tempting, if you see a little blood following brushing your teeth, to think that you may perhaps have scratched a gum. Whilst this may possibly be the case, this should not be used as an excuse not to seek professional guidance. Simply stepping up your cleaning routine at home may not be the answer.

Although this certainly can be beneficial, if the bacteria which causes gum disease has taken hold, particularly below the gum line, home cleaning is likely to have little effect. In cases where this has occurred, the bacteria may need to be removed from below the gum by periodontal treatment.

Given that dental implants can last for more than thirty years, it seems a shame to risk them by failing to look after them correctly.

One of the simplest ways to prevent periodontitis from occurring and threatening your implant is to ensure that follow up visits to our Derby dental implant centre are maintained so that we can monitor your overall oral health and of course your dental implant.

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