It has now been found that this daily ritual not only protects your teeth, but it may also protect your heart. Thus, that little piece of "white string" now can become a lifeline to better health.
When dental floss is not used on a regular basis, teeth can suffer. Bacteria on the neglected teeth create a soft sticky film (plaque) on the teeth above and below the gum line. Eventually the acids in this material above the gum line begin to destroy the enamel on the teeth and cavities develop. Gums become irritated and swollen and will often begin to bleed when you brush. Even your breath may begin to smell bad.
If not dispersed, this soft, sticky film will harden into crusty yellow or brown deposits called tartar. As more plaque sticks to the tartar and hardens, the body's immune system destroys the bone supporting the teeth leading to tooth loss, a failing smile, diminished eating function and speech impairment. Once bone is destroyed, pockets develop and flossing fails to control the infection.
Research now suggest that regular flossing may impact the following areas.
Flossing may protect your heart. Research shows the consequences of poor dental health may affect your heart. Research show that if you are a man with advanced periodontal disease you are 2.6 times more likely to die prematurely and three times more likely to die of heart disease compared to men who have healthy gums. In one study that had been done in an emergency room, researchers found that patients who came in suffering from chest pains had a higher rate of recurring gum infections. Thus, flossing becomes more important than ever.
Flossing may protect your arteries. Research has revealed that the same bacteria found on teeth are also found in the fat deposits that clog arteries. Researchers believe that the bacteria from the mouth enter the bloodstream and contribute to inflammation and artery clogging.
Flossing may reduce your risk of complications from diabetes. Research is now showing that periodontal disease appears to affect insulin levels. It appears that periodontal disease worsens insulin levels thus causing undesirable effects. According to researchers the most common known effect is Type Two diabetes.
Once pockets have developed, standard home care (including flossing) is insufficient. In many cases dental treatment that only removes the tartar is insufficient treatment and the disease continues to worsen.
As a Center of Dental Medicine, Dr. Jim has practiced a non-invasive program to treat periodontal disease without surgery. To learn more, call for an appointment at (231) 744-6661 and we will be happy to help you.
Every day, I work with people who want to lose weight, tighten and tone problem areas and change their body. Most people have spent their time and energy walking on the treadmills, riding the stationary bike, or working on the elliptical trainer, all of which are great exercises, but they provide only a fraction of the results that can be achieved by a well planned weight training program.
There are many misconceptions when it comes to weight training. I'm going to address the two that I hear most often.
Misconception One - "Weight training will make me bulky."
Fact - I've said it before and I'll say it again. Ice cream, chips, overeating and not exercising will make you "bulky." Weight training helps us lose those inches upon inches of fat, thereby reducing "bulky" bellies, butts and thighs. If being "bulky" bothers you, put the donut down and pick up a dumbbell!
Misconception Two - "Cardio (ie. Walking) is the primary exercise to do if you want to lose weight."
Fact - Cardiovascular exercise such as walking, biking, running and the elliptical do aid in weight loss endeavors. While you exercise, you burn calories - simple enough. However, what happens when you stop?
Although cardio is good and it does help with weight loss, it's only part of the equation. Weight training is the ultimate fat/calorie burner and a critical element of any training program. It's not only the key to losing weight (inches), it's essential for keeping it off!
Here's a simple analogy. Imagine that it's the end of a beautiful summer day. The sun has set, the stars are bright and you want to set back, relax and enjoy the evening under the starts in your comfy lawn chair, so you decide to build a campfire.
You start the fire by placing small sticks in for kindling. They burn easily and provide you with a great start. Although the small sticks have started the fire, you soon realize that if you want to keep the fire burning, you have to continue to add more small sticks - and more - and more - and more.
You come to the realize that instead of relaxing in your lawn chair, you're having to work to keep the fire burning. So, what do you do? You look for a large piece of wood to add to the fire. One that you know will burn hot, burn bright, and burn for a long time, so you don't have to keep working by adding small pieces of wood over and over and over.
The large log of wood will keep the fire burning far longer than the smaller kindling pieces. In fact, even the next day, the ashes will still be smoldering - the fire is still burning!
The comparison of cardiovascular exercise versus weight training is the same as kindling versus the large log. Cardiovascular exercise is the kindling. It does burn but you have to keep working to keep the fire going. Just like walking, you have to keep moving if you want to keep burning calories (fat).
On the other hand, weight training is the large log. Actually, weight training produces changes in our muscle tissue (increases muscle tone) and muscle is what ignites our internal fire! Muscle burns calories (fat) not only when we exercise but even at rest! Muscle tissue improves our metabolism and helps us burn more calories throughout the day. How amazing is that? We can actually train our body to burn more fat, just by adding weight training to our workout plan.
I don't know about you, but as soon as I finish this sentence, I'm going to lift some heavy stuff myself and get my weight training in for the day. I hope that you will be encouraged to do the same.
Join us this summer for Raise the Bar: Change Your Body. This three month membership includes personalized weight training program. All fitness levels welcome!
Our digestive systems do an incredible job. However, today's modern world has exposed us to an alarming amount of toxins, from the air we breathe to the food we eat. Over time this starts to slow down and overburden the digestive system, causing a wide variety of health conditions.
ReNew Life is one of the leading digestive health products available in any one of the four Health Hutts, producing the finest-quality supplements for all of your healthy digestive, cleansing and probiotic needs. They focus on five key digestive categories: Cleansing and Detoxing, High Fiber Foods, Omega-3 Oils, Probiotic Supplements and Digestive Enzymes. Also, some loving focus on Natural Pet Supplements, providing dogs skin care and relief from dry skin, rashes and hot spots.
When you are feeling bloated, over tired, occasional stomach upset, heartburn, constipation, indigestion, gas or flatulence, dairy or lactose issues, candida, diarrhea, over-weight, and more, you may need some help with these issues to gain control and feel your best again!
ReNew Life has come out with a new STOP line that is very good quality at an everyday low price: Heartburn STOP, Constipation STOP, Indigestion STOP, Gas STOP, Lactose STOP and Diarrhea STOP. Each one describes the health benefits to which it is named. Lactose STOP is for those who may eat dairy such as milk and cheese and find they get gassy, bloated and other discomforts. This may help get your body back to feeling good again.
Of course, all of these products and so much more you can find at any one of the four Health Hutt locations with the best everyday low price!