Tag Archives: tips

Oral Hygiene: Debunking 5 Popular Myths About Flossing

Although most everyone knows they need to floss their teeth at least once a day, few heed the directions of their dentist. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, around a third of Americans never floss their teeth. Some people do not floss because they continue to believe erroneous myths regarding the practice. With this guide, these myths will be debunked and individuals will better understand the importance of flossing their teeth regularly.

Why Is Flossing So Important?

Flossing is an essential part of caring for the teeth. In addition to seeking a teeth cleaning dentist near me, individuals need to make sure they floss at least once a day. Flossing is essential because it removes plaque and food particles from between the teeth. If these substances are left in place, they can harden and calcify, turning into tartar.

Tartar is a damaging substance that can break down the protective enamel and cause erosions. Eventually, erosions lead to cavities. Those who do not floss their teeth are more likely to experience cavities that can be damaging and cause pain.

Debunking 5 Popular Myths About Flossing

Unfortunately, there are myths that continue to be perpetuated, despite having been debunked by dentists all over the world. It is important individuals understand these myths are false so they can start ensuring they floss their teeth on a daily basis.

1. Flossing is only important for removing stuck foods.

This is obviously wrong on all levels. Although removing food debris is undoubtedly a benefit of tooth flossing, there is more to its benefits. Flossing also removes plaque and bacteria that can lead to cavities.

2. Individuals do not need to floss if they brush their teeth carefully.

Yes, brushing at least twice a day helps to protect the teeth from cavities, but toothbrushes cannot get between the teeth. Combining brushing and flossing helps to ensure the teeth are protected against plaque and bacteria that can cause decay. It’s also important to know when should kids start flossing so they can develop proper oral hygiene habits early on, reducing the risk of dental issues later in life.

3. Flossing is too much work.

Many people make the mistake of believing effective flossing takes a lot of time and effort. Flossing does not take long. With the latest single flossers and other tools, this chore has become easier than ever.

4. Dentists cannot tell if patients have not flossed.

This is entirely false. Dentists can easily tell if their patients have been skipping flossing. Tartar buildup between the teeth is a telltale sign a person has not been flossing as they should. Patients should not bother lying to their dentist about flossing because they can tell.

5. Bleeding gums is normal after flossing

Healthy gum tissue should not bleed. Bleeding and painful gums after flossing could mean a person has gingivitis. Unfortunately, gingivitis can lead to gum disease and eventual tooth loss. Gingivitis requires dental treatment right away.

Proper Flossing Is Important

Individuals need to make sure they floss their teeth at least once a day using the right technique. It is important to use a gentle back and forth motion while being careful not to cut into the gum tissue by being too forceful. When in doubt, a person should ask their dentist for proper instructions on flossing.

Conclusion

Now that the flossing myths have finally been debunked for the last time, individuals will better understand the importance of caring for their teeth. Proper flossing is essential for removing the plaque and bacteria that can lead to problems with decay. In addition to brushing and flossing, individuals need to make sure they see the dentist a couple of times a year for checkups.

Responsible Drinking: 5 Tips on How to Limit Your Alcohol Intake

Enjoying a drink in the company of others is a perfectly acceptable and sociable thing to do from time to time but if you are one of those people who seem to struggle to know when to stop having any more alcohol it could lead to problems.

You might think it is a long journey between having one or two too many drinks and spending some time in a peaceful drug and alcohol rehab center to help put yourself right, but it is not that difficult for some of us to end up with an addiction problem.

Here are some pointers on how to keep your drinking under control by limiting your alcohol intake.

Make sure you eat

Some cultures enjoy food and drink together and there is some sense in that approach as a way of cutting your intake.

Eating food can reduce any cravings you might be feeling for alcohol and if you are eating a meal at the same time as drinking it makes sense that you may well end up drinking less because you feel full.

Know how many drinks you have had

It is always a good idea to know exactly how many drinks you have had and counting your drinks is a good strategy for helping you to reduce or slow your pace of drinking.

Make sure you are honest and disciplined with your counting as it can definitely prove to be an incentive to reduce your drinking levels when you see how much alcohol you are consuming.

Take your time

It often pays to be disciplined about quickly you are consuming your drinks throughout the evening.

It can often be the case that if you are someone who has a natural inclination to consume alcoholic drinks quickly, especially the first few drinks at the start of an evening, that puts you at greater risk of becoming too dependent on alcohol.

Try sipping your drinks and if you can limit your alcohol intake to one drink per hour it could make a big difference to how much you end up drinking.

You will definitely feel much better when you consume alcohol at a much slower pace – your body will thank you for it! And don’t forget to take care of yourself as much as possible the morning after too. Regardless of whether you take a nice soak in the bath or decide to use something like an Asian Flush Patch to reduce the feeling of nausea, there are many things you can do to feel better overall.

Remove yourself from temptation

If you have already noticed that you are drinking too much and want to try and cut down or stop drinking altogether for the time being it would be a good idea to make a conscious decision to avoid the sort of scenarios that act as a trigger for your drinking.

If you can avoid certain settings or situations for a while as you attempt to reduce your alcohol intake it should reduce any urges you might feel to put a drink in your hand.

Learn when to say no to a drink

If you are a naturally sociable person it can be all too easy to spend the evening with a regular fresh drink of alcohol in your hand.

Try to be disciplined about saying no to the offer of a drink and remember that you can still have fun without resorting to alcohol in order to get the party started.

If you can follow these responsible drinking tips it could help you to stay in control of how much alcohol you consume.

5 Easy Practices To Lead A Healthier Lifestyle

lifestyle, health, diet, nutrition, fitness, exercise
Unsplash

When you focus on becoming healthier you can improve just about every aspect of your life. You’ll have more energy, improve your mood, and perhaps even excel in your career. To make some lifestyle adjustments today, consider these five easy practices.

1 . Think about your mental health

To lead a healthier lifestyle it’s important to put your mental health. first The key is to find strategies to deal with stress and to talk about problems and emotions. For many people, exercise is a useful stress coping strategy. In particular, yoga is an amazing practice to reduce stress levels. Other useful practices to reduce stress include:

  • Aromatherapy and massages.
  • Taking plant supplements including valerian root or ashwagandha.
  • Meditating, (there are plenty of meditation apps for beginners).
  • Get inspired by reading self-care books or listening to personal development podcasts.

2. Improve your sleep

If you don’t get enough sleep you’ll feel irritable, low-energy, and stressed out. Struggling to sleep can start to affect your physical and mental health. To get a better night’s sleep, there are plenty of things you can do:

  • Turn off your electronics one hour before you go to sleep.
  • Practice a relaxing activity before bedtime, whether that’s meditation or aromatherapy.
  • Check out the asleep audio app, a few options include Calm, Slumber, or Pzizz.
  • Ensure that you choose the right mattress and consider using blackout blinds in your bedroom.

You could also consider some supplements that can work alongside other ideas to help you have a restful night’s sleep. When researching the best sleep supplement for your needs, make sure you shortlist possible supplements that have natural ingredients.

3. Grow your own foods

Growing your own fruits and vegetables is a great way to eat well and live a greener lifestyle. To help you get some inspiration, try these podcasts:

  • The Joe Gardener Show: Here you’ll get plenty of organic gardening tips from expert gardeners. Learn how to create a wildlife-friendly garden and how to grow the best veg!
  • Row by Row Garden Show: This is the perfect podcast for anyone who wants to grow their own food. Here you’ll learn how to improve your harvest, and which varieties you should plant. These podcasts are both great tools to help you live a healthier lifestyle.

4. Book regular health visits

To prioritize your health, remember to schedule important health checks. You might need a physical exam or blood pressure check? Perhaps it’s been some time since you’ve had your eyes tested or a hearing exam? It’s best to schedule a hearing check every two years. If you’ve started to experience hearing loss symptoms, you’ll need to book an appointment as soon as you can. Your audiologist will be able to perform a hearing exam and recommend a hearing aid if necessary. An audiologist can offer hearing aid troubleshooting advice, or recommend further support.

5. Perfect your fitness regime

Perfecting your fitness regime is the key to improving your health. The key is to set realistic goals that fit around your lifestyle. If you struggle to make time for the gym, try fitness apps that you can use at home. A few great options include 7 Minute Workouts, Nike Training Club, and Daily Yoga. With achievable fitness goals, you’ll start to make progress. When you set goals, focus on how often you will exercise, and for how long.

Leading a healthier lifestyle doesn’t need to be complicated, the key is to make gradual adjustments over time.