If you're not happy with the look of your smile, visiting your dentist to get one or more dental implants can turn your frown upside down -- and brighten it, too. Dental implants are an ideal way for dental patients to transform the look of their mouth and improve their oral health. Once you heal from the surgery, it can take a little time to get accustomed to the implants; soon enough, however, you'll possibly forget that they're there. Don't get too forgetful -- it's important that you take a series of simple steps to keep your dental implants in optimal shape. Here are three things to add to your hygiene to-do list.

Don't Discount The Importance Of Brushing

If you've received several dental implants in a row, you might feel that because these teeth can't get cavities, you don't have to take the same approach to brushing. Unfortunately, this is incorrect. Instead of brushing to avoid cavities, you should brush vigilantly to keep the implants clean. Over time, plaque can form on your dental implants just as it does on your natural teeth. The concern is that this plaque grows close to your gums, which will allow bacteria to not only coat your gums, but also make its way down the length of the implant and lead to a major gum infection. Brushing multiple times per day will limit your risk of this complication.

Avoid Electric Toothbrushes

While many dentists recommend electronic toothbrushes for their ability to get your teeth clean, it's best to switch to an old-fashioned manual brush to clean your mouth once you get dental implants. The trouble with electric toothbrushes is that they generate a high degree of vibration. Considering that dental implants are made up of several pieces -- crown, screw and post among them -- there's always a risk that excessive vibration in your mouth will dislodge one of these components.

Don't Floss Around The Implants

Unless your dentist specifically advises that you floss around your implants in a specific manner, it's generally best to keep your flossing to only your natural teeth. The fine nature of floss means that it can slide against the implant and, over time, make a gap between the implant post and your gum. This gap can deepen over time to the point at which it allows bacteria to sink in and cause bone loss, which leads to major complications with your implants.

Talk to a local dentist, such as at Smile 312: Harvey Jay Muhler DDS, to schedule your implant, and be sure to follow his or her advice post implant.