Not yet. Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is the irreversible loss of the bone and gums supporting your teeth. Therefore, ideally, your periodontal condition needs to be healthy (e.g. no bleeding while brushing, no plaque and tartar deposit, no gum recession), and to keep the gums healthy, you also need to understand your role in maintaining your oral hygiene. There are several ways to have healthy gums:
- Floss at least once a day
- Brush twice a day
- Have your teeth cleaned at the dentist once every 6 months
- Quit smoking
- Use fluoride toothpaste
Active periodontal disease needs to be managed and controlled. If not, it would lead to an infection developing around the implant and/or delayed healing, which in turn will cause implant failure.
Severe periodontal disease leads to permanent gum recession and bone loss. An implant requires sufficient healthy bone to integrate with. If there is too much loss of bone, there may not be enough to hold an implant, in which case an additional procedure - bone graft - may be required.
It is a must to ensure that oral hygiene is of a high standard before, during and after treatment, as the long-term success of implants depends on good plaque control.
However, not to worry, since periodontal disease is both preventable and treatable if appropriate action is taken. Before proceeding with implant treatment, please check for these early signs of gum disease
- Bleeding Gums
- Inflamed Gums
- Receding gums
- Gaps between teeth and gums
- Constant bad breath and a bad taste in your mouth
- Sensitivity of tooth or around the gums
If you experience any of these symptoms, it is recommended to see a dentist straight away. They will be able to examine whether or not you have gum disease and how advanced it is. The earlier it is caught, the easier it can be treated with less serious consequences.
