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| Be Well - Vol I, #3 |
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When I was young and foolish, I didn’t always take the best care of myself. My dental story is an example of my lackadaisical approach to health. As a boy, I was not very faithful about brushing my teeth, even with my mother’s frequent reminders. Of course, there was no such thing as Crest toothpaste in that remote time and place (Angola in the 1940s.) The end result was that I developed many cavities that needed fillings. Then one of my upper incisors had to be extracted due to a dental abscess. That finally got my attention, and I have brushed my teeth conscientiously ever since then. Yet, because of the damage done earlier, I had to have much dental construction work done over the years – and I still had more to learn. Although I brushed my teeth regularly as an adult, I did not develop the habit of flossing them. My dental hygienist advised me that it would be good for me to do that, but I resisted, using the excuse that it took too much time. Finally, more to get my hygienist off my case than anything else, I began to floss my teeth daily. I had to admit that it left my mouth feeling cleaner. I still had more to learn. A new hygienist told me that an electric toothbrush would help my dental hygiene. About a year ago, I began using an electric toothbrush daily. Learning to use it properly was an adventure in itself, but my big surprise was the automatic two-minute timer. Obeying the timer meant it took twice as long to brush my teeth as before, making me realize that my tooth brushing had been somewhat less than thorough previously. Finally, at age seventy-three, I am taking truly good care of my teeth! Is dental hygiene important? Yes, more so than most people realize. Dental and oral infections can lead to serious systemic infections, including links to cardiovascular disease. Numerous studies have shown that periodontal infections have a stronger link to heart disease than many other risk factors. Good oral hygiene is definitely beneficial to anyone’s overall health. The story of my oral health is pertinent for more than its dental lessons. It illustrates a key principle that unlocks a major secret of wellness. This key is the bedrock importance of taking responsibility for my own care. If I don’t brush my teeth faithfully, nobody else will do it for me. It is up to me. If I don’t brush regularly, my teeth and I will suffer the consequences. The principle is clear in that example. What is not so obvious is that self-responsibility applies across the entire health spectrum. If I don’t exercise regularly or eat healthfully, no physician or nutritionist can do this for me. The consequences may not be as obvious as with dental cavities, but may be worse. Resulting disorders can eventually become matters of life and death. I am not downgrading the importance of physicians, nurses, and other health professionals. All have key roles in caring for us as patients, but they cannot step in as substitutes for you and me if we fail in our unique responsibility to give ourselves excellent wellness care. No other soul on earth can fulfill that responsibility for you or me, no matter how superbly skilled they may be. Vibrant health requires commitment. If I’m not committed to supporting my own health, I’m playing a kind of Russian roulette with my life. Two centuries ago, Goethe wrote that without commitment, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, and always ineffectiveness. If I want vibrant health instead of so-so health, I must be committed to living a healthy lifestyle. Some people think the self-discipline implied in a healthy lifestyle is too onerous. Is vibrant health worth such commitment? You have to decide that question for yourself. For me, the answer is an unequivocal “Yes!” Excellent health is not only valuable in itself, but the joy of living healthfully is greater than any possible burden involved in self-disciplined living. Over the course of the next few months and years, we will explore a variety of intriguing findings and insights that contribute to vibrant life and health. I hope you will continue this venture with me. Be Well! Ed Dodge, MD |