Something interesting that my dentist told me the other day

I had a general check-up at my dentist recently, which was overdue as I had been putting it off for a while, and I was concerned that the delay was going to result in some unwelcome news (emerging cavities, etc.).

Fortunately the exam went well, and no problems requiring further treatment were found.

But the really interesting thing that the dentist said after looking into my mouth was: "You eat a really good diet, don't you?" "Well, yes, I believe so," I answered.

I was pretty sure that that was true because ever since the PCa Dx I had really cleaned up my diet (which was rather poor before Dx), having moved definitely toward the standard healthy diet (lots of fruits, vegetables, juices, etc.).

I then asked him why he mentioned that, and he said that from looking at the color, texture, firmness and such of the soft tissues in my mouth he could tell immediately that they had been receiving a very good level of proper nutritional elements, and that was showing up in the appearance of the tissues. He added that he could look into a person's mouth and immediately get a feeling for the quality of their personal nutritional level from what he saw.

This conversation with the dentist reminded me of something that's pretty obvious, and I'm sure we are all aware of, but may not think of everyday, and it's good to be reminded of it now and then. Namely, eating a much improved diet over what we used to eat may not only may be helping to prevent PCa recurrence or forestall its progress, but doing so as well has a positive effect on controlling the development of problems in other body systems.

Good nutrition going into a person's body goes everywhere, and may well be preventing ailments that may have developed elsewhere had we continued eating a less healthy diet.

I mentioned to the dentist that this was sort of a "fringe benefit" of eating better for the purpose of controlling a specific problem, such as PCa in my case, but which also could be having the very positive effect of beating down other disease or health issues trying to arise within me. He smiled and nodded.

An obvious point, of course, but one that's good to be reminded of now and then.

So next time while chomping down on that broccoli or asparagus or such, it’s nice to remember that it's likely more than the PCa in you that is being better controlled.

81GyGuy,
Thanks for your post. It is always good to get that reminder and reinforcement about diet and eating right.I haven't got very good gums or teeth, but shall attempt to bite off as much advice from this article as I can

P.S. Also appreciate your response to my recent post, thought I would bump yours here!
Dan in So Cal

ISU-Cyclonefan -

Thank you so much for the kind words--they are very much appreciated.

The story about your father rings true, as I have also heard stories about the remarkable things that a trained dentist can spot and predict about us, based just on observation of our teeth-and-gums situation. I'm glad to hear that in your father's situation what the dentist discovered was timely enough to play such a big role--likely a critical one--in your father's treatment and recovery.

I was even reading somewhere recently that there is a likely connection between gum disease and heart health, and that getting the teeth and gums into healthy shape translates into improved heart health as well.

In fact there are many philosophies and health approaches which maintain that the mind and the body, along with its various parts, are such a totally integrated organism that whatever affects one part of it has profound effect on many or all of the others, sometimes in ways we don't fully yet understand.

But there seems to be little doubt that a sound, healthy diet is vital to keeping and, if necessary, recovering our good health. We have nothing to lose and everything to gain by following one.