Tag Archives: habits

Aspects Of Your Lifestyle That Impact Your Oral Health

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Aspects Of Your Lifestyle That Impact Your Oral Health

The three starting points for having great oral hygiene are to make sure that you brush, floss, and use mouthwash at home. However, you need to make sure that you are looking at different aspects of your lifestyle – could they be undoing all of your hard work? Here are a few things that could be having an impact on your teeth:

Stress:

The modern world can be very stressful and demanding, but if you don’t manage to get your stress levels under control then you might be waking up with headaches and jaw aches. Often these two things are a sign that you are clenching your teeth at night. So what can you do about it? First, you need to look at what you can do to reduce your stress levels. If you know that you are clenching your teeth and are unable to make sure that you are reducing your stress levels – then you need to speak to your dentist about the situation. They may be able to fit you with a mouth guard to stop the damage to your teeth.

Diet:

Do you have an ultra-sweet tooth? While some sugar isn’t too bad, if you are finding that you are snacking on sweets, candies, cakes, and other sweet treats often – you might not be brushing your teeth enough! For those who have a lot of sugar in their diet, it is beneficial for them to brush more times a day to reduce the chances of tooth decay and plaque. Sugar attacks your teeth, so being vigilant about your tooth care is a must. If possible, reduce the amount of sugar that you are eating in a day. Not only will it help your teeth but you’ll feel better in general.

There are some foods that can support good oral health too:

Cheese, milk, and other dairies

Black and green tea

Chewing gums (sugar free)

Foods with fluoride (poultry, seafood, and some cereals)

Fiber-rich vegetables and fruit

And one of the most important things is to make sure that you are drinking a lot of water too. Water helps dislodge any food particles between brushing, and that prevents plaque.

Dental appointments:

Are you regularly visiting your dentist? Many people skip going because they think they don’t need to go. But your dentist will be able to spot issues that are just starting and help you tackle them too. If you have skipped more than a few appointments and you can’t face your old dentist – register somewhere new. And, for those who have dental angst – speak to them in advance so that they know you need extra support.

Dental appointments don’t just take care of dental health with things like fillings, removal, and gum care. You might want to make some adjustments like braces, a whitening, or porcelain crowns. If your last appointment was more than six months ago, then it is time to give them a call and get checked out.

Medication:

There are some medications that can cause you to have a dry mouth – and when you have a dry mouth, you are more likely to suffer from tooth decay. There are a couple of things you can do. You can speak to your doctor to see if there are any other medications that will treat you, but that won’t dry your mouth as a side effect. Or, you can speak to your dentist and see what measures you can take to help manage the risk of tooth decay.

Rest and Sleep:

You might think that almost all of the other body processes need rest and sleep – but not teeth. And in some respects, that is right. Lack of sleep impacts your immune system, and it is the immune system that helps to prevent gum disease. So while your teeth might not seem like they will suffer if you don’t sleep enough – the truth is that it is a risk to do anything that lowers your immune system. Gum disease can cause issues elsewhere in the body, and if it is left to progress, then tooth loss and pain are common issues.

The way you sleep could also be harmful to your teeth if you are grinding or clenching. When you grind or clench your teeth while catching some Z’s, it can lead to cracked teeth, jaw pain, sensitivity, and more. It is a good idea to check out the best night guard for clenching so you can avoid these painful side effects and keep your smile beautiful.

Alcohol and Smoking:

Alcohol, depending on the type, can either be sugar-laden or dry in the mouth. If you aren’t drinking water in between drinks, then the dehydration in your mouth is the perfect place for bacteria to grow. Compounded by the fact that many people forget to brush their teeth after a night of drinking. Smoking is bad for your teeth and gums, as it restricts the blood flow to your gums causing all sorts of issues. Not to mention it stains the teeth. If you do either of these and don’t want to give them up, be extra vigilant with your oral care.

There are a couple of other things that can have an impact on your teeth, too: 3 Common Habits That Could Affect Your Oral Health | lifewithlilred. Once your not so great habits are under control, your oral health will improve drastically!

Featured Image By: Vinicius “amnx” Amano on Unsplash

The Busy Life Of A Modern Woman: Health Risks & Self Care Tips

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The Busy Life Of A Modern Woman: Health Risks & Self Care Tips

Right now, modern living essentially means busy living, particularly for women. Being busy may mean making money, thriving to get ahead of your career, fulfilling ambitions, keeping in touch with friends, raising a family, exercising, and so much more. Jam packed schedules force them to put their physical and mental health at the bottom of their priorities. In general, two things hinder women from maintaining a healthy lifestyle: not prioritizing themselves and the lack of time.

Many women lead high pressured lives as they struggle to balance their careers and personal lives. However, health is essential, not just for yourself but for the well being of your family and the people around you. Let’s delve into this a bit more:

The discrimination against women in the global society typically puts them at a higher health risk than men. Unfortunately, access to health services and health care are intertwined with socioeconomic and sociocultural factors. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the health risks for modern women occur due to the following:

  • Sexual, physical, and emotional abuse
  • The lack of access to education and equal employment opportunities
  • Society’s exclusive perception that women are meant to reproduce
  • Inequality in relationships between men and women
  • Poverty, involving malnutrition and an unhealthy environment

The Jean Hailes’ Women’s Health Survey has also emphasized the relationship between women and health, stating that at least one in six women experienced discrimination in having access to healthcare.

Health Risks for Modern Women:

Health problems may affect women in various ways. Some may experience physical health issues, while some women may suffer mental health problems or a combination of the two. These problems go undiagnosed most of the time, causing them to worsen. Health risks in busy and modern women often include depression, anxiety, breast cancer, heart disease, and autoimmune diseases.

Leading a Healthy Life:

A healthy lifestyle can help prevent health risks, improve quality of life, and prolong life expectancy. Keep the following reminders in mind to keep yourself healthy and happy:

Practice Self Care:

Self care comes in different forms. But as long as it involves maintaining your health and attaining a great sense of happiness and fulfillment, you are doing it right. It could be as simple as exercising regularly, having a nice warm bath at night using your vitamin C whitening and moisturizing soap, or watching a movie to relieve stress. Self care can be pampering yourself at the salon, visiting your doctor for a routine checkup, or enjoying healthy snacks. It’s all about having routines that promote a better quality of life.

Manage Stress With Healthy Habits:

Stress is the common root cause of many health problems and, unfortunately, many people tend to rely on unhealthy habits to reduce stress but doing so only makes things worse. For example – smoking cigarettes, consuming excessive amounts of alcohol, or engaging in dangerous activities, which only puts them more at risk of health problems.

Learn how to manage stress with healthy habits. You can go hiking with your friends, finish a book while drinking tea, get a massage, or do meditation. You could also attend a women’s workshop or two to shake off the stress and empower yourself and others. There are various ways to manage stress without compromising your health and safety so always choose what’s best for you.

Think of Your Future:

You may be young and full of energy, but that will not stay that way forever. Think of the future you will have if you keep neglecting your health. What do you think your future will be like if you keep practicing unhealthy habits? You need to invest in your health while you’re still young and reap the benefits once you reach old age. If you want to live a long and happy life, you need to start making changes in your lifestyle as early as now.

Women need to focus more on their health because they have so much on their plates. The good news is that womanhood involves a supportive community that encourages them to uplift each other. Talk to your family and friends about the importance of health, share tips, and build goals so all of you can lead a healthier lifestyle together.