Man­ag­ing Gum Dis­ease to Ensure Implant Success

This is one reason that the consultation and assessment before treatment is so important. It’s vital for patients to understand the potential risk factors associated with gum disease so that they can take active steps to prevent it.

Gum disease prevention can be supported by a dentist and a dental hygienist, but the bulk of the work of preventing gum disease happens at home. It’s the everyday care that is the most influential in the treatment and prevention of gum disease.

In this guide, we’re looking at how the presence of gum disease can impact implant success and exploring ways patients can work with their dentist to help reduce the risk of implant rejection.

How does gum disease impact dental implants?

Gum disease is a condition characterised by inflammation of the gums and the supporting structures that keep the teeth in place. This inflammation can lead to infections that attack the gum tissue and cause it to recede. When the gum tissue recedes, this leaves the roots of the tooth more vulnerable to decay and infection. If the infection spreads to the jaw bone, this can lead to a loss of bone density and this will eventually lead to tooth loss.

In the case of dental implants, we are less concerned with the tooth decay and more concerned with the risk of the implant enabling the spread of infection from the gums to the jaw bone.

When this happens, it is known as peri-implantitis, and it can cause the bond between the implant and the jaw bone to become loose. Infection of the socket where the implant is placed can lead to a loss of bone density. This means we cannot simply repeat the procedure, as the loss of bone density will mean the patient is no longer a candidate for dental implants.

Preventing gum disease with dental implants

There are a few things patients can do to help protect their oral health and their dental implants.

First, it’s essential to get gum disease under control before starting treatment. There is little sense in placing dental implants if the patient has active gum disease that isn’t under control, as this suggests they have been unsuccessful in treating the condition.

Following dental implant treatment, it’s essential to follow aftercare advice to help protect the teeth, gums and implant site. The implant and crown cannot suffer from tooth decay, but surrounding teeth will still be at risk. Your gums also need to be protected from the risks associated with bacteria buildup.

How to care for your teeth after dental implants

Brushing and flossing twice a day is always important, but this task becomes even more important once you have dental implants. You should also visit the dentist regularly and make time for dental hygiene appointments.

It’s essential to ensure your oral care routine is up to scratch, so we recommend using plaque disclosing tablets to look for signs that you are missing parts of your mouth when you brush your teeth.

You might need to learn new brushing techniques, such as using interdental brushes to carefully clean around the gum line. Your technique for caring for your teeth could also change over time, as you may need to be more careful in the weeks and months following your implant treatment.

Dental hygiene appointments will also help to deliver a deep clean that will help you to stay on top of the issue. Alternating between dental checkups and dental hygiene appointments every 3-6 months will ensure you have good coverage and your dental implant is well monitored.

What are the early warning signs of gum disease?

Learning to spot the early signs of gum disease can help you to act quickly and get on top of the issue before it becomes a much larger problem. The first sign of inflammation in your gums is often the presence of blood when you brush your teeth.

This might be a mild metallic taste, or you might notice streaks of blood when you spit out the toothpaste. If you notice your usually white toothpaste has taken on a pink hue, this could indicate bleeding.

Your gums may also appear red and swollen. If the gum disease is more advanced, your teeth may look longer due to the gums receding. Gum disease also increases your risk of tooth decay, so if you have unexplained pain, this could be a sign you need to visit the dentist.

Treatment for gum disease with dental implants

The treatment for gum disease with dental implants is the same as before treatment. You will need to get this condition under control by ensuring that your teeth and gums are free from bacteria and plaque buildup.

Start by visiting the dental hygienist to arrange a professional deep clean. They can also advise you on the best way to care for your teeth at home to prevent the issue from returning.

Your dentist may want to check if the gum disease has impacted your dental implant, which could mean X-rays to look at the health of your jaw bone around the implant. They can then advise you on the long-term plan and how to prevent issue from arising in the future.