The point of the program was that many dentists do not discuss the following crucial aspects of dentistry.
Smoking - With all the information being discussed on TV, newspapers, magazines etc., everyone knows the hazards of smoking. Smoking and alcohol use are two of the leading causes of oral cancer. Smoking robs the body of Vitamin C and is a big risk factor for periodontal disease. A lot of information has been released on the links between periodontal disease and heart disease, stroke, diabetes, etc. People are becoming more aware and many are trying to adapt healthier lifestyles. They are also entering a variety of "quit smoking" programs.
If you are interested in learning more about smoking and how it may be linked to periodontal disease and other health issues, please call.
Tasting your baby's food has been happening forever. Our mothers did it. We do it. It has been a common practice for generations and we have never given it any thought. When a baby is starting solid foods that need to be heated, we often take a small taste from his/her spoon to make certain it is not too hot or cold. Then we put the same spoon back into the jar and begin to feed the baby.
We all are aware that diseases are transferred from one person to another through saliva. However, many people are not aware that they may be spreading periodontal disease as well as the bacteria that cause cavities to their child. If you test the food with a spoon, be sure you do not put the spoon back into the jar of food. Instead, use a clean spoon.
As a side note, how often have you seen a baby drop a pacifier onto the floor? The caregiver picks it up and pops it into his/her mouth and then gives it back to baby. This is also a quick way to pass these and other health problems to the baby.
You need to brush your teeth a minimum of three (3) minutes a day and floss at least one (1) minute a day. If you do it less, you are missing important areas. Many people notice blood on their toothbrush or floss when they are finished. This may be a sign of disease.
Imagine having a four inch by six inch raw area on your arm that bleeds when touched or bumped. Would you think it was normal or would you be calling your physician to have it checked? This may be what is happening inside your mouth. The blood on your floss or toothbrush is letting you know that you have a problem. It can be a sign of a more serious illness. Call immediately to have it checked.
Children do not have the motor skills to do a thorough job of flossing and brushing until they reach the age of about 10. Therefore, aid your child in brushing and flossing at least once a day.
Many people who whiten their teeth believe that they need to touch up on a regular basis. If you apply the whitening solution on a continuous basis such as every month, it will increase tooth sensitivity and gum irritation. To protect your teeth, only touch up your whitening once every three to six months. When touching up, only use the solution for one or two nights and that will be enough to keep your smile looking its best.
It is extremely important to return to the dentist office at two, three, four or six month intervals (whatever has been recommended by your dentist/hygienist). When your "pocket depths" have been probed, listen for the numbers. A number of four or greater means that you have an infection that must be treated to avoid more serious health problem.
When infection is present, a "regular cleaning" does not treat the infection; it only spreads it around. For example, you may have a reading of five or six in one area of the mouth and the rest of the numbers are ones and twos. If a "regular" cleaning is done, the infection could be spread throughout your mouth. That area needs to be treated to eliminate the infection.
Your health depends on not letting this infection spread to other areas in your body. If you have any questions or concerns about any of these topics, please give us a call at (231) 744-6661 and we will be happy to help you.
I'm sure we all want to live in a home that is structurally sound where we feel safe and secure, a place with a strong foundation, sturdy walls and adequate plumbing that provides us with the basic essentials and comforts of home. It's said that our home is our castle…but where do we really live?
We live in the most incredible structure ever designed! An architectural wonder! A dwelling so amazing that not even Home Depot can build such an extraordinary design. Our primary residence is truly our body.
Like the frame and foundation of a house, our skeletal system provides us with structural support. To keep the foundation strong we must expose our bones to resistance and weight bearing activities that stimulate bone growth and increase bone density. Activities such as walking, running, jumping and weight training keep bones strong and dense.
Our plumbing is actually our circulatory system. To maintain proper blood flow and oxygen delivery, we must keep our "pipes" (blood vessels) free from build up. Cardiovascular exercises, such as walking, biking and aerobics, work to improve circulation and oxygen delivery by strengthening the heart so that it can deliver more blood to the body with each beat in a more efficient manner.
For many, the home is considered to be our most valuable asset. I believe that the greatest asset we will ever have the responsibility of caring for and investing in is our body.
The next time you think about a home improvement project, take time to invest in yourself, too.
After all, if you don't take care of your body, where will you live?
As the seasons change, so does our bodies and their need increases to cleanse the body and help rid it of toxins, unwanted chemicals, and other problems that may be rising in the different areas of the body from ingesting pesticides, fertilizers, hormones (from meats) and processed foods. Once this is done a whole new energy and a vibrant feeling can possibly take place.
At the Health Hutt, we have a Whole Body Cleanse Kit by Enzymatic Therapy that is designed to have available to you all the products together that can help in this cleanse. This includes three products to cover a safe, gentle two week cleanse. What's unique is that fiber is included to sweep out the insides.
Whole Body Cleanse Kit includes:
- Super Milk Thistle to help stimulate bile flow and also to support the liver function.
- Fiber Fusion for safe effective cleansing of the bowels, binding to toxins so that they may not get reabsorbed into the bloodstream.
- The Laxative Formula can gently purge the inside of the intestines helping release built up toxins, in turn, carrying them out of the body.
Oops! Occasionally a slip in the diet occurs, this will not ruin your efforts, just get yourself back on course ASAP! Dust yourself off and feel good about the effects of cleansing a new you! Do your best and soon the results will speak for themselves.
Stop in today at one of the four locations of the Health Hutt for more information on cleansing and other healthy suggestions.