Gum Disease Before Dental Implants
Prior to undergoing a dental implant procedure, your dentist will first determine if you’re a good candidate for an implant. This helps ensure a higher success rate and your overall oral health. If gum disease or tooth decay are found at this stage, then they must be treated.
Implant Risk from Gum-Related Issues
Your mouth must be in a healthy condition with no untreated cavities or gum-related issues Otherwise, you are at risk of contracting an infection around the implant, implant failure, and implant loss.
Complications from Infection
Though dental implants have a high success rate, about 77% of patients contract peri-implant disease after the procedure. This is usually a result of poor oral care and a thorough hygiene routine can help maintain gum health to better reduce risk of infection.
Avoiding Infection after Dental Implant Surgery
To keep your implants in place and your mouth healthy, you should properly take care and clean your dental implants. Good oral care consists of:
Brushing your teeth twice a day
Flossing at least once a day
Rinsing to remove leftover plaque and bacteria
Visiting your dentist regularly
In addition to following basic oral hygiene practices, try paying special attention to your gum line to ensure it stays healthy. An electric toothbrush like the Oral-B® Genius better cleans between teeth and below the gum line to remove harmful bacteria. You can also try incorporating gum fortifying oral care products into your routine.