When it comes to health, people like to break it down into the different parts of health when they take care of themselves, like some sort of checklist. There’s your mental health, your social health, your emotional health, your financial health, and your physical health (which can be broken down into oral/dental, muscular, cardio, and even spine). I’m probably missing some, but these are some big categories we like to break it down into. Now, if you’re taking care of each of these as if they are a part of some larger checklist, that’s great. But if you’re only focusing on your physical health, like just working out, you’re missing a big, big part of the picture that is your health in its entirety. And the thing is, so many people do this when focusing on improving themselves. Working out is at the top of people’s list, because they realize it makes them look better, feel better, and is something attributed to a longer, healthier life. You can’t blame them, right? But what about the other aspects of health? What about your social and emotional health? What can you do to take care of those aspects so that you’re in a good place with friends, society, and your feelings? And your mental health? The importance of it cannot be understated, yet we don’t always talk about our problems, our worries, our fears, our hopes, or our underlying issues. In fact, it’s almost a thing to bury those problems instead of put them out in the open for inspection and help, and that’s the wrong way to do it. And dental health is an entirely different beast that needs tending to. While everyone knows to brush twice a day and floss daily, not everyone does it. In fact, the majority probably don’t do this on the regular because “life gets in the way.” But dental health is one of those things that has a direct impact on the rest of your health. Gum disease can lead to cardiovascular issues. Teeth rotting can cause severe pain and affect your diet for quite some time. And both of these things can affect your breath, which may or may not affect things like meeting new people (or romantic partners) and even your self confidence, a big part of your social health.
The fact of the matter is that we need to re-envision our health as a comprehensive thing. All of the different facets of health feed into one another, and the more we boost multiple of them, the more they’re all reinforced for the better.
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Gum disease is one of those things that everyone has heard of, most people have, and most don’t know they have it. It’s kind of like HPV in that a large portion of the population has it yet aren’t aware that they have it. Before I get into the topic at hand, though, I want to preface everything by saying that the best way to handle gingivitis (gum disease) is by going to your dentist. There is no better, more efficient, or faster way at treating and reversing gum disease than visiting your dentist and allowing them to assess the situation. But, because it’s so common, a lot of people would prefer to at least tackle some of the problem on their own while they can. Whether that’s to handle the issue in the meantime while they wait for their next dentist’s visit or they want to speed up the process, these at-home remedies can at least alleviate some of the pain and bleeding caused by gum disease. Some risk factors that can lead to gingivitis include crooked teeth, diabetes, pregnancy, poor oral hygiene, smoking, stress, and poor diet. Salt water Rinsing with salt water at home solves a bunch of dental problems, but for gum disease, it’s especially helpful. It can soothe and heal your gums, especially after brushing. (Don’t forget to rinse with mouthwash right after swishing with salt water, too.) Antiseptic mouthwash is your best bet here, as herbal mouthwashes have no scientific backing of helping to reduce plaque and gingivitis. Probiotics Probiotics help to reduce harmful bacteria that cause gingivitis. So, things like yogurt, kombucha, and even sauerkraut can help your gums. Berries and nuts Cranberries and tree nuts in particular are good at keeping your teeth healthy but also work well in ending gingivitis. These shouldn’t require any coaxing on your part to actually eat since they’re both particularly tasty and full of nutrients as is. Vegetables From leafy greens to celery stalks, vegetables are great at cleaning your teeth and gums just by chewing on them when eating. Don’t underestimate the power of eating your greens: they’re packed at the brim with nutrients, too. Fruits Apples and citrus fruits in general are great for warding off gingivitis and even helping to reverse its effects.
No matter what you choose to do or eat to help your gum disease, know you’re not alone and there’s no reason to be embarrassed since a huge portion of Americans also have it. Just be sure to talk to your dentist about best practices to help reverse the effects. |
Franklyn MclendonHealth Blogger, Fitness Enthusiast, Traveler ArchivesCategories |