What Your Mouth Says About Your Health
Wednesday, July 2nd, 2008
The network that Encouraging Health belongs to had server issues and I apologize to my readers that my site was inaccessible. The network administrator is replacing servers, cables, etc., so this won’t happen again. Now, onto today’s news:
Here’s one way to check your health: Open wide and say ahh.
Yup. Your mouth, more than any outward part of your body, speaks volumes about your well-being. Here’s what the state of your teeth and tongue can tell you . . .
Beyond Cavities: The Tale of the Tongue
Traditional Chinese medicine uses the tongue for most diagnoses. If it looks quite fat, you could have an overactive thyroid. A beefy, red tongue may point to anemia. Bumps that look like small hairs? Better work on your dental hygiene. Blisters? Might be a drug reaction.
And the Story Behind Unhealthy Gums
Red, swollen, bleeding gums signal gingivitis, an early form of periodontal disease. And gum disease has been linked to a host of other health problems, from heart attacks to erectile dysfunction. Here’s why: Gum-invading bacteria may trigger an immune response that promotes bodywide inflammation and arterial hardening, which restricts blood flow.
Yogurt for a Beautiful Smile
You brush, you floss, you rinse, you spit — all for the sake of your pearly whites. But do you eat yogurt?
Might want to consider it. Research shows that yogurt eaters are less likely to suffer from gum disease and tooth loss.
A Little Healthy Bacteria
It only took a couple of ounces of yogurt daily for people’s mouths to benefit. Researchers speculate that there’s something about the healthy bacteria in yogurt that helps protect teeth and gums. They may help balance out the bad bacteria in your mouth, just the way they do in your gut.
5 Dental Do’s for Healthier Teeth
Some additional off-the-beaten-path ways to protect your
choppers . . .
Skip sodas. The acid will eat away the enamal.
Buy yourself a pack of straws. Sipping saves wear on your teeth and gums.
Don’t be an overachiever when you brush your teeth. You’ll brush your gums away.
Drink Cranberry Juice! It can help thwart decay.
