I’m Afraid to Tell My Parents I Have a Cavity. What If the Treatment Costs a Lot?

Hello, this is Seoul Centum Dental Clinic.

From time to time, I come across posts online from people who put off cavity treatment because they are afraid of being scolded by their parents, or who ask for advice about it.

In fact, many people also worry about the cost of orthodontic treatment and other dental procedures.

I have also seen cases where people put off treatment and eventually came to the clinic.

Today, I met another such case.

A cavity visible at a glance

In most cases, small cavities cause little to no pain, and unless they are clearly noticeable when checking in the mirror or with the naked eye, it is generally difficult to know that you have a cavity.

However, it is different when you begin to feel pain.

Once pain starts, it is natural to think, “Could there be a problem with my tooth?”

In this patient’s case, they began to feel pain, so they checked the back of the tooth using a mirror and their phone camera. When they saw that it was starting to look black, they came to the dental clinic.

Because it was visible to the naked eye, they thought it was serious and decided to visit the clinic.

However, some people mistake even this for staining and do not visit the dentist.

When a black area is clearly visible, it is less likely to be simple staining.

When a cavity develops between overlapping teeth

When teeth overlap or are not properly aligned, the likelihood of developing cavities may inevitably be higher than when the teeth are straight.

It is not that overlapping teeth themselves are more prone to cavities. Rather, brushing is generally more difficult when teeth overlap, so food debris and plaque can easily become trapped between and behind the teeth, often leading to cavities.

If you have checked the tooth because you have begun to feel sensitivity, there is a possibility that the cavity has already progressed deeply.

In such cases, the possibility of needing root canal treatment is also not insignificant.

If the back of a front tooth has decayed

If the back of a front tooth has decayed, the affected area is usually the lateral incisor right next to the front tooth.

Treatment is generally performed with a composite resin filling, but if the cavity is very deep, treatment may involve a root canal followed by a crown.

In conclusion, the deeper a cavity becomes, the more the treatment cost tends to increase.

Sometimes, students put off treatment because they are afraid of being scolded by their parents.

The longer a cavity is left untreated, the more severe the pain can become, and the cost may also increase. Therefore, if you feel pain, it is best to visit a dental clinic as soon as possible.

When you have overlapping teeth, the likelihood of developing cavities is generally much higher than when you have a properly aligned set of teeth.

For this reason, you need to brush more thoroughly, take better care of your teeth in your daily routine, and check them regularly.

When you feel pain, please do not put off your dental visit. Be sure to visit a dental clinic promptly.

Orthodontic treatment for small teeth: Is the tooth tilted?

Cervical abrasion: Please just give me the cheapest option!