5 SURPRISING HEART HELPERS:

1- Get a Good Night's Sleep:  Studies show that sleeping less than 7 hours per night raises the risk of high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and heart-threatening deep belly fat.  Start by shutting off electronics at last 2 hours before bed as they can interfere with production of sleep-inducing melatonin.

2 - Mind Your Mouth:  A healthy mouth isn't just attractive, it's good for your heart too!  Chronic inflammation of the gums is thought to lead to vascular inflammation.  Brush twice a day, floss at least once daily and book a professional cleaning twice a year.

3 - Pick Up the Pace:  Increase the intensity of your exercise to boost the benefits.  A recent Danish study found that participants who walked fast were half as likely to develop metabolic syndrome (the factors linked to heart disease and type 2 diabetes), while a daily stroll had no effect.

4 - Take is Some Sun Safely - Turns out vitamin D might protect your heart as well as your bones.  One recent study among adults found that participants with this highest level of vitamin D had a 60% lower risk of developing heart disease.  Vitamin D might function as an anti-inflammatory or help regulate blood pressure and glucose.  Spend time in the sun safely (use SPF) or talk to your doctor about whether you should begin taking supplements.

5 - Offset Your Commute:  The longer it takes you to get to work the greater your risk of heart disease.  To counteract the effects associated with sitting for so long in the car (including stress), go for a lunch time walk or sneak in a workout.  If you sit at a desk, get up and move for a few minutes every couple of hours and try to take deep breaths or play soothing music during your commute if traffic makes your blood boil.

After I get over a cold or the flu, do I need to buy a new toothbrush so I don't catch the same illness again?

No, you do not need to get a new toothbrush. The majority of the time you can't get the same virus twice since you develop antibodies that protect you the next time, but bacterial infections are different; you can get them more than once. The following are a list of tips and suggestions to make your toothbrush remain cleaner and last longer. 

• Do not cover or store toothbrushes in closed containers. Keeping toothbrushes covered prevents the bristles from drying out completely, which promotes the growth of bacteria, since it flourishes on a wet surface.

• Never share your toothbrush with anyone. Sharing your toothbrush with someone else increases your risk of infection, due to the possible exchange of saliva, blood and microorganisms.

• Carefully rinse your toothbrush with warm water both before and after brushing your teeth. This helps remove any minute dust or debris particles that may have fallen onto the bristles while air-drying, as well as leftover toothpaste and germs from your mouth.

• Replace your toothbrush every three to four months. Since the bristles become more worn with each use, replacing your toothbrush often will increase their cleaning effectiveness.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

May luck be our companion

May friends stand by our side

May history remind us all

Of Ireland's faith and pride.

May God bless us with happiness

May love and faith abide.

~Irish Blessing

All of Us at Osmanski Dental Wish You a Happy St. Patrick's Day!  

Are Your Gums Receding?

This shouldn't be taken lightly.  The leading cause is gum disease, but there are many more reasons, listed below.  This can lead to root cavities, eroded tooth structure and ligament destruction leading to tooth loss. Call us if you have concerns so we can prevent further damage and try to treat and repair your gums.

Hormone Fluctuations:  Puberty, pregnancy and menopause can make gums sensitive and more likely to recede.

Over-brushing: Aggressive brushing can wear away enamel and increase risk for gum recession.

Grinding, clenching and an uneven bite: All can put excessive force on the teeth and jaws, causing gums to recede.

Tobacco Use: Smoker are more likely to have plaque and tartar buildup which can cause gum recession.

Mouth Piercings: Jewelry can rub the gum and wear away gum tissue.

You, and Your Mouth, are What You Eat

Your mouth can say a lot about what you're eating and your dentist can be the first person to spot potential nutritional imbalances! 

Nutritional deficiencies result when there is an imbalance between what the body needs and what it is getting. These imbalances are reflected in the mouth where soft tissue renews as quickly as 3-7 days.

Deficiencies in folic acid, zinc and iron show up in gum disease. Nutritional deficiencies limit the body's ability to fight disease, in many cases the mouth is the first line of defense. Healthy gum tissue and saliva are crucial in fending off invading pathogens.

Minerals Vital to Good Oral Health: Zinc, Magnesium, Fluoride, Phosphorous, Iron, Copper, potassium and Iodine

Vitamins Needed for Oral Health:
Vitamin A - Improved wound healing. A deficiency increases gum tissue pockets around teeth

Vitamin C - Health gums -essential for smokers and patients with diabetes. A deficiency causes loss of gum tissue, gum bleeding, tooth mobility

Vitamin D - Strong teeth and jaw bones. A deficiency causes bone resorption in the jaws, tooth loss

Vitamin E, B2, B6 & B12 - Healthy gums and less redness and bleeding. A deficiency causes bleeding gums and dryness/sores in the corner of lips

Folic Acid - Promotes good oral health

Drinking water at a certain time maximizes its effectiveness on the body

2 glasses of water @ waking up - helps activate internal organs
1 glass of water 30 minutes before a meal - helps digestion
1 glass of water before taking a bath - helps lower blood pressure
1 glass of water before going to bed - helps avoid stroke or heart attack

Water at bed time can also help prevent night time leg cramps. Your leg muscles are seeking hydration when they cramp and wake you up with a Charlie Horse.

DRY MOUTH

Everyone’s mouth can be dry sometimes, but if you feel like your mouth is always dry, it may be time to seek treatment. Without the cleansing effects of saliva, tooth decay and other oral health problems become more common.

Medications and certain health conditions can lead to dry mouth. Patients using oral inhalers for asthma can develop an oral fungal infection (Thrush), and are encouraged to rinse their mouths with water after using the inhaler. Tell your dentist what medications you are taking and any other information about your health that may help identify the cause of your dry mouth.