As you might have seen in the last post I went to the dentist last week. I’ve always had extremely sensitive teeth. So sensitive, in fact, that it’s hard to eat fruit straight out of the refrigerator. Part of the reason for this is because my gums are receding and the roots are exposed. I actually had to have surgery for this when I went about seven…it was called a gum graft where they take tissue from the roof of your mouth and put it where you need it to cover the exposed roots.
Obviously at that age, they’re thinking this is a genetic problem and I’ll just have to deal with it. However, at the dentist last week, I got lucky! My dental hygienist had attended a course the week prior about this very problem. She said there were only a few fixes for it. Bonding (which would cover the exposed roots) or having the surgery again. However, she went on to explain how bonding really just makes the problem worse and I’d probably be back within 4 years to do it again.
So I asked her, “What causes it and what can I do to prevent or prolong the time before I have to have the surgery again.” She mentioned 2 things in particular:
1) My bite could be off and my teeth are hitting first on the side where the gums are receding. This wasn’t the case for me.
2) I’m using too much toothpaste and I start brushing in the same place every time I brush (also the place where the recession is the worst.) I was definitely doing this.
All of this to say…I came home that day and felt liberated. I started brushing my teeth the new way immediately. It didn’t take 21 days to form a habit. I changed IMMEDIATELY. I would do anything that would help my mouth not hurt anymore and would really love to push any sort of mouth surgery as far out as possible!
Is it going to take your doctor telling you you’re doing to die before you change? Are you taking blood pressure meds, cholesterol meds, meds for high triglycerides, or meds for diabetes? If you are, it’s not too late to get off of them. It’s not too late to turn your life around and become healthy. Remember that many times we think something is genetic, it’s simply because we have the same habits our family members do. We eat the same way, we spend our free time the same way (sedentary for most Americans) and we end up the same way. Not because of genetics, but because we chose that lifestyle too.
Obviously, I have already chosen to be healthy and live that lifestyle, but my teeth are another story. I just changed my habits so the end result changed. I only needed someone to tell me once! I may still have to have surgery eventually but I am extremely happy to prolong it for now. Just think…you could do the same with your health.
