SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION:
The best way to properly monitor eye
and vision health is to make sure your
child gets a comprehensive eye exam
every year.
KEEP YOUR TEETH &
GUMS HEALTHY
A big smile can say a lot about your
overall health, so if you’ve been skipping
out on the dentist, you may want to
schedule your visit. A yearly dental
visit protects against poor oral health
that can lead to greater problems down
the road. Good oral hygiene, including
brushing at least twice a day with a
fluoride toothpaste and flossing, can
protect against the damaging effects of
gum disease. Gingivitis is a mild form
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.
NO BONES ABOUT IT
Is your job a pain in the neck? If you
work in a sedentary environment, your
HEALTH & WELLNESS
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 and think before you consume added
sugar for the sake of your heart health
because sugar isn’t as sweet as it seems.
BEST FOOT FORWARD
After hours of physical abuse from
constant pounding and tapping, your
feet deserve a break! Feet take a constant
beating every day and we often blame
foot pain on a long day on our feet or
shoes with poor support, but foot pain
may be caused by other problems in your
body that shouldn’t be ignored.
Keep tabs on your feet by:
• examining them regularly
• wearing comfortable shoes that fit
properly and offer plenty of support
• keeping your toenails trimmed
straight across
• allowing your feet to air out after
being in shoes.
Talk to your doctor if you are
experiencing:
• joint stiffness
• tingling or numbness
• swelling
• discoloration or bruising
• inability or limiting of physical tasks
due to foot pain. ■
UPPER ST. CLAIR
❘
WINTER 2019
33