Oral Hygiene And Your Overall Health

February 12, 2018 by Leave a Comment

It is sad that your eyes are the window to your soul, although it is actually the pupils which give away the most information regarding the emotional state of a person.

But, did you know that the teeth and your oral health are the window to your overall health? This is not a new theory but it is one that has been proven to be true. In fact, once you read the issues that can develop through poor oral hygiene you’ll be booking an appointment with Rickard Dental and practicing better oral hygiene in no time!

Heart Problems

If you don’t keep your teeth and mouth clean then bacteria will collect. This can then enter your blood stream, which is extremely easy to do from your mouth. Unfortunately the bacteria can then travel round your body and cause an infection.

A common collecting point is your heart; a build-up of bacteria can actually cause a heart attack.

A condition known as Endocarditis refers to the build-up of bacteria in the inner linings of your heart. This will cause inflammation and the infection which can cause heart attacks and heart failure.

Stroke

Science has shown that oral bacteria in the blood stream will make you blood clot easier. While this is a good thing when you have a cut it is not so good when your blood clots inside your veins. But that’s not all!

Oral bacteria are also believed to contribute towards the narrowing of your arteries, making the blood flow less and a clot more likely.

A cot will cut off the blood supply to vital organs, including the brain; causing a stroke.

Inflammation

When you have gum disease your gums become inflamed and tender. This is a serious issue in itself. However, inflammation can travel around your body. This is known as systemic inflammation and cause a number of other health issues including pain and limited mobility.

Arthritis

Bad oral health will not cause arthritis as this is done by damage to your joints. But, it will worsen the pain you are feeling from arthritis. Scientists are not sure of the exact link but numerous studies have shown it to be true.

Lung Disorder

Oral bacteria can get all round your body, this includes your lungs. In general this will not cause an issue. But, if you have an existing lung condition or pneumonia then it can make it much worse.

Blood Poisoning

Perhaps the most deadly of the health issues created by bad oral health is blood poisoning. Gum disease or decaying teeth can cause an abscess which can become infected. If this is left untreated the infection can enter the bloodstream and cause septicemia, which can be fatal.

The first step in your fight for good oral health is to adopt good dental practices. Your dentist can advise you on the right approach. It is also essential to book regular dental appointments, this will ensure any issues are picked up early and dealt with.

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WIN Salonpas® Lidocaine Plus Pain Relieving Cream and Liquid

February 9, 2018 by 74 Comments

Have you heard of the new, cost-effective solution for pain management? This new, over the counter treatment awaits aching sufferers with the introduction of the Salonpas® Lidocaine Plus Pain Relieving Cream and the Salonpas® Lidocaine Plus Pain Relieving Liquid.

 

“Hisamitsu’s goal is to provide strong, safe, long-lasting pain relief through the use of affordable topical medicines,” says John Incledon, President  & CEO, Hisamitsu America based in Florham Park, New Jersey.  “We do this by concentrating and specializing in creating new research-driven medicinal products and formulations based on topical drug delivery systems. We developed the Salonpas® Lidocaine Plus Pain Relieving Cream and theLidocaine Plus Pain Relieving Liquid with two powerful anesthetics: 4% lidocaine which is the maximum strength lidocaine allowable without a prescription and 10% benzyl alcohol which is fast-acting.”

“Hisamitsu, the manufacturer of the Salonpas products, sent over samples of the new unscented Salonpas® Lidocaine Plus cream and liquid productsthat are now available in retail outlets,” said Dr. Bob Arnot, award-winning broadcast journalist, author and paddleboard champion.   “I like that I can easily apply Lidocaine Plus Pain Relieving Liquid, with its roller ball applicator, after a paddleboard session without any sticky feeling.  The Lidocaine Plus Pain Relieving Cream helps address my ‘tennis elbow’ and general pain management issues.  Both products include the maximum strength lidocaine available without a prescription along with Benzyl Alcohol which works quickly to desensitize aggravated nerves.”

 

“Lidocaine is a highly effective pain reliever with unique non-narcotic and non-addictive properties that make it a safer alternative to the range of systemic pain options, which can have serious side effects,” adds Dr. Arnot.  “Prescription lidocaine patches are only indicated for post herpetic neuralgia, also called shingles pain and is classified as an orphan drug.  Studies have shown that a high number of lidocaine prescriptions were used for conditions other than post herpetic neuralgia. Medicare and many insurance companies are no longer providing coverage for off-label use of lidocaine so the availability of affordable OTC lidocaine products is very positive for pain sufferers.”

Hisamitsu America is the US division of Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical Co., Inc., founded in 1847, which has specialized in patch technology since the introduction of its Salonpas line of patches in 1934. Salonpas®, which gained early acceptance in Japan and now sells in over 50 countries, has pioneered the development of topical patches to relieve everyday aches and pains. Today, the Salonpas® Pain Relief Patch is the first and only FDA-approved OTC pain patch.

One of you can win these to try out yourselves- just leave a comment in the below RC form if you’d like to enter. Good luck! Ends Feb. 23, 2018.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Healthy Food You and The Family Will Love

January 30, 2018 by Leave a Comment

Looking for healthy food you and the entire family will love? These fun finds will keep everyone happy, and taste as good as they are good for you- which isn’t easy!

We have been fans of noosa yoghurt for a while now, and were excited that they have introduced both new flavors and new combination yoghurt/topping combinations, which are delightful.  These mix-in-style yoghurts are called noosa mates, and pairs the creamy noosa whole milk yoghurt we already enjoyed so much with delicious, high-quality toppings like crunchy granolas, roasted nuts, pretzels and premium chocolate. Just pull off the top, flip the “mix in” side into the yoghurt, and stir.  It’s very satisfying and satiating- not to mention it just tastes great.  They have also added apple and pumpkin flavors to their growing line. 

Available nationwide in many groceries and super stores in single packs, four packs, and larger sized 24 0z containers, prices vary.  Visit https://www.noosayoghurt.com for varieties and to find a store.

With the Super Bowl right around the corner, you will need some great snacks on hand. What’s a tailgating party without chips and dips? Heluva Good! is perfect for your favorite dippables or to be used in a recipe for game day (or any day). It’s the perfect take along when you get invited to a party as well- there is never anyone who will turn town a friend who brings snacks to the festivities. Available in French Onion, Bacon Horseradish, Buttermilk Ranch, and Jalapeno Cheddar, there is a flavor everyone will enjoy.  You can find fun recipes and creations to try out on their website as well- there is a potato skin concoction that looks amazing (and I’m going to try it for the big game day)- take a look and see what tickles your fancy. Visit http://heluvagood.com for info, where to buy, food ideas, and more, then head to your local supermarket to pick some up and try some for yourself.

Need to wash it all down? Honest Tea, a brand that has been around for a while and is known for both it’s great taste and it’s quality ingredients as well as it’s ethical business practices, has introduced a new flavor. Honest Tea’s Pomegranate Blue Herbal Tea is now available, and it’s not to be missed for tea fans.  Made with organic pomegranate, grape and blueberries blended with Hibiscus Tea—when they are in season. They only use organic and fair-trade ingredients, making Honest Tea a refreshing mix of delicious and integrity. Honestly. Available for $1.99 in stores nationwide. 

Looking for a little something sweet to wrap up your day? For a bit of indulgence, have you tried the latest from GODIVA? One of their recent offerings was the delightful Pumpkin Spice Truffle Flight –  these luscious Pumpkin Spice Truffles are the perfect way to end any long day, or as a treat after a meal. They are really cute as well- GODIVA’s Foil-Wrapped Pumpkin Spice Truffles feature five delightful truffles made with pumpkin ganache inside a milk chocolate shell, and the foil looks like a little pumpkin, stem and all. An adorable gift for anyone, or just something sweet to treat yourself and your loved ones. Of course, with Valentines Day coming up, the boxes of chocolate are great options (for anytime of year, really) and come in tons of varieties and sizes. Classic heart shaped boxes, adorable gift sets that pair gourmet chocolates with sweet stuffed animals, the traditional gold Godiva boxes we all wait for longingly, truffles only -you name it, it’s available- AND can be delivered by the special day if you hurry and order soon. Or find a store near you- visit http://www.godiva.com to find one and for options.

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Is It Necessary To Filter All The Water In My House?

January 24, 2018 by Leave a Comment

Did you know that the average person uses 1 gallon of water per day? This is for cooking, washing and for drinking. Generally, you will simply turn on your tap and assume that the water is safe to use and drink.

But, every so often you will hear about issues with the water and it will be enough for you to think twice about the water you are consuming. On solution is to start buying bottled water for drinking and just use your tap water for washing. But this can be an expensive solution and what happens when you need a drink and you’ve run out of bottled water?

The solution is to fit a sink water filter. This is not the same as a whole house filtration system and there is a good reason why.

The water board runs regular tests on the water they dispatch from the treatment works. It will be certified as safe to drink. However, they cannot know for certain if there are any contaminants between the treatment works and your home.  This means this water is safe to use but, at times, may not be safe to drink.

You can, of course, add chemicals to the water yourself and even boil it to make sure it is clean. However, this will increase your exposure to chemicals and may even give you health issues through over exposure.

It is much easier to fit a filter under your sink and have a dedicated tap on your work surface. The filter will remove debris and bacteria from the water, if there are any. You can even get filters which will reduce the hardness of the water or remove the salt associated with softening water!

You then simply drink and wash your food with the water from this tap. You know it is safe to use.

For all other things, including washing yourself and washing the dishes you can use the standard water. It is certified as clean and, even if bacteria have managed to get through, you will not be consuming any of it.

Assuming you wash in hot water the bacteria will be killed and will not be able to survive while you keep them in the cupboard.

The main benefit of using a water filter on your drinking water and not the whole house supply is cost. The filter you need will be smaller and very easy to fit. You will also not need to replace it very often.

If you fit it to the whole house, you will find hundreds of gallons of water being processed simply to go down the drain. You will simply be wasting money as the purpose of the filter is to provide clean water.

A water filter is a good idea but one in the kitchen, with a dedicated tap should be enough to supply your drinking and food preparation needs. The expense of adding a whole house filter is really not justifiable in the majority of cases.

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5 tips to getting your kids active after school

January 16, 2018 by Leave a Comment

As challenging as it might be, it is advisable and encouraging to get kids outdoors and engage them in physical activities, different from the routine hours they spend behind desks when in school. After school activities should be able to keep the kids active and nourish a talent that they might have rather than have them spend too much time watching television or playing video games.

Finding the different ways in which you can actively get your kids moving and physically active can be hard. Here are a few tips that can help you for a start.

1. Outdoor exercises and activities

Outdoor activities and games like swinging and climbing around are a great way for your kids to let out the stiffness of sitting in class the entire day. Aside from that, once exhausted from the jumping and climbing, they will be able to sleep better which is a plus.

If possible, create some time to exercise together with your kids. You can do a sport either in the evenings or during weekends like riding a bike trail or going for swimming which will not only keep them active but bring you closer as a family.

2. Assist them with their homework

Giving your kids, your time and participation in tackling some of the hardest homework that they might have been given at school can be motivating. Even if the homework is hard, your patience and the interest to assist them makes it easier and also gives you more time to spend quality time together.

It can be fun to be more creative, for example, you can make up a few rhymes, sentences or songs with words that might be part of the homework so that they are easy to grasp. Use the books allocated and more from the bookstore and frequently read to your kid. This will not only improve their reading culture, but also help them with diction and communication.

3. Join a group

There are various groups that your kids can join and learn something new or nurture a talent that they might already have like acting, singing, and dancing. Groups also help them build their confidence. The physical movement in the activities involved will keep your kids active.

AuditionsHQ.com is a great place to join for those looking for Disney Channel Auditions and Casting Calls. They have a list of auditions for the Disney channel with new opportunities for your kid to be on Disney shows and movies as well as a chance to be a part of other Disney projects like theme parks, cruises, commercial voice-overs and more.

4. Help with meal preparation

Kids can be involved in meal preparation and cooking. This keeps them entertained and busy as well as helps them learn some few things. Find fun recipes and let them help you out with activities like preparing the table and setting the cutlery.

5. Gardening

If you have a garden, this might be a great opportunity to let your kids have fun and at the same time develop independence through the use of adult tools like spades used in gardening. Outdoor exploration teaches your kids to be creative, developing their abilities more.

Find more ways that enable your kids to not only be active after school, but also develop their other abilities and character.

 

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Emmy’s Organics Coconut Cookies – Vegan Friendly

January 12, 2018 by Leave a Comment

Instead of battling the dreaded sugar rush, how about trying a healthier cookie?

Made with premium all-natural ingredients like fair trade cocoa powder, Emmy’s Organics coconut cookies are a delicious better-for-you bite that kids and parents will enjoy.  They are perfect for packing in lunchboxes as well.

Available in flavors like Peanut Butter, Chocolate Chip, Vanilla Bean and more, Emmy’s are certified USDA organic, gluten-free, vegan, non-GMO, soy-free and paleo-friendly. Plus, each serving contains 6g sugar or less- can’t shake a stick at that.

The cookies themselves are sightly bigger then a quarter, so they are pretty small, and they texture is very much…coconutty? Maybe not a word as such, but it’s descriptive. They are flaky and have the feel of semi-baked cookies, almost cookie-dough-ish.  They are not like “regular” cookies as such, there is definitely no crunch involved. That’s not to say you won’t enjoy them or they aren’t good- just different for the average cookie.

These cookies are USDA Certified Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, Gluten-Free, Vegan, Soy-Free, Grain-Free- the facility processes tree nuts, seeds & peanuts. Some are also nut free, all but the peanut butter, I believe.

Check them out in a store near you or at https://emmysorganics.com .

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Reduce Stress and Relax this with The AiroSpa™ Pillow

January 11, 2018 by Leave a Comment

If you or someone you know has a hard time getting to sleep or staying asleep, you will love the relaxation and stress relief that comes with the AiroSpa™ Pillow, www.airospapillow.com.  My intended has a hard time sleeping, and has been battling insomnia for as long as I’ve known him, and he has really enjoyed the AiroSpa Pillow- we tend to use it before bed, as a massage pillow. It’s nice to lay on and makes it easy to reach all your back and neck, without having to turn this way or that, or getting a stiff neck in the process, and it also gives the extra relaxation benefit of the aromatherapy. He really likes the shape of it, but feels that the fan doesn’t put out enough scent- it’s so subtle that he can’t really smell it, and I agree. Maybe after many uses, it will start to produce more smell. The best part of the pillow is the back rub use- it really is perfect for that purpose.

It’s no secret that stress and its physical and emotional impact may be the nation’s #1 hidden health issue. A recent CBS News study found that more Americans than ever before are stressed and depressed. The study found a full 8.3 million or 3.4% of the entire population suffer from serious psychological distress. The AiroSpa™ Pillow is one of the simplest and most affordable solutions to the stress challenge, and it’s easy to use as well.

 The AiroSpa™ Pillow is a unique, simple to use, affordable, multi-purpose stress reliever and aromatherapy pillow that can be enjoyed at home and while traveling anywhere. With its built-in and patented fan, airflow vents and face-down angled construction, the AiroSpa™ Pillow can be used as a home/office/travel massage experience enhancer with a partner or all on its own for a calming and relaxing experience.

The AiroSpa™ Pillow and its patented fan disperses a relaxing aroma from each of the inclusive pure-essential oils that produces advantages ranging from calming stress relief to a reduction in neck and shoulder pain to improved posture. Other benefits include a reduction or resolution to snoring, and enhanced breathing. It also makes for a fantastic massage and aromatherapy experience.

“The face-down positioning of the AiroSpa™ Pillow definitely helps relieve neck and shoulder pressure. Combined with its relaxing aromas produced from the essential oils and dispersed by a clever internal fan system, that position helps keep the sinuses and breathing passageways clear. Overall, this produces a truly positive and relaxing feeling,” said Julie Danaher, Licensed Massage Therapist, West Palm Beach, FL. “It’s compact, portable and easy to use so it’s beneficial as a personal massage tool or simply for relaxation.”

The AiroSpa™ Pillow comes complete with a simple to inflate, padded, face-down pillow, a patented insertable fan to provide air flow and to disperse the pure-essential oils that all comes neatly packaged.

The entire set retails for $29.95 plus shipping and handling and includes three pure essential oils (Lavender, Chamomile, Geranium). For a limited time, the AiroSpa™ Pillow will come with three additional pure essential oils (Jasmine, Rose, Ylang-Ylang), normally a $30 value, at no extra charge.

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5 Quick tips for a whiter and brighter smile

January 2, 2018 by Leave a Comment

A bright smile is an asset to every person. Not only does it give positive vibes and a warm impression, it also speaks of confidence and self-esteem to the person wearing it. Having healthy teeth is not that hard to achieve. For sure you already know the basics, brush your teeth regularly, visit your favorite raleigh dentist, floss, and so on. Now, read on to learn about 5 quick tips to getting a whiter and brighter smile.

 

  1. Brush your teeth regularly

Yup, this one’s never going away. Brushing your teeth is part of proper oral hygiene. Ideally you should brush your teeth at least twice a day. This helps prevents cavities and removes plaque buildup. You wouldn’t want a transparent layer of bacteria get cozy on your pearly whites. Brushing also keeps the gums healthy by stimulating it. For better results, use whitening toothpaste and mouthwash. It’s an affordable way to get the whitening boost you want, as they contain a light amount of bleaching agent that help prevent discoloration.

 

  1. Have your teeth cleaned regularly

Checking up with your dentist regularly for dental cleaning is essential in maintaining your pearly whites. Not only does it help you prevent cavities and gum disease, it also definitely brightens your smile by removing all the built-up stains you got from eating various foods. A regular dental checkup is great for your oral health. It freshens your breath and eventually boosts your overall health.

 

  1. Avoid teeth staining foods and drinks

A lot of the foods we eat contain artificial colouring that stains our teeth and causes discoloration. Some of these are tea, red wine, and coffee. You should avoid taking them in large amounts to save your teeth from getting darker. But anyway, that’s just a word of precaution. If you follow a good oral care routine, there’s no reason to avoid them totally.

 

  1. Try bleach strips

Bleaching strips contains peroxide or bleach and they work the same way regular bleaching agents do to your clothes. They work to whiten them when applied to your teeth, restoring its natural white color. They’re generally less expensive than most teeth whitening treatments that’s why they’re more popular. Aside from that they’re also very easy to use. A kit usually contains two strips, one for the upper teeth and another for the lower teeth. Depending on the directions in the package you have to put them twice a day for at least two weeks to see results. They’re also very effective. In just a few days your teeth will already appear whiter and the results will last at least four months, not bad!

 

  1. Drink enough water

Water is ultimately the best beverage for our body. Same goes with our teeth. Drinking water, especially with fluoride, helps strengthen your teeth. Fluoride is, after all, nature’s cavity fighter. Water keeps the mouth clean, making it an inhospitable abode for any bacteria buildup that threatens to coat your teeth and gums. Water washes our mouth with every sip, taking with it any leftover foods, sugar, and other particles that bacteria love to feast on.

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