Mixing rice with hot broth and chewing squid, the lifespan of the implant drops sharply.

I also have one implant.

The dentist

They told me to use dental floss.

You need to use dental floss consistently to maintain long-term use.

The first secret is to maximize the use of natural teeth for as long as possible. Cavities and gum disease are common reasons for tooth extraction. Using an interdental brush along with brushing helps effectively remove food debris and plaque trapped between teeth.

Since existing plaque and tartar are difficult to remove with brushing, regular dental scaling is necessary. Scaling is effective in preventing gum disease. The National Health Insurance provides support for the cost of scaling once a year starting from age 19. The cost burden is about 20,000 won, which is cheaper than the original price of 70,000 to 80,000 won for scaling.

If you are 65 years or older, there is a good way to reduce the cost of implants. It is to receive benefits from the National Health Insurance. You only pay 30% of the implant cost, and the remaining 70% is covered by insurance. However, each person can receive this benefit for up to two implants in their lifetime. Those with no natural teeth at all are excluded.

In cases where there are no natural teeth remaining, implant dentures can be an alternative. Conventional dentures have weak retention and may be uncomfortable during meals, but implant dentures offer excellent stability and high satisfaction. This method involves placing 2 to 4 implants in the upper and lower jaws respectively, and fixing the dentures with a special device. It is less costly than full implants and is also possible when there is insufficient jawbone.

The lifespan of an implant depends not only on the materials used but also on the method of placement. A strong jawbone is important, and if the jawbone is insufficient, a bone graft is performed. In this case, using the patient's own extracted tooth as an 'autogenous tooth bone graft material' results in no rejection reaction and promotes faster recovery. It is advisable to properly place the implant in areas that bear a lot of chewing force and, if necessary, to perform gum tissue grafts simultaneously.

Use dental floss and interdental brushes daily to thoroughly remove food debris around the implant. If food remains, inflammation occurs and the jawbone deteriorates.

It is advisable to avoid hard foods. Applying strong force frequently can loosen or break the implant screw. Implants are strong against vertical chewing forces but are weak against lateral forces, like chewing squid vigorously. Avoiding hot soups is also helpful, as they can deform oral prostheses. Instead of eating rice soaked in soup, develop a habit of eating with the solid ingredients together.

Reporter Lee Min-young lee.minyoung@joongang.co.kr