Dental implants are the best tooth replacement option out there. Because they replace the roots of the missing teeth, they offer many of the same benefits of natural teeth – like stability, comfort, and longevity. In fact, they are the closest thing to real teeth. This may be leaving you wondering if dental implants can get cavities like natural teeth do. Continue reading to find out.
Do Dental Implants Get Cavities?
Dental implants look and feel just like natural teeth. However, one difference is that they cannot decay like real teeth do. This is because dental implants are usually made from titanium, which is incredibly resistant. The dental crown or other restoration attached to implants is usually made from porcelain or ceramic. These materials look just like real teeth – even in the way that they reflect light! One of the great things about them is that they don’t decay like tooth enamel does. That being said, the teeth surrounding them are still about to decay, and the gums are still susceptible to gum disease, which is one of the greatest threats to success of dental implants. It is important that you take all of the proper steps to care for your smile to avoid these negative consequences.
How to Care for Dental Implants
Dental implants might not get cavities, but this doesn’t mean that you can slack on your oral hygiene. Here are some steps that you need to take to keep your implants in excellent shape.
- See Your Dentist: By seeing your dentist every six months for regular cleaning sand checkups, issues can be caught and addressed early on. Professional cleanings help to keep all areas of your smile clean, preventing oral health issues from developing.
- Brush Your Teeth: Just like with natural teeth, you should be brushing your dental implants twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste.
- Floss: In addition to brushing, you should floss your teeth every day. This helps to remove food debris and plaque from between your teeth and along your gumline.
- Rinse: Antimicrobial mouth rinses can help to prevent the buildup of bacteria in your mouth, reducing your risk of developing an infection.
- Don’t Smoke: Smoking slows your body’s natural healing process, increasing your risk of developing an infection.
- Mindful Eating: You don’t need to adhere to any eating restrictions when you have dental implants, but you can still benefit from being mindful about the items that you are choosing. Be careful when eating foods that are particularly hard or sticky. You should also avoid overindulging in sugary and starchy foods.
Dental implants can’t get cavities, but maintaining your smile is just as important as ever! Use the steps above to keep your dental implants in tip-top shape!
About the Practice
At Riviera Family Dentistry of Mesquite, Dr. Le-Anne Ho, Dr. Matthew Arnold, and Dr. Jay Patel work together to treat patients in the Mesquite area. With their combined experience and expertise, patients can get pretty much anything they need under one roof. They partner with local oral surgeons for dental implant placement so patients can have the best possible, most successful experience. To learn more about dental implants or to schedule a consultation, visit their website or call (214) 764-0112.