Teeth 2 　(2024.12.30)

In 2016, eight years ago, I wrote an essay titled "Teeth" on this website. It was about the words my father told me, how I maintained my dental helth, and my goal for when I turn 80.　

At my recent visit to the dental clinic a few days ago, I was informed that it would soon be closing. This prompted me to write about "teeth" once again. So, this is the second installment of “Teeth”.

As a child, I was a diligent and obedient kid who faithfully followed the instructions of adults. So, I made sure to brush my teeth thoroughly after meals. I was even selected as a “model child for dental health”. I remember my mother took me to a nearby dentist several times during my elementary school years, but I didn’t experience any major dental issues after that. Believing there was no need, I stopped going to the dentist.

At the age of 18, after graduating from high school, I got hooked on learning English conversation. I frequently watched "Sesame Street," where one phrase stayed with me: "Visit the dentist twice a year." While this advice made sense to me, I didn't feel it was necessary for me since I had no dental problems. As a result, I continued avoiding the dentist.

At the age of 37, in 2010, I happened to see a flyer for an event called “Let’s Talk with Doctors” which was going to be held at the local hot spring facility, Gozarasse. AAs a pharmacist, I was intrigued by the idea of attending lectures by doctors and learning from their insights (and for free!), so I decided to go. The event was held in a dimly lit hall filled with many attendees. Several doctors gave health-related presentations, projecting their materials onto a screen, but one stood out to me: Dr. Kondo, a dentist. His explanation of the importance of regular dental check-ups for preventing cavities was clear and compelling. Inspired by his friendly and approachable manner, I decided to have him take care of my teeth. The flyer, written in white letters on a green background, turned out to dramatically change my dental life.

Dr. Kondo’s clinic, located not far from my home, became my regular dental office. Having not visited a dentist in over 25 years, I felt a bit nervous walking into the clinic. However, Dr. Kondo’s detailed explanations and gentle attitude put me at ease and taught me valuable lessons. The first thing I learned was the correct way to brush my teeth. Until then, I had been brushing too hard, causing my toothbrush to splay after just a few weeks of use. Dr. Kondo explained, “You don’t need to brush with such force. Excessive pressure can make it harder to clean in detail and can even damage your gums. About 100 grams of pressure is enough.”I realized that I had been brushing too hard for as long as 30 years or more.
Although I didn’t have any cavities, my teeth had accumulated plaque and tartar. Dr. Kondo said, “If dirt builds up on dirt, it becomes harder to remove. Leftover tartar can lead to gum disease. Regular brushing is important, but some areas can’t be cleaned at home. That’s why routine check-ups and professional cleaning are essential to prevent problems before they escalate.” This made perfect sense to me. His words, "If dirt builds up on dirt, it becomes harder to remove," stayed with me as a lesson not just about teeth, but about life.

Since then, I’ve diligently adhered to the practice of visiting his clinic every six months. Over 14 years, I’ve attended approximately 30 appointments. Each visit brought new insights from Dr. Kondo, such as:
“Choose “soft” toothbrushes to avoid damaging your gums.”
“Fluoride in toothpaste has drastically reduced cavities among children.”
“Take time brushing; 20 minutes per day is ideal.”
“Frequent snacking damages teeth because it repeatedly exposes them to acid.”
“Acidic drinks, especially cola, are harmful to teeth. Water is the best option.”
“Gum disease can allow bacteria to enter your bloodstream, leading to arteriosclerosis or weakened blood vessels, potentially causing strokes.”
"Brush from the gums toward the teeth”
“Healthy teeth can improve athletic performance, whereas poor dental health can hinder it.”

At one point, I began frequently biting the inside of my left cheek while eating. It seemed that my wisdom tooth was causing the issue. When I consulted Dr. Kondo, he agreed with me, saying, “If this happens three times a year, it’s better to remove the wisdom tooth.”
In February 2023, following his advice, I had my lower left wisdom tooth extracted. Although I was nervous, having heard that some extractions require hospitalization, Dr. Kondo assured me the procedure would be straightforward in my case. The extraction was successful, and since then, I’ve stopped biting my cheek, significantly improving my quality of life.

This year, I had another memorable experience related to teeth: coming across the "miracle toothbrush." The "miracle toothbrush" has bristles shaped like a pyramid, both from a side view and a front view, which makes it easy and effective to clean between teeth. My younger brother, who had already been using this toothbrush, recommended it to me earlier this year, and he kindly gave me two to try. I even saw the developer of this toothbrush on the YouTube channel "Reiwa no Tora" and was moved by his passion for protecting people's dental health. I switched from the toothbrush I had been using for many years to this one, and now I can brush my teeth more efficiently than before. After I started using the toothbrush, during my regular check-up in June, Dr. Kondo praised me, saying, "You’re doing a great job keeping your teeth clean."

On December 27, 2024, during my visit to Dr. Kondo’s clinic, he said something I will never forget:
“For someone your age, it’s very rare to have such well-aligned teeth. Among my patients and acquaintances, there are only two or three people like you. Be proud.”
I was deeply moved by his words. After finishing my treatment, during the payment at the reception desk, the receptionist informed me that the clinic would be closing in March.
Surprised, I realized that this regular check-up was my final visit to Dr. Kondo’s clinic. So I took the opportunity to personally thank him for everything he had done, sharing how I started coming to his clinic after attending his lecture at Gozarasse and expressing my gratitude for his care over the years.

From now on, I will continue to maintain my wonderful teeth not only for my own sake but also for the sake of my family and friends whom I want to support. Moreover, I want to honor Dr. Kondo’s teachings about the importance of dental care and his kind words of praise for my teeth. Starting with 32 teeth and now down to 31 after the extraction of my wisdom tooth, I hope to keep them healthy for as long as possible and strive to lead a happy and fulfilling life.