Impact of Gum Diseases

BEYOND THE SMILE

They are one of the most neglected parts of the body. And keeping them clean is often considered a chore. yes, we are talking about our teeth and gums. Oral hygiene refers to more than just pearly white teeth,pink gums and fresh breath. poor oral cleaning habits can cause plaque and tartar to build up around the teeth and speed up the process of decay. Further, untreated gum conditions can have an impact on one,s overall well-being.

Diabetes: Diabetes have an already compromised immune system. The ingress of bacteria into the blood stream and the effects of inflammation further compromise the immune system.Additionally, it has the potential to cause a further increase in the blood sugar level.

Cardiovascular diseases: Bacteria in the blood stream can attach itself to the walls of blood stream vessels as plaques, worsening the existing cardiac diseases. Also, research has shown that people with gum disease have one and a half times greater risk of a fatal cardiovascular disease.

Respiratory tract disease: The presence of bacteria in the gums and throat have the potential to lodge in the lower respiratory tract and lead to disease in immunocompromised patients.

Pregnancy:A link between pre-term and low-birth weight babies has now been established. Pregnant women with gum diseases have seven times greater risk of giving birth to premature babies.

Hormonal changes: Hormonal changes that women undergo, like puberty, menstruation and menopause, cause altered levels of hormones in the blood stream. This sensitises the gums to the effects of bacteria, making them soft, spongy and  more prone to bleeding.  Additionally, bone loss as in osteoporosis causes gum diseases to spread rapidly. leading to loss of teeth.

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Benefits of strawberries

FRUIT OF THE SEASON

They are the the fruit of the season. Strawberries are a great option as they are rich in vitamins and minerals, low in calories, and widely available.

• They are full of antioxidants. Strawberries are perfect for preventing cardiovascular disease, cancer, and delaying ageing. In fact, studies suggest that the high antioxidant levels in strawberries can help neutralise the negative effects of free radicals in our system. Antioxidants are also known to boost the immune system and help keep off diseases like the cold and flu.

• Strawberries are rich in potassium, a mineral that helps regulate the electrolytes in our body. It, thus, lowers the risk of heart attack and stroke. They also contain folate, which is very vital for the healthy production of red blood cells.

• They are a rich source of vitamin c. yes, strawberries contain more vitamin c than citrus fruits. This is helpful in fighting off some forms of cancer. It also helps in fighting off some forms of cancer. It also helps in reducing the level of bad cholesterol in our body. Strawberries are also packed with B2,B5,B6, vitamin K, copper,and magnesium. They also contain omega fatty acids and some essential fibres.

• Strawberries can also be used to whiten the teeth. The acids in the fruit reportedly removes stains from teeth. The acids in the fruit reportedly removes stains from teeth. Cut a strawberry in half and rub them on your teeth and gums. Let the juice remain on the teeth for a while and then gargle with warm water. This removes tartar and strengthens and heals the gums.

• While you can eat strawberries by adding them in a number of foods, to get the most benefits, they should be eaten raw.  When added with your morning cereal, it gives you an energy boost for the day.

• Strawberries are the perfect food to add to your diet as they are virtually fat-free. Studies show that one cup of strawberries contains just 0.6 grams of fat. Further, they stimulate your metabolism and suppress your appetite.  They also help in the proper functioning of the weight-reducing hormones.

    

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Positive emotions are the best antidote to heart disease

A HAPPY HEART

Being happy, enthusiastic and contented is the best antidote to heart disease, says a major new study. The study authors believe that it is the first to show such an independent relationship between positive emotions and coronary heart disease.

                Karina Davidson, professor of medicine and psychiatry at the Columbia University Medical Centre (CUMC -New York ), who led the study, said it did suggest it might be possible to help avert heart disease by enhancing positive emotions.

                 However, she cautioned that it would be premature to make clinical recommendations without clinical trials to investigate the findings further. " We desperately need rigorous clinical trials in this area. If the trials support our findings, then these results will be incredibly important in describing specifically what clinicians and/or patients could do to improve health." said Davidson.

                    Over a period of 10 years , Davidson and her colleagues followed 1,739 healthy adults (862 men  and 877 women) who were participating in the 1995 Nova Scotia Health Survey.

                Positive affect is defined as the experience of pleasurable emotions such as joy, happiness, excitement, enthusiasm and contentment. These feelings can be transient, but they are usually stable and trait - like, particularly in adulthood.  Davidson said, " We also found that if some depressive symptoms at the time of the survey, this did not affect their overall lower risk of heart disease,"said Davidson, according to a CUMC release. These findings were published in the European Heart Journal.

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