Severe Periodontitis: The Name Is "Pungchi" — Prevention Tips from Dangsan Station Dental Clinic

Hello, this is Kim Min-young, a restorative dentistry specialist at Dangsan Station Dental Clinic.

Today, I’d like to talk about severe periodontitis, which many people commonly call “pungchi.”

Many people respond immediately to cavities because they are visible, but gum disease comes quietly and can shake the entire tooth structure, so it is easy to overlook how serious it is.

Especially in adults, it is considered one of the leading causes of natural tooth loss.

Through this post, I’d like to explain exactly what pungchi is and how to prevent it effectively.

Oral health is difficult to recover once it breaks down, so having the right knowledge from this moment on is more important than anything else.

1. What Is Pungchi?

Let me explain it simply at Dangsan Station Dental Clinic.

Pungchi literally means “wind has entered the teeth.”

Medically, it is called periodontitis, and it refers to a condition in which inflammation has progressed beyond gingivitis, where inflammation is limited to the surface of the gums, and has extended to the bone (alveolar bone).

The main symptoms include swollen gums, frequent bleeding, and severe bad breath.

When the symptoms become severe, the teeth may loosen, and the gums may recede, exposing the roots.

The main culprits are the bacterial mass in the mouth called “dental plaque (plaque)” and the hardened form of it called “calculus (tartar).”

These toxins attack the surrounding soft tissue and destroy the tissue.

2. The Effects of Systemic Health, as Explained by Dangsan Station Dental Clinic

If periodontal disease develops due to causes within the mouth, it may seem like a simple problem that can be solved by removing the lesion, but in reality, it is not that simple.

Smoking, stress, weakened immunity, diabetes, and other systemic health conditions can also be causes.

In addition, if the teeth do not fit together properly or excessive force is applied to the roots, irritation can occur in the gums and cause problems.

Therefore, managing your overall body health can be said to be the first step in protecting oral health.

3. Prevention Tips Suggested by Dangsan Station Dental Clinic

To prevent periodontitis, careful management in everyday habits is essential.

Please try to follow the guide below.

First, use the correct brushing method, the Bass method. Rather than brushing only left and right, we recommend the Bass method, in which the bristles are placed at a 45-degree angle against the gums and the gap between them (the pocket), and then given fine vibrations.

This method effectively removes bacteria inside the gums and provides a massage effect.

Next, make the use of oral care accessories a regular habit.

For the surfaces between teeth that a toothbrush cannot reach, be sure to use dental floss or interdental brushes.

People with periodontal disease often have wider spaces between teeth, so it is important to choose an interdental brush size that fits you.

The most important thing at Dangsan Station Dental Clinic is regular scaling.

No matter how well you brush, you cannot completely remove the tartar that builds up in every corner of your mouth.

Tartar does not disappear with brushing and must be removed with professional instruments.

Getting a scaling at least once every 6 months to 1 year, together with regular checkups, is a good way to prevent periodontal disease.

Lastly, improve your lifestyle habits.

Quit smoking and maintain proper nutrition.

Smoking constricts blood vessels, reduces blood flow, and interferes with the healing of inflammation.

Also, it is helpful to eat fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C and to build a diet centered on calcium, which helps strengthen the alveolar bone.

4. What If Your Gums Are Already in Poor Condition?

If your gums have already receded significantly or you feel that your teeth are loose, you should visit the clinic without delay for an examination.

Early periodontitis may improve with scaling and root planing alone, but if inflammation has spread deeply, periodontal curettage or more invasive methods may be necessary.

The golden time to save even one more natural tooth is right now.

By the time pain is felt, it is often already too late, so even if you have no symptoms, we recommend starting preventive care.

5. Closing Remarks from Dangsan Station Dental Clinic

Severe periodontitis, or pungchi, quietly approaches and takes away the “joy of eating” from our daily lives.

However, if you practice the proper brushing habits introduced today, use oral care accessories, and most importantly, receive regular scaling, it can be sufficiently prevented.

It is said that teeth are one of the five blessings of life.

Why not start paying a little more attention to your precious gums starting today?

Consistent care is the key to maintaining strong teeth in the era of long life.

I hope you begin systematic care and continue protecting your healthy smile.

This has been Kim Min-young, specialist in restorative dentistry.

Thank you.