Health 'Bites': 8 Things You Didn't Know About Your Teeth

(MS) - Oral health is often a window to overall health. Evidence supports the link between poor oral health and such conditions as stroke, premature birth and diabetes. Other conditions, such as HIV/AIDS and osteoporosis, may show preliminary signs in your mouth before other areas of the body are affected. Also, some of your daily activities or habits can affect your oral health. Therefore, it pays to pay attention to your teeth and gums.

Elisa Mello, DDS and clinical assistant professor at NYU College of Dentistry who, with her husband Ramin Tabib, DDS, established their practice, NYC Smile Design provides this valuable insight into dental hygiene.

1. Millions of Americans can crack a walnut with their teeth. While most adults exert about 20 to 40 pounds of pressure when their teeth make contact, millions of Americans exert as much as 250 pounds of pressure on their teeth - enough to crack a walnut. These teeth grinders are known as bruxers. Bruxism may be mild and may not even require treatment. However, it can be frequent and severe enough to lead to damaged teeth, jaw disorder, headaches, and other problems. To prevent damage to the teeth, mouth guards or appliances have been used to treat teeth grinding and clenching.

2. Bulimia and acid reflux can destroy tooth enamel. Many people suffering from bulimia are able to hide the disorder from others but it is more difficult to keep it a secret from your dentist. Enamel erosion is a major sign of bulimic behavior. And acid reflux, whereby stomach acid flows into the esophagus and mouth, can cause tooth and gum erosion.

3. Swimming in overly chlorinated pools can wear away the enamel in frequent swimmers. Fluoride treatments can be given to help keep the teeth strong. Swimming with a well-adapted and custom-fitted mouth guard, which can minimize exposure of teeth to chlorine, also helps.

4. Soda and citrus drink overuse can be caustic to tooth enamel. The average American drinks more than 53 gallons of soft drinks each year, more than any other beverage, including milk, beer, coffee, or water. Phosphoric acid in soda and citric acid in citrus drinks can cause tooth enamel corrosion and the sugar can cause cavities.

5. Most people don't know they have bad breath. Dr. Mello suggests this test: Using dental floss or a tongue scrapper, sniff either the floss or the scrapper. If your mouth is clean, you won't have a telltale smell.

6. Infection and trauma can cause tooth enamel defects. Nutritional deficiencies during infancy, antibiotic use such as tetracycline, high fever, and trauma can all lead to tooth enamel irregularities such as pitting.

7. Eighty percent of Americans over the age of 35 have some form of gum disease. It can range from simple gum inflammation, called gingivitis, to serious disease that results in damage to the bone. In gingivitis, the gums become red and swollen. They can bleed easily. Untreated gingivitis can lead to periodontitis, in which the gums pull away from the teeth and form pockets of infection. If ignored, the bones, gums and connective tissue supporting the teeth are destroyed.

8. One in four adults age 60 and older has lost all of his/her teeth. A good oral hygiene program should include twice daily brushing, flossing, eating a balanced diet, limiting between-meal snacks, and regular visits to your dentist for professional cleaning and oral exams.

New York based restorative and cosmetic dentists Drs. Mello and Tabib emphasize that treatment for these oral healthcare problems can range from simple cosmetic services such as teeth-whitening to extensive full-mouth reconstruction. But remember that an ounce of prevention is definitely worth a pound of cure.

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Aging Healthily Not a Mystery

(MS) - Whether it's fruitful or not, people tend to worry more about their health as they age. For some, the worrying can be productive, forcing them to overhaul a lifestyle that might not be healthy. For others, the worrying might only compound existing problems.

While it's understandable and necessary to focus more on health as the aging process progresses, taking care of oneself and aging healthily doesn't have to be as hard as it seems. Instead, having an understanding of the human body and what happens to it as it ages can go a long way toward maintaining a healthy lifestyle well into one's golden years.

Whenever health comes into question, the first thing to cross most people's minds is their diet. Dietary changes are necessary as we get older for a variety of reasons.

· Shifting energy levels: One of the foremost reasons diet changes are needed as we age is the loss of energy that comes with age. Because the body's energy levels decrease over time, fewer calories are needed to function on a daily basis. If caloric intake is not reduced as we age, weight gain and other negative physical consequences can result.

· Weakening bones: Dietary changes are also necessary to defend oneself against injuries that can result from bones weakening as the body ages. As we get older, bones begin to lose mineral content, making them more susceptible to breaks and other injuries. In addition, the body is more susceptible to osteoporosis, a condition in which bones become brittle and fragile, as it ages. Calcium can help prevent injuries to bones and osteoporosis, emphasizing the importance of making calcium a part of your daily diet.

· Shift in production: Ever wonder why a middle-aged man can eat the same diet as a young man but the physical evidence (namely the difference in body type) will not indicate this to be true? This is because as a body ages it begins producing more body fat and less muscle. This means reducing the amount of fat in your diet as you age and exercising more to combat the reduction in muscle tissue production is necessary. It's best to consult a physician for any specific dietary changes, but in general reducing fat intake while including more protein in your diet is a good start toward combating the production shift that takes place as the body ages.

Another thing to expect as you age is changes to your cardiovascular system. The most noticeable change is the heart loses some of its efficiency with respect to pumping blood. Part of that loss of efficiency is due to blood vessels losing some of their elasticity, making it harder for blood to be pumped. With the heart now working harder to do the same job it's been doing for years, certain changes must be made to reduce stress on the heart. One is reducing fat intake. Someone who has a diet high in fat runs the very dangerous risk of having fatty deposits form on their artery walls, stiffening those walls as a result while increasing blood pressure and making it even harder for the heart to pump blood. This is another reason to reduce fat intake as you age.

While much of the discussion thus far has focused on ways to lose weight and maintain a healthy weight, many people, particularly the elderly, find themselves underweight as they get older. Unbeknownst to many, being underweight can be just as damaging as being overweight.

Perhaps the biggest risk you run when being underweight is associated with turning a cold or other short-term illness into a much bigger problem. Keeping a healthy weight helps ensure that your body is resilient, fully capable of handling some ailments, such as cold or flu, that can afflict anyone, regardless of age. Being underweight lessens your energy reserves, meaning you won't be able to bounce back as quickly should you get the flu or a cold. Sometimes, you might not be able to bounce back at all, leading to permanent disability or, in some cases, death.

For those who are underweight, be sure to eat three meals a day. Underweight people can find that finishing a meal is tough. If you're in that boat, this is okay, but make sure you eat the highest calorie foods on the plate first. If you need to leave anything on the plate, don't leave the items that will help you get back to a healthy weight.

CAPTION: Daily exercise, regardless of age, is one way to ensure the aging process is a graceful one.

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Wedding Day Skin Beauty Tips

(MS) - You bought the gown, scheduled the hairstylist, and picked out the bridal accessories. But are you forgetting about one of the most important parts of looking beautiful on your wedding day: your face?

Every bride wants to shine on her wedding day, but she probably doesn't want her skin to shine, too. Problems like oily, dry, or irritated skin plague a good portion of the population. But on your wedding day you don't want skin inconveniences to ruin your festivities.

"One of the best ways to put your best face forward is to know your skin type, what causes you to breakout, and to avoid any products or foods that may contribute to the problem - at least until the last wedding photo has been snapped," says Brooke Tilson, a Toronto makeup artist. If you don't know the answers to these questions, you may want to visit a dermatologist a few months before the wedding to talk about your concerns and to get recommendations for proper skin care.

In addition to professional skin advice, here are some other ways to maximize your beauty potential come your wedding day.

Cleansing and Toning

Healthy skin starts with clean skin. Be sure to remove makeup every night and wash your face with a mild cleanser appropriate for your skin type twice daily. Toners can refresh the skin, dry up any extra oil on the surface and clean out pores. Now is not the time to experiment with the latest and greatest products out there. You don't want to risk irritation to your skin before your wedding day.

Be Gentle

When cleansing, drying, or even applying makeup, treat your skin with a soft hand. Blot gently with cotton balls or swabs, and avoid tugging or rubbing the skin. Not only can this cause redness or irritation, it may also contribute to long-term wrinkling.

Not So 'Sun'sational

Many brides-to-be believe that suntanning will cure many of their skin ailments. This isn't the case. While sunbathing may temporarily alleviate acne or breakouts, it could actually compound the problem and make outbreaks worse over time. Other ladies think that tanned skin will make them look better against their white bridal gown. However, on your wedding day you should look like the best version of you, not a complete stranger. Fair-skinned individuals may look out of place with a deep tan. Err on the side of moderate whenever contemplating modifying your skin tone, as it will affect makeup choices and other things as well. And avoid tanning booths or sitting out in the sun. If you must be tan, look for artificial spray tans or bronzers that create natural-looking color.

Makeup

Conservative, natural-looking makeup should also be the rule. The photographs you take on your wedding day will be a testament to the era and moments you shared. But you don't want to look dated when you reminisce years later. Choose muted shades on eyes, lips and cheeks that enhance, rather than cover up your beauty. Select makeup that is smudge- and waterproof so it will stand up to tears of joy and kisses from well-wishers. Pressed or loose powder can also be your best friend. It will come in handy when you have to touch up spots on your face or combat shine.

Don't hide behind a veil your entire wedding day. Learn the way to healthy, vibrant skin.

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Serum Is Scientifically Proven to Reduce Wrinkles and Reverse Sun Damage

(MS) - Each year, Americans spend millions of dollars on lotions, treatments and serums that claim to reduce the signs of aging. However, despite hefty price tags and devoted followers, only one product was independently proven in a recent study to actually repair damage to the skin's structure' Boots No7 Restore & Renew Beauty Serum.

Up until now there have been many "fixes" touting wrinkle reduction, but few, if any, had real merit. Most products are only mildly and temporarily effective at reducing fine lines and other facial creasing. But in Spring 2007, all that changed when the BBC aired a program called "Horizon," which conducted scientific tests to find out what anti-aging treatments actually work.

Dr. Rachel Watson of Manchester University and a team of researchers conducted studies on skin aging, especially the effect of UV light on structures like fibrillin, which provides support to the skin's surface. Boots No7 Restore & Renew Beauty Serum was the one product that was shown to reverse sun damage.

Tests showed that the Serum has a similar effect to retinoic acid - a prescription-only treatment that's known to repair the signs of photo-aging. Testing was carried out on volunteers and by measuring levels of fibrillin (one of the skin's proteins that is affected by UV damage to skin).
Watson's team was actually able to see the serum begin to repair damage to the skin's structure. In tests carried out in everyday conditions, the formula actually produced measurable reductions in wrinkle depth.

"The complex in Boots No7 Restore & Renew Beauty Serum addresses the different underlying problems with wrinkles - reduced collagen production, increased collagen breakdown, and lost elastin," says Steve Barton, Boots' Skincare Advisor. "The product's ingredients, specially chosen for their beneficial effects on the skin, include among other things peptides that have been shown to increase the levels of supporting collagen, and white lupin extract to reduce the breakdown of collagen."

Immediately after the program aired, stores in the U.K. sold out of the serum amidst hordes of customers eager to get their hands on the effective and affordable treatment. Boots, the No. 1 U.K. cosmetics and skincare brand, began running their factories 24 hours a day to be able to meet the demand for the Serum. Thirteen tubes are sold every minute according to the latest company research, and customers are often placed on waiting lists to manage the demand for the Serum.

Although the scientific evidence to support its claims sets Boots No7 Restore & Renew Beauty Serum apart from all the other anti-aging products, the product and the No7 line have also been well-received by tastemakers around the world, including everyone from top beauty editors to celebrities.

Genevieve Monsma, Beauty Director of Shape magazine, said of the Serum, "One of my personal favorites has everything that you really need for your anti-aging regimen, all in one product, and it's 20 bucks. It's Boots' Restore & Renew."

A-list celebrities Madonna, Keira Knightley and Teri Hatcher are all fans of the Boots No7 line, and Paris Hilton had the opportunity to put Boots No7 Restore & Renew Beauty Serum to the test for herself at the Boots launch event in May.

Luckily for women on this side of the Atlantic, Boots No7 Restore & Renew Beauty Serum can be purchased at Target and select CVS/pharmacy stores across the country, and on CVS.com and Target.com, for just $21.99! A skin-firming and complexion-brightening serum, Restore & Renew delivers visible results.

To learn more about Boots products, visit http://www.boots.com/.

CAPTION: The frenzy over a wrinkle treatment that began in Britain is now exciting women in this country.

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Achieve Great Honeymoon Hair

(MS) - Aruba, Jamaica, Bermuda, Bahamas . these tropical paradises are some of the top honeymoon destinations for couples. Chances are, where there is soft, sandy beaches, palm trees swaying, and lush foliage, you'll find newlyweds basking in the sun.

Carribbean, South Pacific, and Mediterranean getaways can be terrific for bonding and enjoying the first few days of romance as a married couple. But they can be challenging for women looking to maintain beautiful post-wedding hair. That's because humidity and salt-filled breezes are as common in the tropics as picturesque sunsets and steel drum bands.

That's why top celebrity hair stylist Ellin LaVar offers tips to fight frizz and make peace with hard to manage hair for your honeymoon.

· Don't fight the texture. Choose a style that allows you to wear your hair naturally. It will cut down on time and frustration. Your honeymoon should be carefree, not spent in front of a hotel mirror trying to tame your hair.

· When in doubt, braid it out. Braids are always fun and casual. Twist or braid hair at night after applying gel or setting lotion. Loosen in the morning for a soft, long-lasting wave.

· Where's the curl, girl? Women with curly hair should embrace their natural hair texture. Use a product that is designed to combat frizz along with a product that enhances natural curl. Light styling gels like LiquidGlass or LiquidMotion from Ellin LaVar TexturesTM allow you to tame frizz without grease or heaviness.

· Twist and go. Chignons and messy buns are always a quick answer to brutal summer humidity. From the beach to an evening out on the town, twists, buns and ponytails can be adorned with flowers, jewelry and other fun accessories.

· Sun protection starts at the top. Don't forget to protect hair from the sun! Apply a deep conditioner after swimming in chlorine or salt water and tuck under a hat. The heat will make the conditioner penetrate deeper and will keep hair from becoming dry and brittle.
Watch Ellin and her team in the hit original series, Hair Trauma, on WEtv. The Ellin LaVar TexturesTM collection is available exclusively at CVS/pharmacy nationwide.

CAPTION: Carefree, honeymoon hair leaves time for, um, more important things.

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Get the Facts About Acne Treatments

(MS) - By now, most people are familiar with the common skin condition acne. Everyone from teenagers to adults, and celebrities to regular folk have experienced acne, and all of the nodules, blackheads, whiteheads, and cysts that go along with the package.

Because acne is such a visible condition, and one that brings embarrassment to many people despite how commonplace it is, the search is on for the fastest and most effective ways to clear up the complexion. Over time certain myths have developed promising miracle treatments for acne. It should be noted that treating acne takes diligence and time.

Acne treatment can be categorized in three main ways: OTC for minor to moderate cases, prescription for moderate to severe cases, and experimental - made up of homespun remedies that may or may not work.

Over the Counter (OTC) Treatments

OTC acne treatments typically consist of face washes, soaps and topical products that work over a series of days or weeks. The pimple that you see on your face has been developing for a while, so it's unreasonable to expect that any treatment method will produce immediate results. However, with regular use, results may be apparent anywhere from 2 to 8 weeks.

The common ingredients found in OTC acne treatments are benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. Here's a brief explanation of what they do.

Benzoyl peroxide is an antibacterial medication that is used to clear up the bacteria that aggravate the acne condition. Acne is not caused by dirt or eating greasy foods. It is the result of excessive oil production in hair follicles that gets trapped in pores along with shed skin cells. Bacteria can grow in this environment, aggravating the pores. Benzoyl peroxide kills the bacteria and also dries out the skin so that outer layers fall off and therefore do not contribute to pore blockage.

Salicylic acid is a keratolytic drug (a drug that removes the outer layer of skin) that is used to treat various skin conditions, like warts and pimples.

Many OTC products feature a combination of benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, so that skin is exfoliated and cleansed of bacteria.

Aggressive Treatments

Topical products are applied directly to the skin. There are prescription products that dermatologists can suggest.

Topical antibiotics help stop, slow, and prevent bacterial growth and reduce inflammation. Topical retinoids are made from vitamin A and work by opening clogged pores. Dermatologists claim that topical retinoids work to normalize the life cycle of the pilosebaceous unit (follicle and sebaceous glands). Some other topical products that may be prescribed include sulfur, zinc, and resorcinol.

Oral medications can also be prescribed for acne. They are either antibiotic or retinoid in nature. Because they are ingested, the side effects of oral medications are usually more marked. They can affect birth control pills and make the skin more sun sensitive.

Other possible treatments may include phototherapy, where a light absent of harmful UV rays is shone on the skin to clear up conditions; hormonal treatments, since sebum (oil) production in glands is usually triggered by hormonal changes; and cryotherapy, where liquid nitrogen is used to freeze and break up pimple lesions.

Alternative Treatments

These homespun remedies may work for some people, but because the skin is delicate, could end up causing more harm than good.

Toothpaste: A dab of paste - not gel - in a non-whitening variety is purported to dry up pimples. However, sensitive skin could be irritated by toothpaste.

Aspirin: Some people say you can break up a regular aspirin (not acetaminophen or ibuprofen) and make a paste using a little water and dab it on the pimple until it clears up. The aspirin will reduce the swelling and pain.

Tea Tree Oil: This has natural antibacterial properties that can help clear up pimples.

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Quit strategies for a smoke-free lifestyle

(NC)-In his practice, at any given time, Dr. Charl Els sees hundreds of patients who are highly addicted to tobacco. As director of the Tobacco Dependence Service at the University of Alberta, and Board member of the Canadian Society of Addiction Medicine, Dr. Els is at the forefront of the latest smoking prevention and treatment options. His patients may come from all walks of life, but many of them share the same challenges when it comes to quitting smoking.

"One of the biggest misconceptions about smoking is that it's often viewed as a lifestyle choice, and not a medical condition," says Dr. Els. "The reality is this is a bona fide chronic relapsing disease."

While the majority of smokers do want to quit at some point in the future, many feel they are not ready or able to quit now.

"Many patients fear withdrawal symptoms, weight gain, or even just failure itself," says Dr. Els. "Quit strategies need to address both the emotional and physical addiction."

Even though most smokers would like to quit, long-term success rates are modest: less than 10 per cent without treatment, and approximately 25 per cent with treatment.

Health Canada recently approved a new approach to smoking cessation using Nicorette Gum that helps smokers gradually reduce their cigarette consumption before stopping completely. This strategy, called Reduce-to-Quit TM (RTQ), offers a prescribed three-step reduction process spanning a four to six month time period.

"Nicotine replacement therapy is among the best, safest therapy for patients - it no doubt enhances their success," says Dr. Els. "Many patients find it extremely difficult to quit all at once, the key is to quit one cigarette at a time, one day at a time. For many of those I treat it is a more practical way of achieving complete cessation because you can control when you are ready to stop. This, combined with effective counseling and support from family and friends can really make a difference."

You can find more information on quit strategies by speaking with your doctor or online at www.reducetoquit.ca.

Credit: www.newscanada.com

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