Hello, this is Andy.
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I visited the dentist for my fourth treatment to prevent periodontal disease.
I always feel uneasy when going to the dentist.
When I was a child, dental anesthesia was not as advanced as it is today, and every cavity treatment was extremely painful. Those unpleasant memories still come back to me.
However, the progress in modern anesthesia technology is remarkable! Now, treatments are completely painless. Here are some insights I learned from my regular dentist.
◯ About Brushing Teeth… The Main Purpose is to Remove Food Debris
① No need to apply pressure: Holding it as lightly as a pen is enough
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The goal is to remove food debris.
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Many people mistakenly believe they need to scrub hard to remove plaque.
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However, removing plaque completely is impossible through brushing alone—leave that to the dentist!
② As a result, toothbrushes can be replaced every 3 to 6 months
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Since toothbrush bristles are made of plastic, there is no need to apply excessive force that damages them.
③ Gently brush your gums as well to remove debris
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Pressing too hard can cause gums to recede, exposing the bone, leading to cavities and eventually tooth loss.
④ Use dental floss or an interdental brush once a day to clean between teeth
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Food debris left between teeth can promote cavity formation, as cavities often start from the interdental spaces.
⑤ Visit the Dentist for a Check-up Every Six Months
Cavities can sometimes develop beneath plaque, so the purpose of these visits is to remove plaque and check for cavities.
◯ Preventing Periodontal Disease and Pyorrhea… Leave It to the Dentist!
The best thing you can do is to get regular check-ups.
① Around the age of 50, have your periodontal pocket depth checked.
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As we age, our gums naturally recede.
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Cavities can form in these deeper areas.
② Treat periodontal disease from the deeper areas.
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The dentist will numb the gums around the periodontal pockets and use a thin needle-like instrument to remove the dark decayed areas inside.
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Since anesthesia is used, the procedure is completely painless.
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This treatment is covered by insurance, but some dentists may charge outside of insurance, costing around 5,000 yen per session.
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I strongly recommend choosing a dentist who provides this treatment under insurance.
③ Get regular check-ups.
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Ideally, you can combine this with the plaque removal check-up every six months.
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Once I complete my first full periodontal disease treatment, I will share more details.
Final Thoughts
If you have a toothache, of course, you will go to the dentist—it's only natural because you’re in pain.
However, regular check-ups are different. Many people find it hard to visit the dentist when there’s no pain because they don’t immediately feel the benefit of doing so.
I was the same way. But once I fully understood why regular check-ups are necessary and why periodontal disease prevention is meaningful, I made it a habit to go.
I encourage everyone to take the time to understand the reasons behind these check-ups.
By the time you feel pain, the cavity has already progressed significantly—it’s too late! 😅
This applies not just to dental care but also to full-body health check-ups.
Once symptoms appear, diseases may have already advanced.
I learned this the hard way when I experienced bile duct obstruction. 😅
Let’s prioritize early detection by committing to regular check-ups for five, ten years, and beyond.
If you found this helpful, a little support (like a click) would be appreciated! 😊
