IN Brentwood-Baldwin-Whitehall Winter 2017 | Page 23

HEALTH & WELLNESS
S PE CI A L S ECT I ON
and tissue around your teeth. Studies also suggest that poor oral health
is related to systemic diseases including diabetes, oral cancer, stroke, and
heart disease. Routine visits to your dentist can identify oral problems
before they become painful and more serious. So how can you protect
your pearly whites against long-term health concerns?
• Schedule routine checkups with your dental professional.
• Brush your teeth twice a day.
• Floss daily (you may not see immediate benefits, but you’ll be
saving your gum health in the long run).
• Eat a balanced diet to get the proper nutrients your teeth and gums
need to stay strong.
• Drink lots of water!
• Quit smoking; it is one of the most significant risk factors in
developing gum disease.
• Replace your toothbrush every three months.
HEART HEALTH—SKIP THE SUGAR!
Heart disease is the number-one killer of all Americans, but awareness
of the disease and its causes has allowed for a decrease in the number
of deaths associated with it in recent years. Eating well and exercising
are obvious ways to prevent the onset of heart disease, but a recent
study by the Journal of the American College of Cardiology looks at
another culprit that has damaging effects on your heart: sugar (fructose).
According to the study, one to two servings of sugary drinks per day
raises a person’s risk of heart disease by 35 percent. It is important to
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be cognizant of sugar intake, as it can often sneak into your diet
unnoticed. Men should only consume about 37.5 grams of added
sugar (think coffee drinks, sodas, yeast breads, cereals, fruit drinks)
per day, while women should stay around 25 grams. Starting out
the day with a latte, frozen beverage, or soda could add anywhere
from 20 to 63 grams of sugar in just 12 ounces! Make sure to stop
and think before you consume added sugar for the sake of your
heart health, because sugar isn’t as sweet as it seems.
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