Dental and Oral Health
Cavities, gums, wisdom teeth and braces
What this board is about
This is a place to talk about toothache, treating cavities, gum disease (periodontitis), wisdom tooth extraction, implants and dentures, caring for children's teeth, and scaling.
When to go to a dental clinic or the emergency room quickly
- When your face or jaw swells and you have a fever (a sign the infection is spreading — do not put it off)
- Pain bad enough that your mouth does not open well, or that swallowing is hard
- When a tooth is knocked out in an accident — without touching the root, put the tooth in milk or saline and get to a dental clinic within 30 minutes; it can sometimes be put back in
Source: 질병관리청 국가건강정보포털 · as of 2026-08-05
Health insurance benefits worth knowing
- Scaling: age 19 and over, covered by national health insurance (건강보험) once a year
- Implants: age 65 and over, up to 2 per person, with a 30% out-of-pocket cost
- Dentures: age 65 and over, once every 7 years
- Sealants to prevent cavities in children: covered for the large molars, up to age 18
Check the detailed conditions at your dental clinic. These programs can change.
Source: Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) · as of 2026-08-05
Frequently asked questions
My gums bleed often
Gums that bleed again and again when you brush are a classic sign of gingivitis or periodontitis. Brushing softly because they bleed actually makes it worse. Have scaling and gum treatment, and learn correct brushing and how to use floss — that is the basis.
Do wisdom teeth always have to be pulled out?
A wisdom tooth that has come in straight and can be cleaned well does not have to be pulled out. But if it lies sideways or stays buried in the gum and causes repeated inflammation or cavities, extraction is advised. A lower wisdom tooth is sometimes close to a nerve, so the dental clinic checks its position on an X-ray before deciding.
Sources for this page
· 질병관리청 국가건강정보포털 (as of 2026-08-05)· 건강보험심사평가원 (as of 2026-08-05)
Last checked: 2026년 8월 5일
Rules and costs can change. Before you make an important decision, check the official page for the latest information.