If you plan to get dental implants, you’ve probably heard the basics about them. Most people want these prosthetics because they look and act like natural teeth! Still, you may have a lingering question: Can dental implants get cavities? The posts are meant to be lifelike, so it’s natural to wonder if they also decay. Luckily, your Lincoln dentist has the answer to this worry of yours. Read on to learn why dental implants don’t decay and how to properly care for them.
Context: How Natural Teeth Develop Cavities
Before moving forward, it’s best to review how natural teeth get cavities. Doing so will help you grasp the answer to the implant-cavity question.
Cavities form on natural teeth due to plaque buildup. As the sticky film gathers on your smile, it produces acid that slowly erodes your tooth enamel and dentin. This process leads to openings or holes – “cavities” – in your teeth, making them vulnerable.
When left unchecked, cavities can cause many problems for your smile. The most immediate one tends to be toothaches – teeth get sensitive when they lose their enamel. Over time, a cavity can also let harmful bacteria reach your tooth’s inner pulp. The resulting infection could worsen until the tooth falls out or needs an extraction.
Can Dental Implants Also Get Cavities?
Since they’re viewed as “lifelike,” you may wonder if dental implants can also get cavities. The short answer is that they can’t – their materials don’t erode from bacteria or plaque.
All that said, dental implants do need a healthy mouth to work. Placing the posts near sites of decay or infection will make them unstable over time. For example, gum disease could loosen your implant post until it fails and needs replacement.
Given the above, please be careful with any dental implants you have. The fact that they aren’t “real” teeth doesn’t mean they can’t stop working.
Tips on Caring for Dental Implants
Though they won’t decay, dental implants need care to stay functional over time. That means you should use the following tips:
- Practice Good Oral Hygiene – Keeping your smile clean can avoid issues that harm your implants. So, please brush twice daily, floss once daily, and rinse with mouthwash often.
- Avoid Bad Oral Habits – Tobacco use can cause gum disease, which often makes implants fail. Similarly, chewing ice cubes and other hard objects may break your implant posts.
- See Your Dentist Often – Please attend dental checkups and cleanings every six months. That way, your dentist can treat any smile issues before they put your dental implants at risk.
So, can dental implants get cavities? No – but you should look after them regardless!
About the Practice
Smile Specialties is based in Lincoln, NE. Led by the excellent Dr. Jennifer Reed, our practice works to give each patient a stellar dental experience. That means we offer preventive, cosmetic, and restorative services, all tailored to your mouth’s unique needs. Our team also provides dental implants that can restore your smile with lifelike prosthetics. For more details or to book a visit, you can reach us on our website or by phone at (402)-488-5007.
