Hello, this is Andy.
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Did you know how long teeth are supposed to last?
For adult teeth—permanent teeth—they are actually built to last a lifetime! Their durability is said to be exceptional.
For more on maintenance and related topics, please refer to my previous articles.
About Brushing Teeth – The Goal Is to Remove Debris
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No Need to Apply Pressure:
Use about the same pressure as when holding a pen.
The goal is to remove food debris, not plaque.
Many people mistakenly try to remove plaque and end up brushing too hard.
But removing plaque is a task for the dentist! -
Toothbrush Replacement Every 3 Months Is Enough:
There's no need to press hard enough to damage the brush, which is made of plastic.
I used a replacement brush for six months once, and it clearly left plaque behind.
My dentist pointed this out to me… -
Brush Your Gums Gently as Well:
Remove debris from the gum line too.
However, pressing too hard can cause gums to recede, exposing the bone, leading to cavities and tooth loss. -
Use Floss or an Interdental Brush Daily:
Food debris left between teeth can cause cavities to develop from the inside.
Clean between teeth once a day. -
Visit the Dentist Every Six Months:
Cavities can develop under plaque buildup.
The purpose of these visits is to remove plaque and check for cavities.
Periodontal Disease / Pyorrhea Prevention – Leave It to the Dentist!
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Get Pocket Depths Checked Around Age 50:
Gum recession is natural with age, and cavities can grow deep in those pockets. -
Treat Deep Areas Thoroughly:
The dentist will apply a local anesthetic and use a fine instrument to clean out dark decay deep inside the gum pockets.
It’s painless thanks to the anesthesia.
This treatment is covered by insurance in Japan, but some clinics may charge out of pocket—around 5,000 yen per session.
I strongly recommend confirming it's covered by insurance. -
Get Regular Checkups:
A good time is during your biannual cleaning appointments.
I’ll update further once I’ve completed my first round of periodontal treatment. -
Repeat Treatment Every 3 to 5 Years:
I just learned this recently—it’s important to revisit treatment on a multiyear cycle.
On Pyorrhea at Tooth Branch Points (Due to Clenching)
This is a back-and-forth battle.
For about a week after treatment, everything feels fine.
But after that, the gum slightly swells and pus accumulates again.
I’ll continue consulting with my dentist as I go forward.
Still, it takes quite a long time to fully complete periodontal treatment, doesn’t it? 😅
