Oral Health & Prevention

Many of you reading this had discovered the OraMedia site after searching for solutions to a newly discovered problem or conflict with your own oral health.  You may have experienced pain, bleeding, loose teeth... or you may have been further advised by your dental professional that you have symptoms of decay, gingivitis or advanced periodontal disease.  The proposed solution may have prompted you to do a search for more information on that particular proposed solution or treatment.

I would guess that the vast majority of you did not search and find the OraMedia site because you woke up one morning and thought, "Gee, I wonder how I can keep these teeth healthy forever?  I wonder how I can prevent the decay process in my mouth.  I am curious to know if I really CAN ward off heart disease or diabetes by taking better care of my teeth and gums."

I once read that you cannot sell 'prevention.'  You can push a lot of ideas, but 'prevention' is pretty low on the list.  I've thought about that for a long, long time.

I know lots of folks who have quit smoking, for example, when a close friend or relative dies from lung cancer as a result of smoking.  But when a close friend or relative loses a tooth (or a full set), has some scaling done or a root canal, do we think to ourselves, "Man, I better brush longer and more thoroughly and get that floss out..."  It isn't as likely that we will make the conscious decision to change or improve a related habit because losing a tooth doesn't seem as severe as losing a lung, does it?  Frankly, the loss of a tooth should set off alarms that there is something seriously wrong which could lead to some serious systemic diseases down the road.  But we aren't likely to consider that, although that very relationship between periodontal disease and other more 'serious' diseases has been the topic of a great deal of news over the past few years.  Science is sending us a wake-up call.  It is not debatable like the effects of global warming.   The science is there, nonetheless.  Who is taking responsibility for this connection?  The MD's will give you a script for medication and the periodontists will treat the infection with medicine or surgery... and out the door you go.

Ok, I'm getting off the subject a little.

The OraMedia site is mainly about 'prevention.'  Dr. Nara's message is mainly about 'prevention.'  Dr. Nara's message is also about you and your ability to save your teeth and your life.  Literally.  I know it's not the only factor in saving your life, but good oral care can have a direct relationship.  So, we promote 'prevention.'

I've had people write and tell me that they are outraged that I have the gall to actually sell products on my site - that I should be doing this all for free.  Well, I confess.  I like to eat.  So far, the government of the United States has not recognized good, preventive oral health as worthy of subsidy.  Pretty much, only 'treatment' and 'fluoridation' (the cure-all, one-shot preventive remedy) get the public's money, so I am forced to peddle my wares in the marketplace while telling people there is a way to better oral health - prevention.  Yes, you can save your teeth.  Yes, you can save a WHOLE LOT of money in the long run.  Yes, you can get a few things from me or you can go to Wal-Mart, but you may need to add a few tools to the medicine cabinet.

Who do you trust?  Who's Looking Out for You??

I want to share a portion of an email I received today:

"This subject of dental self sufficiency and dental health is of vital importance in a world whose view of health is harbored in external intervention instead of self-intervention.  However, due to the degree that we must have the truth about these conditions, we must be able to trust truth when we see and hear it.  My story is like many others, however, for the past few years I made choices that allowed me to garner my strength to care for my mother and allow her to make her transition with dignity and pride.  To that same degree many things that I needed, at that time, were left to care for at a future time.  I followed other bringers of better oral health, but could not consistently take care of my needs.  After spending thousands and thousands of dollars years ago to have a pleasing smile - years later, I cannot smile with the same enthusiasm.  The thousands and thousands of dollars just are not there.  I can feel a shift in the position of my teeth.  I worked furiously to see a holistic dentist in Colorado, but was still unable to dedicate anymore time and money there.  Where does a person go, or what does one do, so that we can handle, to some degree, healthy dental care and be able to maintain some dignity about the type of dental care we receive?  I know I am not the only one, at the same time I see smiles that almost glow in the dark, and I wonder, how we have changed from hue-manity to dollar mania."

These are some very good questions and comments.  This person sums up the majority of mail I've received over the past 8 years!

The dental profession would like to believe that they are the last word in your care.  Madison Avenue would like you to believe that their clients' products will save your teeth and give you healthy smiles (they're the same ones who will later tout their marvelous denture adhesives!!!  How ironic.).

An example is the recent news on Listerine mouth rinse.  "You don't have to floss anymore!  Listerine is as effective as flossing!  If you don't believe it, we have scientific studies to prove it!"  ...Studies funded by Pfizer, of course, makers of Listerine....

"Both Pfizer and the ADA emphasize that the results relate only to people with gingivitis, a mild form of gum disease that affects a majority of Americans over 30. Those with periodontitis, a more serious condition in which bacteria have affected the bony structure of the mouth, have no choice but to floss if they wish to be well.

"From these two studies, published in respected, peer-reviewed journals, a reasonable person might infer that it's time to pitch the floss. But of course that's not the message the ADA -- or, for that matter, Pfizer -- wants you glean. And with good reason.  The ADA has for decades recommended twice-daily brushing and daily flossing, along with regular visits to the dentist.

"That stance is reinforced by yet another Pfizer-sponsored study, this one published in the April 2004 issue of the ADA journal, which demonstrates that brushing plus flossing plus two Listerine rinses a day deliver the biggest anti-gingivitis punch of all..." -Washington Times, June 15, 2004.  Read

These folks have even spent mega-bucks on splashy TV commercials announcing the end of flossing!  I wonder if they tested Listerine against TheraSol, Scope or Cepacol...  Well, we have the results of that test done in a college lab.  Informal, yes, but certainly unbiased.  The outcome wasn't good at all for Listerine.  Read.  (I wouldn't mind, however, having Pfizer's PR people working for OraMedia!!)

So whom DO you trust?  Who is going to care enough about your teeth so that they remain strong and disease free?  Who do we send you to?  Everyone wants to know.

The answer is YOU.  You have to take care of you.  You have to learn, apply and set the examples for your family.  When they see that you care, the odds are that they will follow your example.  What a simple, yet great legacy.

I have a close friend whose Karate instructor once told her, "You want to change the world?  Then change yourself.  The world will then change."  You know what?  She did - and the world DID change!

Yes, you can prevent tooth and gum decay and the resulting disease processes.  No, it isn't hard to do at all, but it might take an extra 5 or 10 minutes of your day and you may have to eat better than you do now.  If you need to know more about this, the best thing to do is read what Dr. Bob Nara wrote on the subject.  A lot of it is available here on the OraMedia site - go to www.Mizar5.com/omedia2.htm for starters and read Dr. Nara's books, 'Money by the Mouthful' and 'How to Become Dentally Self Sufficient" at www.mizar5.com/mm.html . 

This message is especially important to my younger readers who are still planning to live forever with 20-year-old bodies.  Think 'Prevention' and you will be doing your body a great service.  Think of all it does for you.

Tom Cornwell