Hello, Sunshine.

I went to the dentist yesterday, who told me I have a LOT of cavities. As someone who goes to the dentist twice a year, brushes religious, and flosses every single day- I feel really upset about this. Partly it was the manner with which this particular dentist dealt with me, and partly it was feeling like I had let myself down in some way.

Over the past year, I ended my strict raw vegan diet, and have taken time to learn to eat intuitively and honor my needs. I eat whatever I desire, and I feel great. It felt like a huge kick in the teeth (pun intended) that just as I am celebrating living a town over from Crazyville, I get the news that part of my body is “deficient”. Now everyone has their beliefs about their teeth, and I am one who believes that our diets strongly influence the status of our teeth. Particularly as the hygienist is cleaning my teeth going, “…Such clean teeth! I don’t see how a girl with such clean teeth and no plaque has so many cavities!” It gets complicated here because health is complex. Firstly, I am seeking a second opinion. This dentist was an absolute jerk and had appalling patient discourse. He essentially told me there was no reason whatsoever for the status of my teeth and that I was doomed to having “major reconstructive problems for the rest of my life.” Secondly, after I have these cavities and issues filled and resolved (ELSEwhere), how do I prevent further issues? I refuse to accept for one second that I am “doomed.” Granted it seems I have inherited certain tooth genetics, and after talking to my mom she has had many similar issues. But genetics are NOT the final answer. I am certain there are things that I can do, in addition to maintaining excellent hygiene, to improve the health of my teeth.

So, the question that I am asking myself is how do I improve my diet, i.e. make sure that I am getting the minerals and vitamins for strong bones and teeth, while maintaining a healthy relationship with food far away from Crazyville?

It seems so easy in my head. Just drink more vegetable juice and eat less sugar! But the whole foundation of my progress this year has been no rules. If I don’t feel like making juice, I don’t do it. If i want sugar, I have it. Perhaps this is the start of phase two, where after asking my body what it wants, I ask my teeth what they need. A whole new discourse in self-care of truly checking in with my heart and head, and continue on. It is definitely an opportunity to revitalize and improve my health.

I also felt a whole wave of anger with western medicine yesterday, as I sat in this dentists office feeling utterly helpless. He delivered very upsetting (and expensive) information with no useful explanation, nor any suggestions whatsoever for preventing further problems. I can only imagine how people must feel when a doctor behaves in the same manner, sharing news of a much more upsetting nature than mine. The most challenging aspect is feeling like the doctor completely disconnected me from my body. After I got home, it took several hours and a long talk with my mom to get back to my body. No matter what a dentist or doctor says, it is still MY body, they are MY teeth. And I need to remember that, and to stay connected to myself. While I do feel pulled back into the world of “fixing” my life through my food, I am compelled to stay strong in eating intuitively. I know that I can increase the vitamins and minerals in my diet, and not get sucked back into the world of weight watching.

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