If your teeth are severely decayed and you have decided to replace them with dental implants, then it is important that you properly care for them post-installation. While dental implants are impervious to decay, your gums and the bones in your mouth are not. For this reason, it is vital that you take special care of your new dental implants and develop a habit of excellent oral hygiene. To this end, here are some tips so you can do just that:

Tip: Eat a Healthy Diet Void of Items that Will Damage Your New Dental Implants

After your dental implants have been installed and your mouth has healed, then you will be able to eat the same foods as people who still have their natural teeth. However, to ensure you don't damage your new implants and keep your gums healthy, you should try to avoid eating:

• foods that are high in acids, such as pasta sauce and fruit juices
• foods that are excessively hard or crunchy, such as nuts and apples
• foods that are sticky or full of sugar such as candy and soda pop.

Avoiding each of these things will help prevent damage to your new implants and the need for future dental procedures.

Tip: Brush Your Dental Implants at Least Twice Each Day

As with natural teeth, your dental implants need to be brushed at least twice each day. To avoid damaging the implants, you should use a soft toothbrush and a gel toothpaste. Make sure you take the time to brush each tooth individually and don't forget to brush your gums and tongue, because they often harbor harmful bacteria.

Tip: Floss Your Dental Implants Daily with a Water Flosser

While your new dental implants cannot decay, your gums absolutely can. For this reason, it is vital that you floss your dental implants each day just as you would natural teeth. To prevent accidentally pulling off an implant's crown while flossing, use a water flosser instead of dental floss. 

Tip: Stop Smoking Cigarettes

Finally, if you want to keep your new dental implants sparking white and looking great, then you should stop smoking cigarettes. The tar and nicotine from smoking will build up on the surface of your implants and will permanently discolor them over time. If you are struggling with trying to quit smoking, then speak with your physician or dentist, like those at BayView Dental Associates, because there are now special medications they can give you to help you quit.