FitSugar

Nighttime Habits That Are Ruining Your Sleep and Health

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 14:28:16 PST

You slip under the covers, turn off the light, and rest your head on your pillow. Seems simple and perfect, but here are some things you could be doing in bed that harm your health.

Grinding your teeth: Formally called sleep bruxism, many people unknowingly clench their jaw or grind their teeth at night, which can lead to tension headaches, earaches, irritated tissue on the inside of your cheeks, jaw pain, and permanent damage to your teeth in the form of chips and worn-down enamel that cause sensitivity or cracks. Stress can be a factor, so reducing the amount of worry in your life can help. If it doesn't, see your dentist about designing your own personal mouth guard to sleep with. Not exactly the sexiest thing to wear to bed, it's sure to offer you a more restful and less painful night of sleep.
Sucking on a cough drop: If you suffer from a chronic cough, cold or sinus infection, or postnasal drip, sucking on a cough drop every night may be the only way you can get some sleep without coughing keeping you up. Although soothing to your throat, exposure to a bath of sugar all night long is sure to lead to tooth decay and cavities. Here are other natural remedies for your nighttime coughs. If the cough persists, it's time to see your doc.

Keep reading to find out what else you're doing at night that's wrecking your health.

Bizarre Health Products You Could Benefit From

Jenny Sugar — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 09:56:40 PDT

It's easy to pass judgments on healthy products since so many of them seem gimmicky, ineffective, or totally ridiculous. I would never use ear candles, not only because they don't remove ear wax, but also because flames near my hair scare the bejesus out of me. But not all bizarre-looking products are useless. Here are six products that seem a little "out there," but I can assure you from experience that they've really helped alleviate health issues and benefited my well-being.

Do You Know the Facts About Pediatric Dental Care?

LilSugar — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 05:32:34 PDT

There's a lot to think about with new babies. Parents obsess about what they eat, how much they sleep, and about finding the perfect bottle. But many parents overlook one important issue: dental care. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 20 percent of children between the ages of 2 and 5 years old have at least one untreated cavity.

The common misconception that cavities in baby teeth don't need treatment since they fall out anyway is completely wrong. Baby teeth do more than chew: they're important for jaw growth, proper speech formation, and they're the space savers for adult teeth. While baby teeth do fall out, infants and toddlers with oral health issues like cavities are at an increased risk of having the same problems with their permanent teeth. The reverse is true as well: starting a routine of good dental habits early improves their chances of a healthy mouth later.

Do you need to brush up on your dental care knowledge? Take our quiz to find out.

Take the Quiz

Careful Who You Kiss - Cavities Can Be Contagious

Heather Dale — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 13:15:58 PDT

Researchers have discovered that more than just viruses and germs can be transmitted through the mouth - cavities can be added to this list, yes . . . cavities. According to Dr. Margaret Mitchell, the cavity-causing bacteria is commonly transferred between caregivers and children because a mother will taste her child's food to see if it's too hot, therefore directly exposing her child to the germs in her saliva. Dr. Mitchell also discusses an instance where a woman had started developing cavities and gum disease after starting to date a man who had gum disease and hadn't been to a dentist in over 18 years.

Her remedy? You don't have to go cold turkey on kissing - phew - but what you do have to do is make sure you maintain your oral health by flossing and brushing regularly and chewing sugar-free gum, which helps produce more saliva and wash away bacteria.

And for all the parents out there, I suggest blowing on your child's food rather than tasting it; that way you'll decrease the amount of bacteria transferred.

Which Is Better: Electric or Manual Toothbrushes?

Heather Dale — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 12:05:44 PST

Watching my friend effortlessly clean her 1-and-a-half-year-old's teeth with an electric toothbrush was all the evidence I needed to get back into using my power tool of a toothbrush. Electric toothbrushes are fun - they feel good and they easily glide through your mouth, making brushing a breeze (don't even get me started on the flossing).

I tend to go back and forth between my GUM toothbrush (soft bristles in case you were wondering) and my electric toothbrush. Whereas 69 percent of you said that you use an electric toothbrush, so I can see which type of brush you favor. But when it comes down to it, which toothbrush gives you the biggest bang for you buck? Meaning, which toothbrush - old school manual or electric - gets the cleaning job done better?

To see what the verdict is, continue reading.

The Flossy Flossy: Flossing Made Easy

Heather Dale — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 01:00:34 PST

It's a given that everyone brushes their teeth daily - and if you don't, there really is no better time like the present! Unlike brushing, flossing habits seem to run the gamut, which is why we asked you how often you floss and an impressive forty-three percent of you said you floss at least once a day - bravo!

Flossing is very important to incorporate into your daily routine since lodged food particles between the teeth can cause plaque and bacteria buildup, which eventually leads to gingivitis. And flossing at least once a day will also reduce arterial inflammation caused by the accumulation of bacteria in your system.

OK, we know the facts, we get that flossing is important, but how can we make it easier and more fun? I'm not saying you have to do a happy dance while flossing, but if it were easier, maybe we'd be inclined to floss more. I found three helpful tools that will do just that.

The Reach Access Flosser ($3): Brought to you by the makers of the Reach razors, this flosser can go below the gum line and effortlessly helps move the floss up and down and against the tooth. And with the look and feel of a toothbrush, maybe we'll be fooled to include it in our morning routine?

Keep reading to find out what other tools I recommend for flossing.

How to Brush Your Dog's Teeth

PetSugar — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 11:19:15 PST

In case you've already forgotten, February is National Pet Dental Health month. So somewhere between the romantic getaways and Oscar bashes you're planning this month, be sure to find time to give your pet's chompers some love! I've given you teeth-cleaning tips in the past, but if you're looking for another primer on doggie tooth brushing, you're in luck: Heidi Ganahl, founder of Camp Bow Wow, has some helpful hints. Keep reading and get brushing!

Buy the Right Tools: The first step to brushing your dog’s teeth is finding the right dental equipment. Make sure you purchase a dog toothbrush that is angled and soft. For large breeds, stick to longer toothbrushes so you reach difficult places. A finger brush is easier to use on smaller animals. Remember to never use human toothpaste on dogs because it contains ingredients that can harm Fido’s stomach. There are many dog-friendly toothpaste options that come in fun flavors like peanut butter, beef, or chicken.
It’s All About Timing: It’s important to approach your dog when he is relaxed and in a good mood. Don’t force contact, because the pup will rebel against you.
Positioning: Make sure your dog is comfortable before beginning. Avoid standing above your dog in a threatening way. Instead, get on the same level and sit in front of your pet.
Prep the Gums: Test your dog’s anxiety level and willingness to have his mouth touched. Gently rub your finger on the top row of teeth and gums. You may have to repeat this step a few times before proceeding.

Four more tips after the jump!

Stop the Chomp: Tips to Quit Grinding Teeth

Michele Bell — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 04:30:33 PST

I don't like going to the dentist for many reasons. Aside from the prodding and scraping, I shutter when my dentist asks, "Have you been grinding your teeth?" While I'd love to shake my head and look at her like she's lost her mind, we both know that yours truly has taken to grinding my teeth on occasion. While getting a bite guard is the most often prescribed treatment for bruxism (that's the fancy medical term for grinding your teeth), there are a few other things that one can do to keep from clenching their way through the night.

To keep me from cracking my teeth into a bacterial oblivion, my dentist passed on some pointers to me that I'm happy to share with you. Want to check the suggestions out?

Brush Better: Tips For Better Dental Care

Michele Bell — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 04:30:45 PDT

Brush, swish, spit. If that's your dental routine, you may want to revise it. While a little brush is better than no brush at all, there are a few simple tactics that one can employ for a whiter and brighter smile. Do your pearly whites a favor and heed some of this advice from Dr. Jonathan Levine. Your smile will thank you.

Brush your teeth right when you wake up. Plaque and bacteria accumulate overnight, which is why it's important to floss and brush right away.
Avoid brushing your teeth for at least 30 minutes after eating or drinking acidic foods and beverages. If you brush too soon after consuming acidic foods or drinks, you can harm the tooth enamel.
Brush at least twice a day, if not more.
If you only have time to floss or use mouthwash, choose flossing.
Only use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste.
Change your toothbrush every three months.
Use a mouthwash to reduce plaque buildup.
If you have the funds to purchase one, buy an ultrasonic toothbrush.

Do you have any tips to share on dental care?

The Fountain of Youth Is in Your Gums

FitSugar — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 03:00:12 PDT

I dread my six-month dental checkup because I know what they're going to say - "You're not flossing, are you?" I know brushing alone doesn't help clean between your teeth, and really I have no excuse except that I just don't do it.

Here's some news that'll have us all reaching for the floss. When you don't floss regularly, food gets stuck between your teeth, which turns into sticky plaque and bacteria. When this builds up, it can lead to gingivitis, which is the first stage of gum disease. You know you have it if your gums are inflamed, are tender, or bleed. Your gums will also recede, which means they pull away from your teeth and expose them, which causes damage to your precious chompers. If this progresses and you develop gum disease, your teeth will die, which eventually causes the bones under your teeth to dissolve away. What you're left with is changes in your facial appearance including gaps between your teeth, sunken cheeks, caving in of the lips, and wrinkles along the mouth and cheeks - all of which can make you appear older than you are.

Instead of expensive and uncomfortable procedures to keep wrinkles away, your best bet is to grab youth by the horns and make time to floss at least once a day. After all this I'd like to know if you already floss regularly? If you don't, does this info make you want to start?