Perception:  Tooth & Gum Decay

Isn't it an interesting observation that, in the fields of 'Health,' 'Alternative Health,' 'Wellness,' 'Fitness,' etc., what seems to be such a glaring omission is much of anything to say on the topic of 'Oral Health' or 'Oral Wellness.'

Where this topic is actually discussed or written about, the focus is on the efficacy of safe or 'natural' treatment for damage already done, as opposed to the concept of 'prevention' and actual wellness of the teeth and gums. After all, we know how to prevent tooth and gum diseases, don't we? We've known since childhood that if we brush our teeth, avoid sugar and get regular checkups, our teeth will stay healthy and serve us well until we get to middle age when they will begin to naturally drop out of our heads, since that is our experience with our elders. That is our perception.

We do all of the 'right' things yet we still get cavities, or we suddenly get some decay forming in between the teeth and gums. Why does this happen if we are doing what we are supposed to be doing? Why does this happen when some of us are on the healthiest diets ever devised for health and longevity? Why, when our drinking water is laced with miraculous fluoride to prevent it? Why, when we are brushing with the finest natural paste from Maine?

That's life, right? Well, if that's 'life,' then why don't we start losing phalanges and limbs when we hit middle age? Why is it just the teeth?

So much has been written about fitness and diet and wellness, but we always seem so focused on remedies; which one is healthier, which is more natural, which is most esoteric. Why don't we just focus more on prevention and avoid the 'remedy' hassle altogether?

It's perception. Perception dictates behavior and behavior yields result. Basic psychology. If you EXPECT to begin losing teeth at age 45 or age 50 because you saw it happen to your mother and she saw it happen to her mother... then that is your perception of oral health in respect to growing older. If your mother had 3 root canal procedures done by age 35 and several of your friends also went through it in that time frame, then isn't it normal to expect the same for yourself? We see it happening to others and we don't have much knowledge to the contrary, then that is how it is.

I can drive down Rt. 17 in Myrtle Beach, SC and view several bulletin boards promoting discount dentures within a mile stretch. What do you suppose is the perception of the folks living and traveling this particular area of Myrtle Beach? How about, "Dentures are a way of life and I guess this is the town where I can lose all of my teeth and replace them with plastic pretty cheaply!"

Although the profession will swear up and down that they tell us how to properly care for our teeth and gums – but we just won't listen!

Witnessing the signs and billboards, what are they really telling us? What is the perception?

When your body is healthy, and in this case your teeth, your attention is not focused on your good healthy teeth and gums - any more than your attention is on your breathing throughout the day, unless you are asthmatic. When we are young our 'frame of reference' is that we are never going to grow old, or at least it is so far off that it is of no real concern. Some will realize, however, that time will pass, they will become 50 years old or 60 or 70 and will take steps to ensure graceful and healthy aging. Some will perceive this in a big way and will achieve big success. Some will perceive this in a mediocre way and will achieve mediocre success. Some will barely perceive it and may, consequently, not even see 50 years.

A man called a talk show I was listening to. He said that he was 50 years old, retiring and had saved over a million dollars for this next step in life. He saved 25% of every bit of his income since his early twenties. How novel! He got the message early on and took action. Most of us wake up in our mid-forties and start scrambling!

Let's not start scrambling when it applies to our oral health. If you have spent any time at all here at the OraMedia site for Dental Self Sufficiency, you know there are plenty of reasons to maintain your natural and healthy teeth and gums, as opposed to those perfect little plastic beans glued into your mouth. Remember: Perception > (leads to) Behavior = Result.  'Excellent results' is the goal. Focus on the excellent result you want and work backward. Your perception will change for the better.