In recent weeks I’ve paid several visits to my dentist for treatment of a tooth with a deep cavity that had to be crowned and may still need a root canal – not my idea of a good time. This experience caused me to do quite a bit of research about tooth decay.

What is tooth decay and when does it occur? It occurs when your teeth are frequently exposed to foods containing carbohydrates such as starches and sugars like soda pop, candy, cake and even sticky fruits. The primary options for treating tooth decay are filling, crown, root canal or extraction. The goal of treatment is to preserve tooth structures and prevent further destruction of the tooth.

If left untreated, tooth decay can have serious consequences. An extreme complication can be an abscess; a collection of infected material resulting from bacterial infection of the center or pulp of the tooth. This infection can spread into the bloodstream and have serious, even fatal consequences.

Decay has become widespread in our society, but it goes far beyond tooth decay. We are surrounded by social decay, cultural decay and moral decay. I am especially concerned with the lack of commitment to facts; truth decay. This poison has infected every area of our society.

We’ve all seen supermarket tabloids that feature stories about aliens landing, 6- headed animals or even stories about celebrities that are completely fabricated. Are these stories true? No, but they sell. Even some of our news programs, in the interest of getting ratings, play fast and loose with the truth. Websites like www.factcheck.org and www.snopes.com have become quite useful tools for determining the validity of stories. Some of the most respected figures in our society; politicians, celebrities, corporate officers and even ministers have been found guilty of misrepresenting the truth. Sadly, accountability and integrity are viewed as optional character traits.

You see, a commitment to truth comes with responsibility. As one sage wrote, “The truth is heavy, therefore few care to carry it.” It is easier to just go with the flow. However, if we choose to do that, we will pay a very heavy price.

Wise men and philosophers have pondered the importance of truth down through the ages. Here are some of their thoughts:

  • “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”– John 8: 32
  • “As scarce as truth is, the supply has always been in excess of the demand.” —Josh Billings
  • “Men stumble over the truth from time to time, but most pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing happened”– Winston Churchill
  • “In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act”–George Orwell
  •  “A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is still putting on its shoes”—Mark Twain
  •  “The folks who know the truth aren’t talking…. The ones who don’t have a clue, you can’t shut them up!” –Tom Waits
  •  “Once your soul has been enlarged by a truth, it can never return to its original size.” –Blaise Pascal

 Each of us has a choice. We can allow the decay to continue or we can make a commitment to upholding truth. What will you do?