The First Step to Prevent Overtreatment at the Dentist: Prevent Cavities (Proper Brushing Method)

To prevent overtreatment at the dentist

Proper brushing method

Preventing cavities

From a young age, three times a day,

brushing your teeth has been repeated like a matter of course.

So most people think they already know

how to brush their teeth.

But there are still many people who visit the dentist because of cavities,

and as treatments are repeated,

questions also arise, such as, “Why do I need treatment so often?”

In fact, the beginning may be in something very small,

such as a wrong brushing habit.

Brushing with too much force,

brushing without considering timing,

and brushing while ignoring the tongue and gums

may not be protecting your teeth at all

and could instead be damaging them.

Proper brushing method changes depending on the food you eat

After eating,

bacterial growth in the mouth usually begins within 20 minutes to 1 hour.

So the saying “you should brush right after eating”

is widely known as the right answer,

but in fact, it does not apply to every kind of food.

Proper brushing method: Brush immediately after eating

1. Foods high in sugar, such as chocolate, cake, and snacks

2. Fruit, fruit juice

3. Drinks containing tannins, such as coffee, black tea, and wine

Sugar increases bacterial activity in the mouth

and quickly creates an environment where cavities can develop.

Also, tannins can cause tooth discoloration,

so it is best to brush right after consuming them.

Proper brushing method: Brush 30 minutes after eating

1. Carbonated drinks

2. Beer

3. Foods containing vinegar

These foods are acidic,

so they temporarily weaken the protective layer on the tooth surface.

If you brush right away in this state,

the acidity and the abrasive ingredients in toothpaste overlap,

and the teeth can wear down more easily.

If you want to brush right away,

first rinse thoroughly with water,

then brush after about 30 minutes.

Proper brushing method: Brush 1 hour after eating

1. Yogurt

2. Sports drinks

Drinks with high acidity

need time for the tooth surface to recover.

In this case, brushing after about 1 hour

is safer for protecting the teeth.

Why cavity prevention can help prevent overtreatment at the dentist

The reason the proper brushing method is important is simple.

If you prevent cavities, fewer treatments are needed.

A cavity is

a disease in which the tooth slowly erodes and becomes damaged,

and it is actually so common that more than about 85% of the population experiences it.

The problem is that as cavities progress,

the scope of treatment gradually becomes larger,

and the treatment options increase as well.

When tooth decay becomes severe,

it leads to pain, sensitivity, and fractures,

and naturally progresses to more extensive treatments such as

inlays, onlays, and crowns.

During this process, the possibility of unnecessary treatment also increases.

In the end, proper brushing habits are

both cavity prevention and the most practical way to avoid overtreatment at the dentist.

Treatment stages when a cavity develops

No matter how well you care for your mouth,

it is difficult to eliminate all bacteria completely.

If a cavity develops,

treatment is needed to remove the decayed area and restore the tooth.

The order of treatment according to the extent of decay is as follows.

Resin

Inlay

Onlay

Crown

Materials used at each treatment stage

include resin, ceramic, PFM, zirconia, and gold.

The problem is when this choice is made

based on overestimation rather than the condition of the tooth.

Gangnam Saero Dental Clinic’s principles for cavity treatment

Gangnam Saero Dental Clinic

1. Treats with preserving natural teeth as the top priority.

2. Diagnoses only the cavities that are truly necessary.

3. Does not force same-day treatment.

4. Even if the extent of decay is wide,

chooses the direction that preserves as much of the natural tooth as possible.

5. Even when a crown is not possible,

considers ways to preserve the natural tooth to the very end,

such as apicoectomy and tooth replantation.

Cavity prevention is more important than treatment,

and when treatment is needed,

it must be done without excess and with precision.

Knowing the proper brushing method correctly,

and choosing a clinic that values your teeth,

only when those two things come together

do dental treatments not repeat.

A new smile,

a new beginning.

Dental care that follows principles, Gangnam Saero Dental Clinic.

• This post is a medical-information post presented by a medical institution due to a third-party contractual relationship.