Tag Archives: oral

Health Benefits of Quitting Smoking

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Depending on the level of addiction, some people find quitting smoking easier than others. Once you have gotten rid of the cravings and cough, you will be well on your way to a healthier lifestyle.

The method of quitting varies dependent on the person. One may find that they can just simply not smoke without much mental recourse. Another person might benefit from smoking cessation medication. Others may find it more useful to switch to vaping, such as with tobacco e liquid from 88vape, to begin their quitting process from the toxins, while still retaining the nicotine. 

Regardless of the method chosen, it cannot be denied that quitting smoking has a tremendous effect on the level of health of a person, and is always recommended.

Dental Benefits

Smokers are more likely to suffer with problems in their teeth. These can range from bad breath to an increase in cavities, as well as an increased risk of oral cancers. One of the other commonly seen problems involves staining and yellow tinting of the teeth. 

Quitting smoking can help to prevent any further damage to the teeth. A dentist would not be able to erase the damage caused, but the sooner you quit, the more they will be likely to be able to repair your teeth, and the cheaper the treatment could potentially be. You will also be reducing your risk of developing the aforementioned oral cancers and, therefore, increasing your potential lifespan.

Lung Benefits

After just 8 hours of not smoking, your oxygen levels will start to normalise. By continuing to refrain from having cigarettes, you can then start to remove all the toxins from your lungs. In a mere three days, it is possible for your oxygen levels to start to rise, meaning you will find it easier to breathe. The knock on effect from this is that you can also feel more energised than you did when you were still a smoker. 

At 3 to 9 months smoke-free your lung function can be up by 10%, so the ability to breathe becomes easier still. Then, on reaching 10 years free from smoking, your risk of developing lung cancer will be at half of what it was when you still smoked.

Skin Benefits

Your skin can also be severely affected by your smoking habit. Not only does smoking cause yellowing, particularly of the fingers that most often hold the cigarette, but also premature ageing and early wrinkles and sagging in the skin. Quitting smoking can help to improve some of these changes, and make you look far more youthful than before.

Quitting smoking is undoubtedly the best option for you, whether you smoke 2 or 20 a day, and regardless of how long you have been smoking. There are many other healthier habits you could choose, rather than one that simply costs you money, makes you smell, and shortens your life. Giving up any addiction is never a walk in the park. There will be disappointments and relapses, but don’t be discouraged. Make use of the stop smoking medications available. However, even if you quit smoking, your lungs may still need a boost for detoxifying, and a good way to help them is by adding a lung health supplement to your diet. The benefits of finally going smoke-free will make a big difference to your health and social life at large.’ Speaking to a medical professional can help you find your way to a smoke free lifestyle.

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Women ‘reluctant’ to believe pregnancy and oral health link

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Pregnant_woman2More than 20 million women in the UK are reluctant to believe the existing link between poor oral health and pregnancy complications.

In a new survey, two in every three (67 per cent) of women said they did not think the two problems were related while only one in four (25 per cent) said they would take steps to improve their oral health despite knowing it could cause complications during pregnancy.

In the last 12 months the Foundation has reported on a number of scientific studies showing possible links between the two health problems. Research has revealed a 34 per cent reduction in risk of preterm births for expectant mums suffering with gum disease if they underwent simple treatment at the dentist or hygienist.

Further studies have also shown mums who are more able to handle stress in their environment had children with better oral health. Karen Coates, Dental Advisor at the British Dental Health Foundation, encourages all women not to ignore the wealth of evidence suggesting a link.

Ms Coates said: “Taking care of your own oral hygiene is important at all times, but none more so than when you’re expecting a baby. As many women will testify, the significant changes to the body mean taking extra care, and that includes oral health.

“There has been a lot of research that shows poor oral health can lead to complications during pregnancy, and it should not be overlooked. If a good oral hygiene routine means mums to be experience less problems during their pregnancy, it is important to educate this particular group about how they can go about doing just that.

“Many women find that hormonal changes cause their oral health to get worse during pregnancy. Some women find their gums bleed more easily, while people who already have gum disease may find that it progresses more rapidly.

“If you are pregnant, it really is vital to take extra care of your mouth. You should brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, and take extra care that you are brushing for the full two minutes and clean every surface of every tooth. You should also clean between the teeth using interdental brushes or floss. Visit the dentist regularly as often as they recommend, and cut down on the frequency of sugary foods and drinks.

“NHS treatment is free for expectant mothers up until their child’s first birthday. All you need is to be an NHS patient and to have a current maternity exemption certificate.”

The findings have been revealed as part of National Smile Month, a month-long campaign run by the British Dental Health Foundation. The campaign, which draws to a close on 20 June, promotes three key messages for oral health:

– Brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste,

– Cut down on how often you have sugary foods and drinks,

– Visit the dentist regularly, as often as they recommend.

Common Mistakes Made When Brushing Your Teeth

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Ah, brushing your teeth; It’s one of theimages most ingrained habits in the UK, and it’s something that everyone knows how to do, right?  Well, not always.  There is actually evidence that quite a lot of people still make some fairly basic errors when brushing their teeth.  Because we’re nice, we’ve put together this little list of some of the most common mistakes that people make:

Not picking a brush with the right bristles.  As time goes by, toothbrushes are becoming more and more varied in terms of their design and the way in which the bristles work.  Though they still come down to the same patterns – straight and angled – the materials used for them has changed quite a bit, with everything from solid plastic to the traditional fibres a part of modern bristles.  This means that the tougher brushes are even more unsuitable for those with weaker gums, and yet many people who suffer from small amounts of bleeding without brushing still use them.  Needless to say, this is a seriously bad idea.

Not brushing enough.  This is possible the most common mistake, with a great many people simply not brushing either enough times a day or for a long enough period.  The typically recommended time period is for at least two minutes each time, at least twice a day taking place.   Any less will often lead to problems in the long run.

Brushing too hard.  The other main error is to actually brush too hard or for too long, as this can both expose the root of the tooth to some irritation, as well as erasing the enamel on the teeth.    It can also cause serious damage to the gums if over a prolonged period of time.

Not brushing the inside.  Watch any toothpaste advert, and you’ll inevitably be confronted with the sight of some gorgeous person, frantically brushing away at the front and centre teeth. Unfortunately, this has led to a great many people not taking their inside cleaning as seriously as the outside, meaning that plaque will quite often build up the mouth side.  Needless to say, you should spend just as much time cleaning the inside as the outside.  A lack of inside cleaning will likely lead to you visiting a dentist like Kool Smiles.

Not replacing their toothbrush often enough.  If you wash up in the old-fashioned way, imagine having to use the same sponge or scourer for six months.  Not a pleasant thought, is it, all that muck and dirt being scrubbed back onto those clean dishes?  As an item that spends half of its time soaking wet and cleaning up dirt, a toothbrush needs to be replaced around every couple of months to ensure it is helping and not hurting.

Not rinsing.  Again, the best way to think of this is to imagine having a good bath and then not rinsing the tub down afterwards!  A good rinse is the perfect way to ensure all of the bacteria and food that the brushing has scrubbed away from the teeth is sent back down the plughole.  Not doing so means it will linger around the mouth, which isn’t what anybody wants.

Your Ultimate Festival Survival Guide

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festivalstyleFrom a field in the West Country to the Nevada desert, festivals are sexy! Mud, hot pants, sun, hot pants, alcohol, hot pants.  The pressure to appeal to the opposite sex is on.  Here’s our hedonistic health kit with everything you need to make you cleaner, safer, pain-free and altogether hotter this festival season!

Talking dirty

When you are jumping up and down to your favourite band in the middle of a muddy field, oral hygiene will be the last thing on your mind. If you know that the excitement of live music will be enough for you to forget the toothbrush then why not try Oraldiet. Oraldiet is an innovative oral probiotic lozenge that contains the probiotic lactobacillus reuteri. The formulation binds to your saliva and therefore stays in the mouth – allowing you to feel fresh for longer. The presence of aloe vera gel ensures that your mouth flora kept healthy at all times, leaving you to concentrate on more important things – like which stage to visit. Oraldiet is available from www.revital.co.uk. £6.35 for 30 lozenges.

Best foot forward

Plastic wellies may be great for trudging through muddy fields, but they can cause your tootsies to sweat and smell.  If your wellies are causing a stink, try using a good foot deodorant such as Carnation Footcare’s Cool Foot spray to keep feet dry, clean and sweat-free; the perfect remedy after a day’s hard welly-wearing. Carnation Footcare’s Cool Foot spray is available from www.firstaidfast.co.uk £3.83.

 

Keep it clean

A combination of dancing, lack of showers and mud means one thing: sweat! Make sure you are the last one dancing with Thursday Plantation’s Tea Tree Deodorant. The 100% Tea Tree formulation will keep you feeling fresh and clean throughout the whole day whilst the aloe vera extract will sooth your skin during the sweatiest of musical moments. It’s also organic and aluminum free, meaning you’ll be feeling at one with nature whilst shaking your body to the beat. Thursday Plantation’s Tea Tree Deodorant is available from www.revital.co.uk £4.95 for 60ml.

Get water savvy

Shona Wilkinson, Head Nutritionist at The Nutri Centre, www.nutrticentre.com, recommends drinking plenty of water throughout the day ‘to help maintain energy levels, a clear head, and because dehydration will only worsen the effects of any alcohol you drink later on.  If the weather’s hot and sunny and you’re sweating a lot, you’ll also be losing vital salts and minerals.  Try adding an electrolyte solution to your water to maintain the correct levels. Elete Electrolyte water, £5.52 from www.nutricentresports.com makes 10 litres of hydration liquid, is 100% natural and is taste and calorie-free.’’