FitSugar

Avoid These Bad Habits For Your Chompers

FitSugar — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:00:59 PDT

I know dental care isn't the most exciting topic, but healthy teeth are important and make for a lovely smile. Speaking of lovely smiles, remember the scene in Pretty Woman when Julia Roberts announces that "you shouldn't neglect your gums"? With that said, let's review some common bad dental habits that can lead to health issues like gingivitis. And since nobody likes getting that disappointing look from her dentist, make the doctor proud by avoiding these habits.

Brushing too hard or using a firm-bristled toothbrush. We all want to get that plaque off our teeth, but jamming your toothbrush back and forth with extreme intensity can permanently (as in forever) wear away the protective enamel on your teeth. It could also lead to increased tooth sensitivity and receding gums, the latter of which could require surgery. Ouch!
Brushing side to side. I was a big horizontal brusher for years, and it was hard work to break this habit, but circular motions are the best way to clean your teeth gently yet effectively.
Not brushing long enough. Two to three minutes is recommended.
Not flossing daily or ever. Sorry to say, but a toothbrush only cleans the surfaces of your teeth. Using floss is the only way to clean in between your teeth, so if you don't do it daily, plaque can form and cause cavities.
Using your teeth as tools. While your sharp incisors can help you rip open a package of trail mix, you're asking for trouble. This is a sure way to chip or crack your teeth or damage fillings.

What other bad habits are ruining your teeth and gums? To find out

Why You Need to Exercise, Sleep Well, and Brush Your Teeth

FitSugar — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 03:00:00 PST

There is a lot of health advice out there, and boy do I have plenty to spare. As Thanksgiving rolls around, we can all, hopefully, be thankful for our good health. To remain happy and healthy there are three things you need to do: exercise, sleep well, and take care of your teeth.

We have known for a while now that vigorous exercise can help prevent breast cancer, but new research performed by the National Cancer Institute shows that getting enough shut-eye is necessary for the benefits of all your hard work to stick. Not getting adequate sleep can practically negate the benefits of exercise in lowering your breast cancer risk. I knew that not sleeping well increased breast cancer risk, but am a little surprised that it can negate exercise. Hopefully, exercising vigorously will help us all sleep solidly through the night. One thing that has helped me is getting rid of my digital alarm clock with its bright blue display.

To get the skinny on brushing your teeth,

read more. The health of your teeth and gums is truly important to the health of your heart. Although the connection between unhealthy gums and an unhealthy heart is still not clear, the connection does seem to be coming into focus. The culprit is likely high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), which the body makes in reaction to injury or infection-induced inflammation. The American Heart Association believes that high levels of hs-CRP may indicate increased risk for heart attacks. Gum disease can come on suddenly, and your best defense is to take good care of your mouth. So brush and floss your teeth daily! Source

Foods That Can Make You Look Pregnant

Shape — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 04:29:06 PST

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Shape here on FitSugar.

Over the weekend, I saw a photo of a female celebrity (who is in a relationship with a male celeb) leaving a café with the caption, "Baby bump?" and I had to refrain myself from shouting out loud, "Come on, can't a girl eat without the world thinking she's having a baby?!"

The truth is having a perfectly flat stomach all the time just isn't normal. After you eat or drink, food and liquids naturally expand your stomach and intestines, so at least a little "bump" is inevitable every single day. So if you regularly get stalked by paparazzi or you have family members who are anxiously awaiting news of a new addition, here's the lowdown on when you might get mistaken for being pregnant:

See which foods may make you look pregnant after the break!

Top 10 Signs It's Time to Switch Gyms

Jenny Sugar — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 00:28:10 PST

We can't all afford to go to luxurious health clubs with Olympic-sized pools, indoor tennis courts, and live DJs spinning during spin classes, so we learn to live with the basics. But here are some things that are absolute deal breakers when it comes to a gym, and if these sound all too familiar, it's time to start shopping for a new one.

You have to share your shower with soap scum, mildew, and spiders.
You've seen more clothes worn by people at the beach than at your gym.
Most of the equipment is older than your grandmother.
Your locker is just big enough to fit one sneaker and a granola bar.
When you tell a staff member they're out of towels, they point to the dirty hamper and say, "No we're not."

Continue reading to here five more signs it's time to ditch your gym.

Simple Tips For Staving Off Holiday Sugar Cravings

Heather Dale — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 03:29:20 PST

You know you're getting into the holiday spirit when the movie Elf is on repeat in your DVD player. If this is the case, let's just hope you aren't influenced by Will Ferrell's bad dietary habits, which include copious amounts of candy, candy canes, candy corn, and syrup! We may not be guzzling down bottles of syrup, but when confronted with tables full of cookies, candies, chocolates, and cake, what's a girl to do? Other than exercising some restrain, here are some helpful tips that will help curb your sweet tooth during the holiday season.

6 Little Instant Health Boosts

Prevention — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 14:42:05 PDT

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Prevention here on FitSugar!

Minor moves that offer major benefits for your mind and body
By Alyssa Shaffer, Prevention

Brush and Floss
Health boost: Cut risk of head and neck cancer by 400 Percent

Take good care of your smile and you'll have more than just white teeth to show for it. New research from Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, NY, shows that people with the chronic gum disease periodontitis have a fourfold risk of developing a type of head or neck cancer (which makes up about 5 percent of all malignancies in the United States), especially in the mouth and throat. The risk was increased even among patients who never used tobacco. Gum disease occurs when the bacteria that live in plaque infect the gums, so brush and floss regularly to prevent plaque buildup.

16 Amazingly Easy Ways to Dramatically Improve Well-being

Hide Your TV Remote
Health boost: Whittle 2 inches from your belly

When switching TV stations, put down the remote, get up, and do it manually. An Australian study found that people who did the greatest amount of light activity during otherwise sedentary behavior, such as watching TV, had 16 percent smaller waist circumferences than those who were inclined to stay put. Even the simple act of getting up and walking around for a minute or so was enough to make a difference, regardless of whether they had a regular workout schedule.

They also had lower body mass indexes and triglyceride and glucose levels, all of which are associated with a reduced risk of metabolic syndrome. More ways to break up an otherwise inactive day: Stand up every time the phone rings at your desk; take the long way back to your desk after a bathroom break; do some stretches before reading a new e-mail.

Super Secrets For a Trim Tummy

Doodle During Work Meetings
Health boost: Improve memory by 29 Percent

People who doodled while listening to a recorded message had nearly one-third better recall of the details than those who didn't draw, according to a study published in the journal Applied Cognitive Psychology. "Doodling acts as a buffer against daydreaming," explains researcher Jackie Andrade, PhD, a professor in the School of Psychology at the University of Plymouth in England. "It provides just enough distraction to stop you from drifting off, but you can still focus on what is being said."

Find more ways to boost your health after the break.

The Pros and Cons of Chewing Gum

Heather Dale — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 00:49:33 PDT

In addition to lip chap and my cell phone, gum rounds out my list of essential purse items. But when it comes to chewing gum in general, how much do we really know about these tasty, rubbery pieces we regularly munch on? Are there any benefits to chomping?

Health Benefits

Heartburn relief: In 2005, researchers found that the saliva stimulated by chewing seemed to neutralize the digestive stomach acid that had leaked into the esophagus. It also seemed to help force fluids back into the stomach and therefore provide heartburn relief. Chewing gum - sugarless, of course - for 30 minutes did the trick and can provide relief for up to three hours.
Kills bacteria and freshens breath: Chewing stimulates saliva production, and the more saliva you have in your mouth, the less bacteria you will have. Gum that is said to be sweetened with xylitol is said to increase salivation and prevent bacteria from replicating in the mouth. In terms of what flavor to go with, it's best to stick with cinnamon, as it can actually help to decrease bacteria in your mouth - sugar-free cinnamon, naturally.

Keep reading for more pros and find out if chewing gum poses any health risks!

Healthy Dose Link Time: Raw and Refreshing Tomato Basil Soup

FitSugar — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 09:46:42 PDT

Refreshing, raw, and easy to make: tomato basil soup - Mind Body Green
Myth or fact: does chewing gum curb your appetite? - DailySpark
Twisty yoga poses to increase your metabolism. Om yeah! - Shape
Eat your peas! Being a picky eater is seriously bad for your health - Huffington Post
The fun (and burn) of hula hooping never fades - Fit Bottomed Girls
Great fitness tips from Chelsea Handler's trainer. Really - Fitness
Harness the power of fiber to help flatten your belly - Blisstree
Do you live in one of the 10 most depressing states? - Health

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.

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?