It’s always important to take care of your teeth, but it can be challenging when you’re unsure what foods are bad for them. Fortunately, a dentist in Blackburn has compiled a list of the seven worst foods that will damage your teeth and gums if consumed regularly. Make sure you avoid these foods at all costs.

1. White bread

Processed carbohydrates are just sugar. Your saliva can break down the complex carbs into glucose. After that, it is immediately used by your body to fuel itself or stored for later use as an energy source if needed. If you are constantly snacking on crackers all day long, this will keep sugars coming out of their mouths rather than helping with digestion as it should.

2. Alcohol

Saliva is like the first line of protection for your mouth. It helps dilute plaque and acids and has anti-bacterial properties that make it suitable to keep around in an emergency. Of course, a little bit won’t hurt you, but anything that dries up those tissues will magnify how bad things are already getting if you have a dry mouth.

3. Ice

If you bite into a piece of ice, it can cause your teeth to break. The coldness could make you more brittle, so that it might be worse for older adults or people with weak teeth. But it will just snap those fragile shards off at once with enough force behind them. That’s why dentists recommend crowns or Invisalign when someone chews down hard enough.

4. Sticky and sour candy

Sour candy is worse than sweet because it has just as much sugar but also includes citric acid. It is hard on your teeth and sticks around longer in the mouth for a sour taste that can be discomforting to eat. And if not cleaned properly with water before leaving residue behind, it could lead you towards plaque build-up over time.

5. Hard drinks

The pH of sports drinks can be more acidic than that of soda, which could cause tooth erosion. Sports drinks are better for athletes in high-energy activities like running or biking. That’s because they have less sugar content to contribute excessive amounts of sweetness while maintaining adequate hydration levels compared with sodas. But please avoid it.

6. Kombucha

Kombucha is a drink that many people enjoy because it’s healthier than the alternatives. However, its pH level may be too low for some individuals. It can lead to dental problems such as cavities if consumed continuously without addressing this issue. Sugar doesn’t provide nutritional value so prefer another ingredient for your taste buds.

7. Lemons

The pH of lime is between 7 and 10, which means it can be harmful to your teeth if you suck on them with the front part of your mouth. In addition, the surface becomes very abrasive and sensitive because there is little enamel protecting those teeth.

Final Thoughts

It’s easy to lie about flossing to your dentist, but did you know that sour food is worse than sugary ones? Like this, there can still be more severe consequences for your dental health if left unaddressed. Thus, consider the above mentioned seven items that dentists warn to eat or drink to maintain healthy teeth.

When the sleep pressure is sufficient, and the biological clock gives the signal, the signs of falling asleep are felt (yawning, discomfort in the neck, chills, etc.).

Knowing how to spot them has many advantages because they are the first train of sleep arrival. Now is the time to go to bed!

Their appearance is linked to the activation of predominant biological mechanisms during sleep:

• Cortisol (stress hormone) decreases
• The heart rate drops,
• Body temperature is reduced,
• Synthesis of melatonin (sleep hormone) begins.

At the same time, all phenomena related to awakening decrease: hunger, thirst, but also social and sensory factors.

During the day, when we are awake, brain waves (indicators of brain activity) have a high frequency, and the body is activated continuously to respond to any requests and situations that arise.

When the first phase of sleep appears, that of falling asleep, these brain waves gradually decrease. The perception of the environment is more and more confused; the body begins to relax. This state is close to that encountered when we take a micro-nap and only last a few tens of minutes.

Slow Sleep

It includes two main stages: light slow sleep, and deep, slow sleep. It is characterized by decreased brain activity and relaxed muscle tone.

During the light sleep stage, the phenomena that appear become more pronounced, and we lose contact with the outside world over the minutes. In the beginning, we have a waltz-hesitation between sleeping and not sleeping, between micro-sleeps and micro-arousals. At this stage, muscle tone begins to decrease, and we can also notice this instability by the small movements of the body that can make us jump.

When the light sleep stage sets in, the eyes move less and less, the heart rate and breathing become slower and slower. On the other hand, the electrical activity of the brain is irregular. This stage alone accounts for half of the total sleep period.

During the deep sleep stage, the brain waves are slow and complete (between 0.5 and 2 Hz), which means that the brain’s activity is minimal. On the physical level, breathing is full and calm, muscle tone is weaker, and eye movements are absent, blood pressure no longer varies.

It is during this phase of sleep that it becomes difficult to wake the sleeping person.

What also characterizes deep sleep is that it is present mainly at the start of the night during the first two sleep trains. It is the most physically recovering stadium.

REM sleep

The last car in the sleep train is the paradoxical sleep train, so named because it presents a paradox between a brain that resumes a level of activity very close to, or even higher than that of waking, and an inert body. This phase of sleep represents about 25% of the total time of our nights.

The storm of paradoxical sleep follows the calm of deep sleep.

At this point, if the body is entirely inert, the heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing, on the other hand, become irregular. The eyes also start to move quickly, hence the REM stage (rapid eye movements) to describe REM sleep.

Moreover, REM sleep is commonly referred to as dream sleep. At this stage of sleep, dreams can sometimes be remembered. While such reminiscence is impossible for dreams that occur during slow sleep.

If deep sleep is present mainly at the beginning of the night, on the other hand, the duration of REM sleep is more and more important as the night progresses.

Likewise, if the physical recovery takes place during deep sleep, everything related to the brain happens mainly during REM sleep:

• For example, procedural memorization (that of reasoning, know-how, learning gleaned during the day)
• Or the maintenance of psychological balance.

Then, at the end of this paradoxical sleep, we are more or less aware of an awakening phase. We can then switch to a new sleep train or, on the contrary, not be able to fall asleep again.

These nocturnal awakenings or difficulty maintaining sleep, which mainly occurs at the end of a sleep cycle, can have multiple causes. Still, natural solutions exist to help get the night back to normal.

Opting for plastic surgery can be overwhelming and petrifying. Although many people conduct prior research before going for it, yet it is usual to feel anxious when you are opting for cosmetic surgery for the first time. Cosmetic plastic surgery helps individuals to improve their appearance, thereby enhancing their quality of life. Therefore it is vital to discuss with a certified surgeon for your procedure. Experienced and certified cosmetic surgeons help individuals, minimizing the possibility of risk involved in the surgery, thereby taking care of them in the best possible way. However, you must abide by the rules after the surgery to avoid any complications.

Here are a few prerequisites you must consider while preparing for the cosmetic procedure:

Opt for the surgery in good health

Any cosmetic procedure requires surgical action. Whether your surgical procedure involves liposuction or breast implant, it is significant to have a healthy body. Therefore the patient must be healthy. Patients with chronic ailment or infection undergoing surgery are at higher risk of complications. You must remember to prepare a list of past health issues, thereby providing the doctor with adequate details. Any history of diseases will help your medical practitioner in prescribing supplements and medication. It is always sensible to consult a physician before opting for a Cosmetic procedure.

Be aware of the food you are allowed to consume

Since cosmetic surgery requires the patient to be in good health, it is necessary to provide adequate nutrition to the concerned patient. Try maintaining a healthy diet before undergoing surgery for the patient to recover smoothly. The anxiety and fear before the surgery do not allow hunger to kick in. Yet, it is essential to have adequate knowledge about the kind of food you can eat. An optimum amount of fruits and vegetables will aid in fighting the infection. It is also necessary to consume protein, thereby helping the patient to stay active post-surgery. However, you must consult a medical practitioner regarding what to eat before the procedure.

Stay hydrated before the surgery

Another important guideline to follow before undergoing any cosmetic plastic surgery is to keep you hydrated. Water plays a crucial role in maintaining tissue health, thereby allowing the body to sustain necessary functions. It is essential to consume the optimum amount of water before and after the procedure to enable smooth recovery.

Take a respite from smoking well in advance before the surgery

Many individuals undergoing plastic surgery have the habit of smoking. However, you must understand that smoking De-escalate the process of recovery. An individual recovering from plastic cosmetic surgery must have a smooth circulation of blood. If you cannot get rid of your smoking habit, it might interfere with your blood circulation in the area of surgery. Therefore it is essential to get rid of smoking long before you start the procedure.

Hire help for household chores

Patients undergoing cosmetic surgery require an ample amount of rest. Therefore you must make necessary arrangements to perform the household tasks after the surgery. The patient must go on bed rest for a few days, thereby monitoring the progress while they undergo medication. Stratus Plastic Surgeryrecommended patients undertake the necessary follow-up and report to the technical team in case of any side effects.

Best Vitamins To Try This Winter

Many rely on mufflers, scarves, hats, and thick coats to stay warm and healthy during the chilly months of winter. Although what you wear is essential in keeping warm, it may not be enough to ward off respiratory infections and other health problems during the cold season.

One way of staying physically and mentally healthy during winter is by supplementing the levels of vitamins in your body. Below are the five best vitamins you might want to have for the winter.

1. Vitamin D

What do people typically miss during winter? Sunshine. Why? Well, sunshine usually brings warmth. And exposure to sunlight is what your body needs to produce an essential immunity-boosting micronutrient called Vitamin D.

Since people rarely spend time outdoors during winter, many become deficient in Vitamin D. This sunshine vitamin has tons of health benefits, including promoting bone health and, more importantly, fighting off infections and disorders like what’s known as the winter blues.

Sunlight is the primary source of Vitamin D. But many people don’t get the right amount of sun exposure in winter. Instead, you can take it in supplement form to prevent deficiency. Good thing, there are many online shops like HealthPost vitamins supplements, that offer Vitamin D and other essential supplements all year round.

2. Vitamin E

Another vitamin known for promoting healthy and beautiful skin is Vitamin E. So, if you suffer from itchy, dry, and flaky skin due to very chilly weather, you can use lotions and creams that contain Vitamin E. However, if you’re not a fan of applying stuff to your skin, you can still have smooth and soft skin by taking Vitamin E supplements.

Although Vitamin E is known to help improve skin, it can offer other benefits. It’s also known to maintain cell function, combat adverse effects of free radicals, reduce fatty liver symptoms, and even lower your risk of blood clots as it assists in widening blood vessels.

3. Vitamin C

Many people get sick with the common cold, cough, flu, and other respiratory illnesses during the winter months because of the freezing temperature. Sticking to a winter diet can help you minimize colds and other diseases associated with the season. You can prevent infection by drinking plenty of water, having a good night’s sleep, and increasing your intake of Vitamin C. You can get this micronutrient from citrus fruits and vegetables. However, if you feel you’re about to have flu, you may want to start taking Vitamin C supplements with Zinc to help fight the infection by boosting your immunity.

Aside from enhancing your immunity, this antioxidant has a lot of other benefits. Vitamin C known to lower the risk for chronic diseases, including high blood pressure and heart ailments. It also prevents gout attacks because it reduces uric acid in the body. If you have iron deficiency, taking iron supplements with Vitamin C also improves your body’s iron absorption.

4. B-Complex Vitamins

Many consider B-complex vitamins as super vitamins because they provide countless benefits, from preserving cell health to boosting energy. But one reason why you must take them during winter is to prevent Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), or what is more commonly known as winter blues.

So how do these B vitamins beat SAD? First, they assist in converting the protein-rich food you eat into essential mood-boosting neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, serotonin, and many others. These neurotransmitters give you energy and help improve your mood during the somber atmosphere of winter. Next, these vitamins are also known to help you deal with stress and anxiety caused by long winter nights. Finally, B-complex vitamins made up of B6, B9, and B12 also assist in beating depression and improving mental health.

5. Vitamin A

For the most part, Vitamin A is known for keeping soft and healthy skin. But studies have shown that it is essential in preventing infection because of its anti-inflammatory properties and maintaining healthy mucus membranes. People who live suffering from chronic infection and live immunocompromised can also benefit from taking Vitamin A supplements.

If you think you’ll suffer from frequent bouts of sinusitis, flu and pneumonia, and other similar symptoms during winter, you may want to increase your intake of foods rich in Vitamin A. Good sources for this micronutrient include carrots, eggs, yellow fruits and vegetables, and dark green leafy vegetables.

Moreover, one of this vitamin’s components is rhodopsin, a protein responsible for improving the ability of the eyes to see in low-light surroundings. You may need Vitamin A if you have a problem seeing things in the dark, especially during an overcast conditions typical in the coldest season of the year.

Final Thoughts

The frigid temperature and shorter days during the winter months bring about many weather-related diseases and disorders. To fight off many of the symptoms, you must boost your immune system and keep your body strong. With the help of vitamin supplements, you have a better chance of enjoying the winter months free of any ailments. Just make sure to get your supplements from reputable stores.