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of gum disease that is due to plaque and
tartar buildup on teeth, leaving gums
red, swollen, and irritated. When left
untreated, gingivitis can advance to
periodontitis. A more serious and painful
disease, periodontitis causes gums to
pull away from teeth, allowing bacteria to
build in the pockets between. Due to the
infection and inflammation, your body’s
natural reaction is to fight the bacteria,
which can lead to breakdown of the bones
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.
HEALTH & WELLNESS
NO BONES ABOUT IT
Is your job a pain in the neck? If you
work in a sedentary environment, your
response is probably yes. Musculoskeletal
pain is caused by excessive sitting
throughout the day, leading to slouching,
hunching over, and muscles in your body
going without use for hours. Studies are
finding that although a regular workout
routine helps, it won’t combat the constant
weight on your rump. Although some
offices are moving toward healthier
options, such as convertible stand up/
sit down desks or treadmill desks (if you
have the skill to think and walk at the same
time), most of us have to face our chairs
every day. What a pain!
There are ways to prevent the negative
effects, such as stiffness and poor
circulation, of constant sitting:
• Get up and move! If you find yourself
sitting for extended periods of time, you
need to break the habit. Schedule an
alarm for every 30 minutes to get up and
take a lap around your office.
• Manage your time effectively by going
to pick up your paper from the printer
or grabbing a glass of water. Even better?
Visit a co-worker to talk about a project
instead of sending an email.
• Establish proper sitting habits.
Keep your back straight, feet at 90
degrees, and eyes level with the top of
your computer screen. Make sure your
shoulders aren’t hunched when resting
your elbows on your desk to type.
• Stretch in place. Adding stretching
to your daily routine is beneficial for
anyone. Stand up and do a few stretches
at your desk to get your muscles
loosened up and moving. Feeling
spunky? Add a few jumping jacks in to
get your heart rate pumping for some
extra energy.
• Realize how much sitting you do.
Sitting for eight hours at your job has
negative effects on your body, but going
home and sitting on the couch for the
rest of the night doubles those effects,
increasing cause for concern. If you have
a sedentary job, make a point of taking a
walk when you get home or spend some
time on your feet with your kids or at
the gym. Keeping active during breaks
and on the weekends will help combat
negative effects from the workweek.
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 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
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