There are many key reasons why attending consistent cleanings is important to your overall oral health and well-being. These appointments are necessary to keep your teeth happy, healthy, and long-lasting! Here are the top 7 reasons to have your teeth cleaned thoroughly and frequently at your dentist.
1. Maintain overall dental health. As you attend regular cleanings, your dentist is able to keep a close eye on any changes in your oral health. Your dentist will help you maintain clean, healthy teeth while closely monitoring your individual mouth’s situation.
2. Flash a brighter smile. Most people want to attend teeth cleanings to brighten their smiles – whether to impress coworkers, family members, or even the opposite sex! A teeth cleaning can help clear up many unattractive tooth discolorations from staining substances such as coffee and tobacco. Even if a sparkling smile is your only reason for scheduling cleanings, consistent cleanings will grant you a myriad of other long-term benefits.
3. Detect arising oral problems early on. When you attend frequent cleanings, your dentist can detect arising oral problems far earlier than if you wait until you are in excruciating pain to darken the door of a dentist’s office! Early detection is key in resolving any major health issue – the earlier any severe oral problem such as a cavity or abscess is addressed, the better.
4. Prevent bad breath. Good oral hygiene is the #1 way to prevent bad breath! Tartar and plaque buildup on your teeth increases your chances of developing bad breath. Dental hygienists often achieve a far more thorough cleaning than you can accomplish by brushing alone – cleanings eliminate plaque for your best breath possible!
5. Use your insurance or dental plan. Many an insurance or dental plan will pay for a certain number of cleanings per year. Take full advantage of these appointments to get the most for the money that you pay to an insurance company — if you pay for an insurance, then you might as well use it! A discount dental plan may even discount an unlimited number of cleanings per year.
6. Reduce your chances of developing gingivitis and severe gum disease. When you attend your regular cleanings, your dentist is able to check your mouth for the beginnings of gingivitis and more severe gum disease. Early detection is crucial in resolving these diseases as painlessly as possible!
7. Prevent oral cancer. The more often your dentist sees inside your mouth, the more ability he or she has to check for oral cancer — early diagnosis of oral cancer may save your life.
You can be motivated to attend regular cleanings for more reasons than just whiter teeth! Though cleanings may feel like a chore, they are truly an investment in your long-term oral health. Considering the many benefits associated with frequent cleanings, be sure to attend two or more per year as recommended by your dentist.…
Maximizing Gains – Pre, During and Post Workout Nutrition
Workout is stress for the body. When we load the bar and lift it, we are stressing the muscles, joints, bones and CNS (Central Nervous System). To help the body recover from stress, we have to replenish what we have spent and provide the body with nutrients that will help in regeneration.
If you are on a strict diet, your lifting will suffer in both sets and reps. Carbs do wonders to strength and stamina (even if you are on keto diet, carbs loading is best on training day and vice versa). Caloric deficit makes body burns more calories than we consume. Since our bodies are made for survival and not beach look, our lovely bodies will rather keep fat for rainy days and not muscles. If we are stressing muscles enough even on low calorie diets, our bodies will have reason to keep those muscles and burn fat. Of course, balance in this situation depends on calorie deficit, body type, nutrition, age and many other things that are often very individual.
On the other hand, if you don’t workout with intensity and volume as before, you will not send a signal to your body that you want it to keep all of the muscles (or at least as much as possible) and lose fat.
So what do we do? We trick the body with proper nutrition before, during and after the workout. Thus, in the long run, we are in caloric deficit, but around workouts we have enough energy for good workout and enough nutrients to start muscle regeneration or even muscle growth.
Example of nutrition before, during and after workout would be:
– ~2 hours before workout, eat some complex carbs and protein, for example whole wheat pasta/veggies and fish/meat. Endomorphs should avoid even whole wheat pasta and eat only veggies with fish/meat. If you are feeling lightheaded, feel free to eat maybe even 1g of carbs per 1kg of LBM (Lean Body Mass). This meal will give you energy for next few hours – not that you will be able to set new personal records (PRs), but you should not feel lightheaded when going to the gym
– ~15 minutes before workout some liquid meal or supplement. Liquid meal would be one scoop of whey (based rather on whey concentrate then hydrolyzed whey; add some BCAA if possible) with some guarana, or just take some pre-workout energy booster supplement. This shake should give you energy boost for first few exercises. Energy levels could drop sharply if you don’t take next meal.
– Between 15th and 30th minutes of workout, drink slowly shake consisting of one scoop of whey and maybe 10g of glucose (dextrose); add some BCAA if possible. You need this nutrients to stay sharp and strong. It will give you energy to continue through the workout.
– After workout drink proper shake – one to two scoops of whey, 50-100g of glucose (dextrose), creatine, BCAA, C vitamin… glutamine if you find it useful (many people don’t, me included). This meal will increase nutrients levels in your blood, hormone insulin included. It will strongly promote muscle regeneration and recovery. Be aware that after 80-100 minutes, levels of nutrients fall sharply and you could feel really weak.
– ~1 hour after last shake, eat meal similar to last solid meal before workout – complex carbs with protein. This meal will help you stabilize blood nutrient levels. After this meal, eat you regular food according to your diet.
Is this all necessary? Not all, but both solid meals are simply must eat meals, with shake after workout (Post Work Out – PWM) highly recommended. Some people think that this is just too complicated for average trainee, but if you are serious about your diet and serious about losing fat and keeping or even gaining muscles while dieting, than this is simply something that you have to do. And if you managed to achieve beach look without this kind of pre, during and post workout nutrition, just think for a moment, what would you do if you did follow this kind of nutrition. With time passed, you will learn enough of your body, and you will be able to decide what is best for you in what situation – getting rid of the fat, peeking strength, putting on some muscle mass.
Some people don’t like meals right before and during workout – if you are one of them, then – don’t take them.
If you are ectomorph or even mesomorph on mass cycle, then by all means – eat regular food and forget gainers – they are after all just combination of some protein (mostly whey protein) with plenty of fast or moderate carbs (mostly sugar). But, be sure to always have PWM after workouts to promote muscle regeneration …
Go Organic
It used to be that when you heard organic, you thought of dirty, long-haired, chanting, barefoot hippies running around the commune. Well, I shower a couple of times a day, I shave my head, I cannot sing, I rarely go outside without shoes, and I live in a pretty modern single-family home with just my wife. And I am organic!
When you go to the store, you will notice lots of labels, organic, natural, free-range, non-GMO, etc. We are going to focus on organic, but if you want more info visit the USDA website.
So what is organic? The USDA strictly controls what can be labeled as organic. It basically certifies that crops are free of irradiation, sewage sludge, synthetic fertilizers, prohibited pesticides, and genetically modified organisms. Livestock must meet animal health and welfare standards and be free of antibiotics, growth hormones, and have been fed 100% organic feed. Products that contain multiple ingredients have 95% or more certified organic content.
So why is this nutritionally important? All you need to do is count calories and track your percentages of fats, carbohydrates and protein, right? Well what about the chemicals and toxins? They cannot be good for you. But they could not sell it if it was not safe, right? Safe is a relative term. Companies are always looking for ways to increase profits. The methods that they use do get reviewed and approved, but do not generally enjoy long-term comprehensive studies. They are deemed safe for the general population. But what does not affect one person, might be detrimental to another. And who knows what effect the years of accumulation and combination of all those artificial compounds will have. So why take the chance?
So here is my story. My wife and I are both allergic to dust, pollen, etc. Well one summer a few years ago, she was having a lot of problems with her allergies but I was fine. She seemed to get worse after meals. So she decided to investigate potential food sources through an elimination diet (it turned out to be wheat). At the same time, we decided to eat more organic foods to try and help eliminate other sources.
After being on it for a couple of months, I had to go out of town on business. We had to eat out of course. I felt terrible after the trip. I was really run down and my stomach was bothering me. I was only gone a couple of days, and I did not leave the country. After a couple of days I was back to normal. A couple of months later I had to travel again and the same exact thing happened. It finally occurred to me that my system just was not used to all of the preservatives, hormones, dyes, etc. By eating organic, I had essentially purged myself of all of the junk. So now anytime I eat a lot of non-organic food, I can tell.
One more story. I was recently contacted by a new on-line weight loss company. They are going to sell pre-packaged foods with a point system. When I inquired as to whether they used organic ingredients or not, the response pretty much said it all.
They referred to organic as a “specialty” market. And there is the problem. How in the world can food that is so pure and in its original form be considered “special”? But that is commercialism. As long as we can promise something like weight loss, we can sell any quality of food that we like to the masses.
They also said that their customers enjoyed “real” food. Well it does not get more “real” than organic. Side note, based on their website, they have not launched yet, so I wonder who exactly these customers were. And they would not provide me with the credentials of the people that developed the menu.
Now let’s talk dollars and cents. Organic foods get a bad rap for being more expensive. My counter-argument is always, why not take the money spent on doctors, prescriptions, sick days and use it up front to buy better food? Prevention through shifting your expenses. And on top of that you will probably feel better. How can you put a price on that? Now if you are not in a position to go full on, I would certainly advocate mixing them in. If you cannot eliminate, reduce. Change your fruits and vegetables or your milk or get the occasional package of organic chicken breasts. Think about personal products like shampoo or toothpaste as well. Another source of nasty chemicals being absorbed into your body.
So all I ask is that you give it some thought and try to work some organic food into your life as much as you can. Hopefully …
Percy Harvin’s Migraines Are Familiar to the Millions Seeking Relief
Percy Harvin’s Migraines Are Familiar to the Millions Seeking Relief
Offensive standout, Percy Harvin, of the Minnesota Vikings has missed several practices due to severe migraines. He was absent from last Sunday’s victory over the Bengals and will likely miss this week’s game against the Carolina Panthers due to his debilitating headaches. Harvin’s plight has made migraines fodder for water cooler conversations and Tweets across the country. Not only has it raised awareness about migraines but also exposed the average Joe’s misconceptions about them.
Vikings head coach, Brad Childress spoke for millions when he stated that medically diagnosed migraine “is a thing that none of us have a great feel for. They are so wide-ranging and people report different things. It’s different for different people.” If you were to take a poll, you’d find that most people mistakenly believe that migraines are just bad headaches. A slew of research has been conducted by physicians and dentists around the globe about the pathophysiology of migraines. Even among researchers, the causes and treatment recommendations vary drastically.
Harvin has suffered from migraines since the age of 10. Over the years, he has seen a number of doctors for several batteries of tests. Because of his sensitivity to light and sound, both common symptoms of migraines, he hasn’t even been able to be on the sidelines. Pharmaceuticals are typically prescribed for migraine treatment. Unfortunately, they’re often accompanied by adverse pharmacological side effects including birth defects, nausea, and vomiting.
There are other non-pharmacological prevention options available. One that has proven effective for the prevention of migraines would only require Harvin to take a trip to the dentist. The NTI-tss Plus is an FDA approved migraine prevention therapy. It is a small biteguard that only covers the four front teeth. Nighttime clenching and grinding of teeth can trigger migraines. The NTI-tss Plus significantly reduces the intensity of those forces. In a clinical trial reviewed by the FDA, 82% of NTI-tss users experienced a 77% reduction in migraine events.…
Stop Worrying About Your Yellow Teeth and Start Getting Them Whiter
Stop Worrying About Your Yellow Teeth and Start Getting Them Whiter
Western society weighs tooth whiteness heavily, making stained yellow teeth an embarrassing situation. With the increasingly strong desire to acquire sparkling clean teeth, many teeth whitening products have come out over the years. Some are quite expensive, others not so much. Some require you to go to your dental office, while others can simply be purchased over-the-counter.
Whether you have had professional help or not, it is natural to want to maintain healthy looking teeth. For those who cannot afford an expensive whitening procedure or a whitening kit at the moment, opt for a whitening tooth paste. While they are not as effective and you will most likely not acquire the level of whitening you desire with a whitening tooth paste alone, it is still better than nothing at all. It should be a “no brainer” why would you choose a tooth paste which includes a whitening agent opposed to one that does not. The most common reason people don’t is fear. Tooth pastes sold over the counter with whitening features are not to be feared; if you’re really worried you can always research the active ingredients listed on the back.
Also, in order to stop your teeth from getting more stained, think about the root of the problem. What kind of food are you eating? Do you have any bad habits? Drinking coffee and smoking are the two most common causes of yellowing teeth. They are sure hard to quit, but doing so has so many benefits. Not only will you improve your dental hygiene but you will also improve your overall hygiene. Think about it; smell better, look better, feel better.
So again, if you are on the cheap, start with a tooth paste with whitening features. If you keep at it you will definitely see an improvement. Sure, it may only be a shade or two improvement but you will feel awesome after you notice your teeth even a tiny bit whiter. A gradual, slow paced change is better than no change at all.…
Stop Bad Breath Permanently With The Right Toothpaste
Stop Bad Breath Permanently With The Right Toothpaste
Bad breath or halitosis is a result of poor dental care and oral hygiene. It is also sometimes the symptoms of a more serious dental problem. Knowing what causes your bad breath is important especially if the problem persist, just like making sure that you brush regularly with the right toothpaste is imperative.
Why Poor Dental Care and Oral Hygiene Can Cause Bad Breath
It is a fact that not brushing your teeth and flossing regularly can promote bacterial growth around the gums, between teeth and tongue. The bacteria and the food particles stuck between teeth will cause the bad breath if not removed, but the worst thing is that it will also cause build up of plaque on your teeth.
Plaque is colorless, sticky mucus that forms around the teeth, if you do not brush with the right toothpaste it will harden into tartar even if you brush all the time but more so when you do not brush properly. The problem with tartar is that it cannot be remove by brushing alone so you will need to visit a dentist to get clean. Otherwise, inflammation of the gums also called gingivitis follows, a mild form of periodontal disease.
Why Bad Breath Persist?
Keep in mind that gingivitis can cause bad breath to persist even if you are brushing regularly, especially if periodontal disease already exists. Plaque buildup is the first sign of trouble, if you do not take care of the problem right away it will evolved into gum (periodontal) disease.
What Is A Gum Disease?
Gum disease is a serious problem, as possible teeth loose can occur if not stop as the infection makes the gums weaker, when this happen there is not enough support to hold the teeth. You will know if you have the disease if bad breath will not go away, even if you brush all the time. Additionally, if you experience swollen gums, bleeding, painful chewing, and your teeth start to loosen and become sensitive then you are positive with gum disease. Anyone can have gum disease, but most of the time it shows when you are in your 30s or 40s. Teenagers can also develop gum disease but usually it is just gingivitis.
How Toothpaste Can Prevent Gum Disease and Get Rid of Bad Breath
It is a fact that brushing twice or more a day can prevent plaque from developing, more so when you use formulated toothpaste and not just regular toothpaste. Take note, there are many toothpaste to choose from nowadays, but most of the toothpaste sold in supermarket does not contain the right ingredients to really clean the mouth and remove plaque.
It is important that your toothpaste can remove plaque, since it is the start of the problem. Formulated toothpaste with special ingredients will not just prevent gum disease but also treat it if the disease is already present and most importantly stop bad breath permanently.
Bad breath is an embarrassing symptom of gum disease but you can stop it by brushing with specially formulated toothpaste.…
What Is Integrative Chiropractic?
Physical health is one subject that cannot be overemphasized as our bodies need to stay in good health for us to function effectively in our day-to-day activities. With more advancement being made to modern medicine and the spotlight being more on the patients, you’d readily find individuals that specialize in a core field in medicine and this includes Integrative Chiropractic.
According to the Chiropractic Research Organization, Integrative Chiropractic is founded on the philosophy that spinal alignment plays a fundamental role in the state of health of the body. This is because the state of the spine alignment tremendously affects the nervous system and if your nervous system is healthy, then the rest of your body will be healthy.
Chiropractor vs. Physiotherapy
Seeing that chiropractics and physiotherapists overlap so much, working more with their hands in administering therapy, it may be quite difficult to tell the two apart.
The fundamental distinguishing feature between these two professions, however, lies in their specialties. While chiropractors focus majorly on spinal manipulation and realignment of this bone structure, focusing on the effect on the nervous system, physiotherapists focus more on the muscles. This is why chiropractors tend to send their patients over to physiotherapists for rehab and vice versa.
Physiotherapists are rather more diverse, handling issues in the muscles in any area of the body, unlike a chiropractor that focuses on spine alignment.
Why Integrative Chiropractic Is Good Therapy
The skeletal system of the body plays a key role in our posture. It determines our mobility, balance, flexibility, and eventually, our overall well-being and physical health. If you have experienced a fatal accident or car crash that affected the skeletal structure of your body, repetitive hands-on therapy, acupuncture, and spinal alignment can restore normal functioning of the skeletal structure.
Integrative Chiropractic also heightens mind-body self-awareness, helping you understand the origin of your discomforts, and hence access holistic treatments. This is made possible through the realignment of spinal subluxations that tend to get displaced during a major accident, disrupting the free flow of messages between the brain and the nerves.
How to Locate Experienced Integrative Chiropractors
Having seen the fundamental role Integrative Chiropractic plays in our overall physical health, there comes another daunting task of deciding which Integrative Chiropractor to settle with from among the lot.
Most qualified Integrative Chiropractors are located through referrals, so don’t hesitate to ask those with firsthand experience with Chiropractors. Integrative Chiropractic CO-based and similar offices are your best bets. Be sure to research the chiropractor’s credentials as well, confirming their qualifications.
Integrative Chiropractic has been a profound breakthrough in medicine and, with a skilled chiropractor, your overall physical health can be restored with spinal alignment.…