Rant 3/09

I run across articles all the time which I feel would be great to include but sometimes people tell me my newsletters are too long - there is too much to read, so I try to keep them short. I realize that you have a lot of email waiting for your attention. However, there is so much to this subject of oral health, that I get overwhelmed sometimes - especially when it comes to knowing and understanding what you, the reader, need and want...

I want the site and the newsletter to be honest and informative. I want it to be something you can use - you know, 'knowledge is power' and all that. In this world, though, everything is fast, fast, fast. "I want it now, I don't want to spend much time and I want a miracle on top of it all."

Well, I guess I'm the same way sometimes, but sometimes it behooves us to slow down and consider what we are looking at.

Take this subject of oral health. Do you really think there are any quick-fixes when it comes to dental self sufficiency? There are quick and expensive 'fixes' when you need work done at your dentist's, but I'm not talking about that. I'm talking about self sufficiency.

First of all, there is no quick fix when it comes to prevention. You either invest the time, effort and do things right; eat good, nutritious foods, etc. or your don't. You clean your mouth regularly and thoroughly or you end up like most people with decayed and missing teeth, some stage of periodontal disease, blood, pain, can't chew your food, etc.

So really, prevention is an investment. In fact, let's look at some definitions:

Investment: #6 a devoting, using, or giving of time, talent, emotional energy, etc., as for a purpose or to achieve something

Invest: #3 to use, give, or devote (time, talent, etc.), as for a purpose or to achieve something

Devote: #1 to give up or appropriate to or concentrate on a particular pursuit, occupation, purpose, cause, etc.

From Dictionary.com (Sorry, I can be a bit of a clarification geek, but it pays off sometimes.)

Putting in the time and skill to prevent something can sometimes be difficult, I understand (all too well). But it is that, or making an investment of time and money to 'repair' a problem as a result of not making the investment in prevention. The results are certainly not the same.

I realize I am catching many of you later in life than others and you already may have problems with your teeth and gums. At the very least you can get in there right now and prevent any further damage, regardless of what has occurred. The idea of healing notwithstanding, you will benefit from the investment.

If you are, however, looking for the 'quick fix,' I am sorry, but you are at the wrong site. If you do run across a site or a book touting a product or a particularly effortless technique, then you are... probably still at the wrong place. It will take some learning of the truth of the cause of the diseases as well as the time and effort to do things right if you want to be successful at this endeavor. The rewards, however, are well worth it.

Don't know where to start? Start doing what you already know how to do; brush, floss and irrigate. Then start improving on them. Take more time. Work out a regular routine and find the time to stick with it. Study this site. Study other sites. Want your kids to do a better job? Set an example. Study Dr. Nara's 'Seven Principles.' That's a great place to start. He didn't write that speech for his health, you know.

He wrote it for yours.

Thanks,
Tom Cornwell