habits - Healthy Reads

11 Easy Ways to Sneak a Workout Into Your Day

Post author By Marian
Post date April 19, 2022
No Comments on 11 Easy Ways to Sneak a Workout Into Your Day

…How many times a week do you work out?

According to several studies, you should aim for a workout at least three to four times a week, in order to have a healthy body and mind. However, given the fact that our lives get busier and busier each day, we might find it hard to hit the gym or take a workout class at the end of the day.

If you are one of those people who want to live a healthy life, you already know that you need to include nutritious and clean foods and movement throughout the day.

But if your schedule is too tight and it feels almost impossible to get your sweat session in, we have some tips for you. Here are 11 easy ways to sneak a workout into your day.

How to Sneak a Workout Into Your Day

1. Take the stairs

Even though it might be more convenient to take the elevator, if you want to achieve your fitness goals, you should ditch it for the stairs! Unless you’re working on the 20th floor, you have no excuses!

If you’re looking for a challenge, you can take two steps at a time or increase your speed. You might be where you want faster than you would’ve if you’ve waited for the elevator and the best thing is that you get your cardio in.

Your heart rate will get up and your muscles will work harder to keep you balanced and coordinated. Make sure to squeeze your butt and core for more effective results and say goodbye to cellulite!

…Do this daily for a few weeks and you’ll notice your calves looking stronger, your buttocks rounder, and your thighs and core more toned!

2. Park your car further than you need

Park your car further than you need to every time you go to the grocery store or at work. Even though it might be confusing at first, your body and your mental health will benefit from this in the long run!

If you want to make the best out of this situation, make sure to speed up your pace, engage your core, and squeeze your butt! If you do these things, your heart rate will go up, which means that you will burn more calories! Win-win!

…Trust us, those steps will really add on!

3. Aim for 10000 steps a day

Before you say anything about this, hear us out: it does wonders for your body and it doesn’t take as much time as you think! You can break up your steps into multiple walks throughout the day.

You can park your car further, you can take the stairs, you can walk your dog an extra block, you can sit up every hour and move for 5 minutes, you can walk to a coffee shop that’s not that close to your house, or you can even walk around while you’re talking on the phone.

Even though you might not hit 10k at first, you’ll have a goal to reach, which will make you more motivated to get your steps in. As we all know already, small steps can make a huge difference!

…TIP: Every time you feel in a rut or you think that your mind doesn’t work the way you want it to, get outside and walk around for a few minutes. You’ll get your vitamin D in and the fresh air and movement will re-energize your brain!

4. Get your morning sweat sesh in!

I know that you’re busy, but everyone has 5 or 10 minutes of free time in their day! Just like you have time to check out all of your social media accounts, you definitely have time to move your body!

The best thing is that you don’t need equipment. You can do a few squats, calf raises, high knees, push-ups, plank exercises, and arm raises, and you’ll be golden!

If you’re looking for something that is more efficient, you can search 5 or 10-minute workouts on YouTube and you can pick one depending on your goals.

5. Brush and calf raise

You brush your teeth twice a day, so you have double the time to multitask. Instead of waiting for those 2 minutes to pass, you can do a few calf raises while you’re brushing your teeth. If that doesn’t sound appealing, you can squat, hold a squat, or even hold a will sit.

Trust us, your quads, booty, core, and calves will be looking amazing!

6. Let’s start cleaning

…Have you ever wondered how many calories you can burn while you’re cleaning your house?

There are times when cleaning your house or mowing the lawn are the last things you want to do. However, besides making your home look better and more organized, these things can make your body torch some serious calories as well.

For instance, studies have discovered that an average 150-pound person can burn roughly 170 calories per hour by doing some light cleaning, such as straightening up or dusting.

If your house needs a bit more attention to certain places, you can burn 20-30 calories extra per hour if you scrub your floors, clean your windows, and get rid of accumulated grime and dirt.

…Put on your favorite music and let’s get this cleaning party started!

7. Make your bed in the morning

As many successful people say, making your bed in the morning can increase productivity throughout the day and it can trigger your brain into thinking that you can conquer all the things on your to-do list.

In addition to that, making your bed requires energy and body movement, so another good thing is that you’ll get your blood flowing and your muscles working first thing in the morning.

8. Stand up more

…Did you know that standing up can burn more calories than sitting down?

The additional number of calories burned by standing up is not significant, but it can make a difference in the long run. Multiple studies have discovered that people who stand up more can burn more calories throughout the day compared to those who sit down the whole time.

For instance, a person who weighs 143 pounds can burn 0.15 more calories per minute when standing versus sitting.

Even though this doesn’t seem much, sitting down for too long can make you the victim of many things, such as increased blood pressure, irregular cholesterol levels, extra body fat around the waist, lower back pain, and muscle laziness.

Make sure to stand up for a few minutes every hour, in order to prevent yourself from getting the things mentioned earlier!

9. Make the most out of your wait

Just like we’ve previously said, standing up can help you burn more calories, but that doesn’t mean that you should stop there! You can squeeze your butt muscles or your core every time you’re waiting in line for your groceries to be scanned, or you can even do a few calf raises.

10. Squat in the bathroom

This might sound weird, but it’s actually a fun workout game. Every time you have to go to the restroom or take a shower, you have to do 20 squats.

This way you’ll get a very short workout in, you’ll get your heart rate up, and your muscles will be stronger and will look more toned. If you don’t like this exercise, you can pick one that you enjoy, such as push-ups, planks, leg kicks, arms raises, and so many other things.

11. Play with your pet

Pets have a lot of energy they need to consume, so playing around with them will not only give you beautiful memories, but it will also help you get your workout in. In addition to that, this playtime will make your body release endorphins, which are known as feel goods hormones, so you’ll feel very happy as well!

…Which one of these tips are you planning to add to your daily routine? Make sure to let us know by leaving a comment down below!

….Don’t forget to check this article out as well:

11 Foods That Are Good for Your Eyes!

Tags habits, weight loss

10 Things That Happen If You Go Vegan For One Month

Post author By Sidney
Post date April 14, 2022
1 Comment on 10 Things That Happen If You Go Vegan For One Month

If you ever thought about trying to become vegan, you’re not the only one! Every other month, there are lots of people who are testing out the meat and dairy-free diet for various ethical and environmental reasons.

Others try this for their own health. According to Shilpa Ravella, MD, gastroenterologist and assistant professor of medicine at Columbia University Medical Center, “there are many compelling benefits to a whole-food, plant-based diet, which is why it’s worth trying this type of diet”.

Ok, truth to be told, we can safely say most of us have a problem when it comes to including plant-based foods. So I guess that we can say trying to be vegan for a couple of days can’t do any real harm, right? Let’s see what this is all about:

Things that might happen when you go vegan for a month:

You might lose or gain weight

As Jennifer Mimkha, MPH, RD, recalls, many of her patients were very surprised to notice how easily they lost weight just by transitioning to a fully plant-based diet. First of all, the majority of plants have better sources of protein and are lower in calories than meat, according to Natalie Rizzo, MS, RD.

The other reason is that it’s not that easy to eat as a vegan. And it’s something that becomes very frustrating when you want to grab a bite on the go, which if you think about it, eliminates A LOT of snacking opportunities. You can’t give in to tempting foods, because they usually contain either dairy or meat.

Your taste buds will evolve and you’ll have more cravings

They say that when you go vegan you notice a difference in your taste buds. What usually happens is that your whole sense of taste is suddenly heightened, and food suddenly brings you more pleasure.

Even more, while before you might have had a hard-to-tame sweet tooth, you’ll soon notice how it disappears, according to Alexandria Abramian, who’s a Californian-based content director who is a vegan-diet lover.

But luckily, science can back up this taste-bud transformation. And according to Dr. Ravella, there’s evidence that shows how you change directions when you move from junk foods and animal products that are high in salt, fat, and sugar to only plant-based foods.

You’ll learn to cook new things

This doesn’t surprise anybody: your favorite recipes won’t be needed anymore, at least not in the month you try going vegan. But some people (hopefully you too) will find this a joyous opportunity to learn new things, to challenge themselves and the way they were planning a meal.

Imagine how many new ingredients you’ll discover! Let’s be serious, if you’re a food lover, you’ll be excited to try new foods! And even if you’ll go back to eating meat and dairy, I can 100% confirm that you’ll still stick to some vegan recipes. Find a couple of go-to meals where vegetables are the center of your plate, and you’ll skip the stress of looking for recipes!

You’ll attract other people around you to try it

Another thing I can assure you will happen is that your friends and family will see how well this diet fits you, and they’ll want to try it too. Because that’s how the power of example works! If you decide to quit smoking and you succeed, the ones around you will have proof that it’s possible.

While at first, they might be extremely skeptical, you do you and they’ll follow. Plus, when you’ll get a better understanding of how it works, and you’ll start cooking for others, they’ll definitely win them over.

You’ll have more energy

As Mimkha mentioned, you’ll notice an increase in your energy levels right away. While before you might have needed two cups of coffee to survive throughout the day, after switching to a plant-based diet you’ll be more than satisfied with one.

So adopting a plant-based diet will assure you more energy. But how much of it is because of a vegan diet? According to Messina, there isn’t really any scientific reason to back this up. But we can only assume that the increased energy is the result of a healthier diet overall, especially if you avoid sugary treats and processed food because these are the ones that make your blood sugar spike up and down.

Your skin will glow

Many vegans reported that the change on their skin wasn’t just immediate…but it also shined like a LIGHTNING BOLT! Now, jokes aside, they did say that one of the biggest physical changes they noticed in the process had to do with their skin.

So here’s the confirmation: by changing your diet, you can clear all of your skin complexions. If you’re currently suffering from skin issues and if you struggled with it your whole life, you should consider trying a plant-based diet. And let’s be honest, there isn’t one dermatologist on this planet that won’t recommend you to eat healthier if you want better skin.

You’ll experience unstoppable hunger

This one is as real as it gets, and it’s completely normal to happen. In the first days of the diet, you’ll have no idea what to eat, unless you have severely searched day and night for what a vegan diet requires. And if you have, we congratulate you!

It might take you a while until you get a good grip on what a vegan diet means, and until then, you’ll be hungry non-stop! And you’ll also notice that while cutting out meat was easier, cutting eggs and cheese will be the ultimate test, according to Talia Koren says, a recipe developer and founder of Workweek Lunch.

And also vitamin imbalances

As healthy as a vegan diet can be for you, you should expect to have some vitamin deficiencies, especially B12, according to Dr. Eytan. For example, Omega-3 fatty acids might be missing in a vegan diet, though you can still have them by eating flax seeds and walnuts.

You can ask your doctor or even a nutritionist if you should add supplements to replace some missing nutrients, such as iron, zinc, and calcium. And if you try this option and it doesn’t work, you can always go back to eating dairy and meat! For some people, it works better, and for some, it’s exactly the opposite.

You will have a microbiome makeover

The bacteria in your gut can have a huge impact on your health. According to Dr. Ravella, the standard American diet is responsible for fostering the growth of some disease-promoting bacteria. On the other side, a more fiber-rich diet will lead to a diverse microbiome, which is full of friendly bacteria.

So the decision to switch to a fiber-rich vegan diet can result in a couple of rapid changes to your gut bacteria. And as Dr. Ravella points out, you will notice profound changes in your microbiome, just a couple of days after switching from a meat-based to a plant-based diet, or vice-versa.

Cheats and exceptions

In the end, if you come to the conclusion that a full-time vegan lifestyle, and even a 30-day challenge, isn’t the answer, you can always try mixing. You can have one vegan week a month, just to vary and become a flexitarian! Or, if you enjoyed the vegan lifestyle, but you know you’ll never give up on that saucy meat and fresh dairy, you can always have a cheat day!

If you enjoyed reading this article, we also recommend reading: 8 Smoothies Targeted for Specific Health Issues

Tags food, habits

11 Body Odors You Shouldn’t Ignore

Post author By Marian
Post date April 1, 2022
2 Comments on 11 Body Odors You Shouldn’t Ignore

…Did you know that body odors can tell a lot about your health?

Whether you’ve just finished a high-intensity interval training workout, walked in the heat for a few hours, or gobbled down a burger that is packed with onions and with a garlic dip, chances are that, at one time or another, you’ve been that person who stunk up the room.

In the majority of cases, a shower, a bit of deodorant, or brushing your teeth with minty-fresh toothpaste could simply help you get rid of the body odors. However, there are some cases where this might not be enough.

That is because your body odor can tell a lot about your overall health. In conformity with a Swedish study, there are some diseases that might produce a particular, distinguished smell.

With that being said, which weird body odors should you take note of? Here are 11 body smells you should never ignore!

Tags habits, physical health

10 Easy Ways to Improve Gum Health

Post author By Guest Post
Post date March 13, 2022
No Comments on 10 Easy Ways to Improve Gum Health

Gum health is essential for strong teeth. The gums are made of soft, skin-like tissue and cover the bones where the teeth are attached. They adhere tightly to the surface of the teeth, blocking the penetration of deep plaque bacteria.

Healthy gums have a pale pink or coral hue, but depending on ethnicity, they may contain other pigments. Changes in the gums, such as redness, inflammation, or bleeding during brushing or flossing, as well as their retraction, may be signs of gum disease.

WHAT IS GINGIVITIS?

Gingivitis is a superficial inflammation of the gums. It is caused by bacteria and is the first stage of periodontal disease. Unlike the next stage, periodontitis, is reversible. If you leave it untreated, it can lead to a more serious condition and even lead to loss of teeth.
As for periodontal disease, it is the most common chronic inflammatory condition:

• 8 out of 10 people over the age of 35 have a form of gum disease;
• ranks 6th among the most common diseases;
• can lead to tooth loss and other damage to the whole body;
• does not cause pain or severe discomfort, and the most common symptom is bleeding gums.

MAIN CAUSES OF GINGIVITIS

Terrible oral hygiene is the reason for gingivitis in more than 70% of the cases. This promotes the accumulation of excess dental plaque and inflammation of the gums. Dental plaque is made of bacteria that settle on the surface of the teeth when food debris and sugar come in contact with the bacteria that are commonly found in the oral cavity.

As the plaque builds up and is not removed in time, it begins to harden. Dental plaque should be removed daily by brushing. Otherwise, it turns into tartar. In turn, tartar begins to accumulate bacteria and irritate the gums, and it can only be removed by descaling at a dental clinic.

The longer the tartar stays on the tooth surface, the more it will irritate the gums, which will become inflamed. Over time, the gums turn red and may bleed. If left untreated, gingivitis can lead to cavities, periodontal disease and even tooth loss.

Gingivitis can occur for any person who does not follow the rules of dental hygiene, but there are some other risk factors you should be aware of in the occurrence of this condition, such as:

• Smoking or chewing tobacco;
• Old age;
• Diet low in vitamin C;
• Dry mouth syndrome;
• Dental interventions that make it difficult to clean your teeth properly;
• Hereditary factors;
• Certain drugs.

As mentioned above, untreated gingivitis can lead to periodontitis and, in some cases, even tooth loss. Chronic inflammation of the gums has also been associated with respiratory illness, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis or coronary artery disease.

Some studies suggest that the bacteria that cause periodontitis can enter the bloodstream through the gingival tissue and therefore other more serious health problems can occur.

Acute necrotizing gingivitis is a severe form of gingivitis that causes pain, infection, bleeding and even mouth ulcers. However, these cases are not common and occur only in exceptional situations. The main sign of gingivitis is gingival bleeding, which does not occur when we are talking about smokers.

Other signs of gingivitis include:

• Swollen gums;
• Gums that turn to a shade of dark red;
• Bleeding gums during brushing;
• Bad breath;
• Gingival retraction;
• Sensitive gums.

When these symptoms occur, it is recommended to go to the dentist. The sooner you treat gingivitis, the less likely it is to appear and also less likely to develop other complications. What is important to remember is that healthy gums are firm, have a pale pink hue and are fixed on the teeth, and any significant change can be a sign of a problem.

So let’s find out several things we can do to improve our gum health!

1. Brush your teeth every morning and every evening.

Brushing should take at least two minutes. This way, you will have enough time to brush every tooth surface. Make sure you brush your back teeth. Whether you use a typical toothbrush or an electric one, it is important to know that you need to change it every 3 months. If its brushes are bent and damaged, you can replace it sooner.

2. It’s very important to clean the spaces between your teeth, that you can’t reach with a toothbrush.

If you do not clean this area, food, tartar and bacteria will accumulate here. To clean the gums and those narrow spaces you can use dental floss or special cleaning devices, which release jets of air and antimicrobial mouthwash, removing the bacterial plaque that brushing cannot remove.

3. Use a fluoride toothpaste.

Fluoride protects tooth enamel and reduces the risk of cavities. To be effective, a toothpaste must contain a certain level of fluoride.

4. Use mouthwash.

Choose a mouthwash that contains fluoride. If you use fluoride mouthwash after brushing your teeth, it will help the fluoride to reach the enamel on the entire surface of the teeth. Swish the water around in your mouth for two minutes to allow it to effectively cover all your teeth.

5. Brush your tongue too.

The surface of your tongue isn’t smooth. For this reason, food and bacteria can accumulate on it. In this way, the tongue becomes a source of bacteria that can be transferred to the teeth. You can either brush your tongue or you can use a special tool to clean it.

Some toothbrushes have a hard rubber patch on the tail that you can use to clean your tongue. Rinse your mouth after you’re done.

6. Do not smoke!

Smoking will make your teeth yellow and increase your risk of getting oral cancer or gum disease. Even if we’re not talking about these kinds of severe conditions, smoking is still not indicated because it can cause dehydration and bad breath.

Cigarettes are addictive and common, affecting the nervous system, arteries, respiratory and circulatory system. Most people associate the harmful effects of smoking with lung cancer, without thinking about other forms of cancer, namely laryngeal, bladder, lip or gastric cancer.

7. Limit the amount of sugar you consume.

Sugar erodes tooth enamel because when it decomposes it produces acids that attack the enamel. This increases the risk of cavities. It is good to reduce desserts such as cakes, ice cream, sweet juices and coffee or very sweetened teas.

8. Eat less sticky foods.

Sticky foods refer to sweets like jellies, caramels, candied figs, chewing gum with sugar, etc. These sweets leave a thin layer of sugar over the teeth that are difficult to remove.

9. Reduce the amount of alcohol you intake.

Alcohol also damages tooth enamel. Like smoking, alcohol can cause dehydration and bad breath. Also, it can affect your stomach and your liver. Another unpleasant effect, dangerous for both you and others, is violence and other forms of aggression.

Under the influence of alcohol, you can misread a remark or gesture, which may lead to aggressive and violent behavior and that’s absolutely no secret.

10. Make regular visits to the dentist.

Prevention will always be a better solution than treatment. You don’t have to wait for a problem to go to the dentist. There are also preventative treatments that will make your teeth stronger.

Tags habits, tips

8 Vitamins You Should Take On a Daily Basis

Post author By Sidney
Post date February 24, 2022
No Comments on 8 Vitamins You Should Take On a Daily Basis

Supplements are often used to fulfill the recommended daily allowance of vitamins and minerals our bodies need in order to function properly. Ideally, we should be getting these vitamins and minerals only from eating a well-balanced diet.

But, in some cases, a supplement might enhance the needed amount. Vitamins have an essential role in our bodies, as dietitian Kate Patton reinforced. “Our bodies need vitamins to break down macronutrients such as carbohydrates, fat, and protein and help the body function.” In fact, it is estimated that nearly half of American adults need to take some vitamins or minerals on a daily basis.

What kind of vitamins should you be taking daily?

When people are aware that they’re missing certain foods, they consider taking supplements, as Payton explained. Some of them might be into supplements because they have a lot of antioxidant benefits, or because they’re not used to eating fruits and vegetables.

Others use supplements because they suffer from a true deficiency. Everyone has different reasons to use vitamins. The best way to do it is to ask your doctor or a registered dietitian before you take any more supplements.

They will help you decide which products you need, or if you need any at all. Your doctor and pharmacist are also in the position to tell you if any of the supplements you want to take would harm you in any way.

What is the recommended daily allowance?

The recommended daily allowance (RDA) for vitamins and minerals is the average daily intake any person needs to stay healthy. Men and women have various vitamin and mineral recommendations.

There are different ways through which you can measure the RDA. For example, some vitamins and minerals are needed in bigger doses, so they’re measured in milligrams, while others are needed in a smaller portion, which is measured in micrograms.

The bottom line is that each and every vitamin and mineral has a specific RDA. You can’t apply the same recommended daily allowance to all supplements and vitamins, because you could harm your body.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin, that’s also known as retinol. The recommended daily allowance of vitamin A is 700 micrograms for women and 900 micrograms for men. You can find this vitamin in various dairy products and yellow or orange-colored fruits and vegetables.

Fruits such as cantaloupe, mangoes, and apricots are known to be rich in vitamin A. What is so incredible about this vitamin is that it’s very helpful for the entire body: it helps fight infection, maintains a healthy vision, keeps the heart, lung, and your kidney health strong, takes care of the skin while fighting off toxins (also known as free radicals), and strengthens bones.

Vitamin B

If you didn’t already know, there are 8 types of vitamin B, which basically form a vitamin B complex, with various RDAs. As the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has stated, there are many American folks who don’t get their RDA of vitamin B complex in their daily nutrition.

That might be a reason why so many cereals, flour, bread, and pasta are constantly fortified with B vitamins, in order to minimize the risk of any deficiency. Some of the benefits of these vitamins include:

Keeps the normal brain function and memory
Needed for normal metabolism of carbohydrate, protein, and fats
Improves cholesterol, as it lowers LDL levels and increases the HDL
Reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke
Enhances normal blood cell production and a good function of the nervous system

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is soluble in water, and it’s extremely rich in antioxidants that enhance the growth of healthy tissue. The RDA for women is 75 milligrams, and 90 milligrams for men. Apart from supplements, you can find this vitamin in many fruits and vegetables.

Vitamin C protects your cells from any possible damage caused by the free radicals. Also, it enhances the production of collagen in your body. Some of its benefits include:

Reduces the risk of getting the common cold
Keeps your skin and tissue healthy
Strengthens your bones and teeth

Also, if you know that you suffer from iron deficiency, vitamin C helps your body absorb it better. If you’re trying to maximize your iron levels, eat more fruits that are rich in vitamin C.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is an essential, fat-soluble vitamin that gets activated by ultraviolet (UV) lights. You can get it from sun exposure, but it can also be found in cod liver oil, fatty fish, fortified juices, milk, and cereals.

If you can’t get enough Vitamin D from UV light, these are great alternatives for you. For children and adults, the RDA of vitamin D is 15 micrograms. If you have a vitamin D deficiency, don’t worry.

It’s pretty common. Oftentimes there are patients that need to be prescribed additional doses of vitamin D. Some of its benefits include:

has a positive influence on the immune cell function
keeps the nervous system functioning
enhances bone health
regulates blood levels of calcium

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is extremely important for the well functioning of organs. The right amount you should be getting every day is 15 milligrams. You can find this vitamin in many foods, such as vegetable oils, avocados, spinach, seeds, nuts, and whole grains.

Vitamin E has lots of antioxidant benefits that are essential for your immune system, but it also helps dilate your blood vessels and prevent blood clots. Vitamin E has various benefits. Most importantly, it protects cells from damage caused by toxins.

Also, it maintains the good function of our muscles. It also reduces the risk of many diseases, such as heart diseases, cancer, and Alzheimer’s.

Vitamin K

You probably didn’t know this, but vitamin K is essential against blood clotting. The RDA of this vitamin is 120 micrograms for men, and 90 micrograms for women. This protein-rich vitamin can be found in leafy green vegetables. Vitamin K plays a huge role with calcium in taking good care of our bone health, according to Patton. Some of the benefits of vitamin K include:

Enhances rapid wound healing
Creates stronger bones
Keeps you safe against heart disease

Calcium

Calcium is one of the most powerful minerals for healthy bone growth. You’ll easily find it in dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt. Also, you can find it in tofu, spinach, soy, and rhubarb. It’s also essential for muscle function and for the nerves that carry messages from your brain to your body. Some of its benefits include:

enhances muscle function
aids a proper hormone secretion
maintains your bones strong and healthy
decreases the risk of osteoporosis

Iron

Iron is great for transporting oxygen in the blood. In fact, without the right amount of iron, you might suffer from a weak immune system and fatigue. Men and women should consider consuming between 8 to 18 milligrams of iron every day.

You can find iron in red meats, leafy green vegetables, and legumes. If you’re a vegetarian or vegan, you might be at risk of having an iron deficiency. Even though there are lots of plant-based sources of iron, you don’t absorb it just as well. Some of its benefits include:

Improves immune function
Gives you energy
Improves your brain function
You can concentrate better
Carries oxygen in your blood

If you enjoyed reading this article, we also recommend reading: 10 Signs You Have a Slow Metabolism

Tags habits, tips

10 ‘Healthy’ Habits That Are Damaging Your Teeth

Post author By Sidney
Post date February 4, 2022
No Comments on 10 ‘Healthy’ Habits That Are Damaging Your Teeth

Even though you might believe it’s a crazy statement, healthy habits can in fact be a damaging factor to our teeth. You might be trying to develop a couple of habits in order to improve your well-being, unaware of the impact it might have on your teeth.

When we found out what kind of dangers might appear just by trying to live healthier, we decided to ask a couple of doctors that really know the deal. Not only did we learn tons of new stuff, but we were actually left a bit thunderstruck to hear how many things we did wrong. Are you curious to know what we’ve found out? Read on to understand what we mean:

Brushing your teeth right after eating

Have you gotten used to brushing immediately after you finished eating? While brushing regularly is extremely important, timing is EVERYTHING. When you just ate something that’s acidic, such as oranges or tomatoes, the enamel on your teeth softens and becomes susceptible to abrasive wear.

If you brush your teeth while they’re in this soft state, you can remove your teeth’s enamel, which leads to sensitive teeth. If you want to protect your teeth, make sure you wait between 30-60 minutes before brushing. Even more, if you conclude your meals with dairy products, such as milk or a slice of cheddar cheese, it will raise the pH inside your mouth and release calcium.

Brushing teeth wrong

Some people have made a habit out of “scrubbing” their teeth, which stresses the gum tissue and causes your gum line to recede. Even more, overly vigorous cleaning can make your teeth to be more sensitive, as the protective layer of enamel becomes thinner.

Doctors recommend you brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled brush. Pay attention, as the size and shape of your brush, should be able to fit your mouth and reach all the needed areas! Also, don’t forget to replace your brush every other three or four months, or even the moment you see the bristles are frayed. A worn toothbrush won’t do you any good.

Medications that dry out the mouth

If you suffer from a chronic health disease, you probably need to take prescribed medications that might have a side effect of cottonmouth. This can mean a problem for your oral health, as it puts you at risk of developing tooth decay.

Dry mouth from medications usually appears because the medicine decreases the flow of saliva, that’s responsible for protecting your teeth. While no one recommends not taking your meds, you could try drinking more water throughout the day, to keep your mouth rinsed all the time. You could try taking a small bottle of water with you and have it wherever you may be, to make things easier.

Drinking lemon water

Fresh lemon juice is extremely popular now for offering all kinds of health benefits. It enhances digestion, strengthens your immunity, and cleanses our bodies of toxins. Even though adding lemon water to your daily diet is a plus for you, it can still have a harmful impact on your tooth enamel because it raises the level of acid in your mouth.

Think about it, if you drink it throughout the day for a long time, you’re constantly giving your teeth a bath in acidic solution. If you’ve noticed your teeth are more sensitive to hot and cold lately, cut back on the lemon water and buy some toothpaste for sensitive teeth.

Fruit juice

Fruit juice is another drink that might help us get the necessary amount of vitamins and antioxidants we wish for. Although it’s healthy for you (but not in big quantities), most juices are also full of sugar just as much as a can of soda is.

Given the fact that fruits are naturally sweet, try drinking only juices that have no added sugar. Or you can even make them yourself. You can also reduce the amount of sugar content by diluting the juice with some water. As I mentioned above, citrus juice is very acidic, and it is a major offender when it comes to dental erosion.

Exercising (without dental protection)

Another habit that has lots of benefits is regular physical activity. Improves your cardiovascular system, controls and helps adjust your weight, and enhances a happier mood. If you practice an impact sport, like ice hockey, martial arts, or boxing, your teeth are probably the first to be at risk.

Dr. Shane S. Porter of Premier Dentistry of Eagle recommended wearing a mouthguard to protect your mouth while you participate in these risky ventures. Also, intense sessions of exercise can affect the quality and quantity of the saliva you produce, which can raise the pH level in your mouth. Both of these changes can negatively impact your teeth.

Cough drops

While cough drops are famously medicinal, that doesn’t mean they’re also healthy. The majority of cough drops are full of sugar. And no matter where the sugar might be coming from, it’s bad for your teeth. It reacts with the sticky plaque that covers your teeth.

Bacteria in the plaque transform the sugar into an acid that…you guessed right, eats away at your tooth enamel. So next time you soothe your throat with a cough drop, make sure you rinse out your mouth with a glass of water. Then, wait 30-60 minutes before you pick up that toothbrush and start brushing thoroughly!

Diet soda

You might believe that drinking diet soda is a healthier alternative than regular soda because it’s sugar-free, but it also contains phosphoric and citric acids, which are known to destroy the tooth enamel. So just to avoid any other risk, drink water instead.

Sports drinks

Cold sports drinks are the best thing that can happen after a good workout. Since they’re not carbonated, they should work fine for you. But it’s not that simple. These types of beverages are high in sugar and create an acid attack on the enamel of your teeth. The best way to stay hydrated without harming your teeth is to drink sugar-free, calorie-free water.

Drinking bottled water

I just spent the entire time talking about how healthy drinking water instead of other drinks is, and now I’m about to say drinking water is bad as well. While I might sound insane, I want to point out the huge difference between tap water and bottled water.

There are many people that buy bottled water as their main source of drinking water. This is great because if water is the only kind of water you drink, you’re missing out on approximately a 25% reduction in tooth decay.

Fluoridated tap water is sustained by many leading health organizations and is proven to help reduce tooth decay in both children and adults. It’s cheap, and it cuts down a lot on the environmental impact that bottled water can have.

If you enjoyed reading this article, we also recommend reading: 6 Healthy Foods That Can Make You Bloated

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