Consistency, the Inconvenient Secret
I have had the pleasure of writing for 406 Woman magazine for approximately 10 years. I have a hard time imagining that I have any hardcore long-time faithful readers. Not because they might not like my writing, but hopefully because it’s not the sexiest of subject matters. As you may know, this publication drops every two months or six times a year. Sometimes my deadline rolls around and I am particularly psyched about some aspect of dentistry and the article comes easy. It writes itself. Other times I must get the creative juices flowing in order to not only inform the reader about dental health, but also attempt to entertain the reader...you.
My guess is if you look to the right there is a photo of me looking like Eddie Van Halen and David Lee Roth had a baby. Truth be told I am a much older man than that lad you see there. Ten years older to be exact. I look different but I can assure you I am still “not your ordinary dentist.” I will see about updating this photo soon.
One thing that I’m learning in my forties is that consistency is appreciated by my aging body. Our biological systems that maintain homeostasis can’t handle the roller coaster lifestyle we subjected them to in our teens and twenties. The irregular sleep schedules, eating habits, drinking habits, exercise routines, etc.
About 2 years ago I found myself out of shape and heavier than my wife or I would prefer. I had recently made some great new friends who were very adventurous and I knew that unless I got my butt in gear I wouldn’t be able to keep up with them. So, I started using that expensive Wave membership that I had been paying for for years. Obviously as a long time Whitefish resident I saw familiar faces there. One such familiar face was in pretty good shape, the kind of shape my wife would prefer me to be in. So I confided in him, “hey man, what’s the secret? Show me the shortcuts man.”
He just smiled and said, “There are no shortcuts bro. You need to be consistent. You can’t go hard for two weeks in the gym and expect change. Talk to me in three months, in six months, hell in six years.” He was right. I changed my mindset to the long game and later that year I found myself being asked, “hey man, what’s the secret?”
Consistency is a force of nature. It should be rule number one in every area of our lives that we want to maintain or improve. Every day that I’m practicing dentistry I do hygiene exams. In other words, patients have their teeth cleaned more or less every six months and I pop in to review any new x-rays that were taken in addition to examining their teeth and overall oral health.
It is not uncommon for me to see mouths and smiles healthier and more attractive than mine multiple times a day. It should come as no surprise that these are my favorite visits with patients as I don’t need to deliver any bad news. Instead I say quickly and sincerely, your teeth are amazing!! I wish my smile looked as good as yours. Whatever you’re doing it’s working so don’t stop doing it. I don’t need to instruct the 40 year old who hasn’t had a cavity in 20 years on the ABC’s of oral hygiene. Their consistency is paying off and will continue to do so forever if they maintain the routine that got them there. A routine that includes quality brushing of the teeth morning and night, flossing more than three times per week, avoiding dietary habits that have a negative impact on their oral health, and coming to hang with their dental hygienist at least twice a year. That’s the secret.
I also have patients that consistently develop one or two cavities a year. They have become desensitized into thinking only having one cavity is a success. “Only one?!? That’s Great!!” With that response I know that they don’t have the desire to improve. They can’t break from that one destructive habit that’s keeping from them optimal oral health.
Finally, at the far end of the spectrum I have patients that put little effort into maintaining and/or improving their oral health at all and only see me when a tooth has reached its expiration date and needs to be put out of its misery.
We love all of these types of patients. It’s a crazy and diverse life experience we are all enjoying and everyone is navigating their own difficulties and making their own priorities. We are in the business of helping people with their dental problems without judgment.
The path to the best places we want to be in life physically, emotionally, financially have no shortcuts. If you are not where you want and/or need to be, and are not progressing towards them, evaluate the inconsistencies in your approach and if you want it bad enough you will make the change.
I don’t know about y’all, but I have thoroughly enjoyed this winter. Watching my kids develop into little ski monsters just makes me so proud. I appreciate this community and recognize it as the village that’s raising my children. I am grateful that I can provide a valuable service alongside my colleagues at Smile Montana to the Flathead Valley.
Thank you for your support and for making it to the end of my ramblings.
Read Consistency, the Inconvenient Secret by Dr. John F. Miller, DDS, in 406 Woman magazine.