HEALTHY LIVING

Level up your at-home oral care routine

Published

4 years ago

11/18/2020

(Family Features) With many people hyper-focused on their health, there’s no better time than now to level up your oral care routine. In just a couple minutes each day, you can work your way toward a healthier mouth.

“While regular trips to the dentist are still as important as ever, it’s also essential to take care of your oral health every day,” said ‘America’s Dentist’ Dr. Bill Dorfman, celebrity cosmetic and general dentist, world-renowned lecturer and author. “People can make simple choices that really optimize their overall oral health.”

Take your dental hygiene routine to a new level of clean with these tips from Dorfman:

Make it a daily routine, times two (at least). Chasing away morning breath makes it easy for most people to remember to brush in the morning, but a nighttime brush is equally as important because it dislodges food debris that has accumulated throughout the day. Getting rid of the excess residue reduces bacteria buildup overnight. It’s also a good idea to brush during the day if you eat or drink acidic foods and beverages that can be harmful to your enamel.

Use the best tools. An electric toothbrush has the power you need for optimal brushing results and has been proven to be more effective than regular manual toothbrushes. An option like the Oral-B iO is a completely reimagined and redesigned rechargeable toothbrush that offers a professional-clean feeling at home. Its advanced features, like AI recognition and micro-vibrating bristles, ensure you reach all areas of your mouth and provide a deeper cleaning of teeth and gums as proven in clinical tests.

“I recommend Oral-B because they make top-of-the-line products and they are actively making at-home oral care more accessible through a $1 million commitment to the Dental Lifeline Network, a nonprofit that provides access to dental care to those in need,” Dorfman said.

Be thorough, yet gentle. The outer surfaces of your teeth may be most visible when you flash a grin, but the inside and top surfaces need brushing attention, too. While you focus on reaching every nook and cranny, be wary of brushing too hard. Excess pressure can cause damage to your mouth and lead to gum recession. Spend two full minutes each time you brush, methodically focusing on different regions of your mouth with an appropriate amount of pressure to ensure an all-around clean.

Combat contamination. Store your brush away from other toothbrushes so you don’t share bacteria. Also prevent mold and bacteria growth by never keeping your brush in an enclosed holder or case. Allow your brush to air dry between uses. Also be sure to replace your brush head every three months to ensure your bristles are effectively cleaning.

Go beyond brushing. Make flossing part of your daily routine by using floss gently between each tooth individually and rubbing against each tooth at the gum line to loosen plaque and debris. You should also schedule a dentist appointment every six months to maintain regular cleanings and oral checkups.

Find more tips for better dental hygiene atoralb.com.

SOURCE:
Oral-B

HEALTHY LIVING

Holiday advice to keep pets happy, healthy

Published

3 days ago

01/08/2025

bowienews

(Family Features) While family and friends share gifts and hearty meals during the holidays, pets are there to share snuggles and comfort. This year, make sure you protect the joy of the season by keeping pets safe as you likely introduce new foods, decor and other potential hazards in the home.

Share the holiday cheer with your pets by unwrapping peace of mind with these suggestions from the experts at VCA Animal Hospitals.

Manifest Holiday Mindfulness
Keeping your pets (and yourself) happy and healthy throughout the holiday season isn’t just about the physical. Don’t forget the mental and mindful aspect of care with these fun, easy ways to spread cheer.

Practice Self-Care Together: Enjoy a “spaw” day with pet-safe grooming products, throw a holiday-themed movie night, grab your favorite blanket for a cuddle session or try pet yoga.
Manifest Happiness: Write five reasons you’re grateful each morning, send holiday notes to those you care about, play interactive games during festivities and put a little extra thought into gift-giving.
Supercharge Your Calm: Meditate with your pet, unplug from social media to be present with loved ones (including pets), take a deep breath during special moments and accept that some things may go wrong during this hectic season.
Get Moving: Go for a winter walk, teach your pet a new trick, create an indoor obstacle course, enjoy a playdate at the dog park or introduce your pet to a new toy.

Avoid Toxic Foods and Hazardous Items
Your festivities are sure to be filled with love, laughter and joy, but all that celebrating is likely to include decorations and delicious foods that are harmful to pets.

Pets are often naturally curious and may be attracted to bright, shiny items like candles and decorations. Protect against accidents by keeping decorations like tinsel, ribbon, open-flame candles and fragile ornaments out of reach. Avoid plants like poinsettias, mistletoe, lilies, holly and amaryllis that may be toxic to pets. Be sure to cover or hide exposed electrical cords and exposed Christmas tree water.

Many common festive foods are bad for pets. It may be tough to resist those cute, begging eyes, but your pet’s health will benefit from your restraint. Keep chocolate, candy, fatty meat and bones, alcohol and exposed trash off the menu for pets.

Stay Prepared
Being prepared is always a good idea for pet owners, but the holiday season especially can be unpredictable with new routines, unfamiliar guests, hazardous foods and more. Stay safe throughout the festivities and enjoy peace of mind knowing VCA is by your side for those unforeseen moments with access to world-class emergency medicine by providing 50% off an ER exam for all pet owners and free ER exams for CareClub members.

Visit pets.vcahospitals.com/er-holiday to claim your 50% off coupon, find a location near you and discover more tips for a safe, pet-friendly holiday season.

Holiday Do’s for Healthy Pets
With endless checklists and to-do’s before big holiday gatherings, you know how important it is to be organized during this hectic time of year. Part of your organizational strategy ahead of the festive season should include your pet’s health and ways you can protect him or her whether you’re celebrating at home or on the go.

Consider this list your holiday cheat sheet with quick, easy ways you can protect pets before, during and after get-togethers.

Decorate with pet-safe ornaments
Keep festive plants out of reach
Put a skirt around your Christmas tree and secure it so it can’t fall over
Invest in electric candles or menorahs
Keep dogs inside during get-togethers
Follow your pet’s regular diet
Create a quiet space for your pet away from guests
Check in with your pet to ensure he or she is happy and comfortable
Thoroughly clean up and pack away any leftovers

Photos courtesy of Shutterstock

SOURCE:
VCA Animal Hospitals

HEALTHY LIVING

The importance of clean school transportation

Published

1 week ago

01/01/2025

bowienews

(Family Features) Across the country, more than 25 million children ride to school each day in school buses, most of which are powered by diesel and produce harmful emissions known to cause respiratory issues like asthma and bronchitis.

An alternative energy source, like propane, can provide children with a safe, clean and healthy ride to school. As an environmentally friendly and affordable energy source that is abundantly available, propane can help achieve a cleaner today and greener tomorrow for students.

Watch this video to learn more!

https://youtube.com/watch?v=XT6vzCDdk8M%3Fsi%3DFU6ZLnpGfsIsjjUI

Consider these reasons it’s important to clean up student transportation from the experts at the Propane Education & Research Council:

Propane reduces emissions in exhaust that negatively impact air quality by up to 96% compared to diesel.
Propane school buses provide a quieter ride than diesel buses, which means it’s easier for drivers to hear potential concerns and students arrive at school calmer and ready to learn.
Propane warms up quickly, providing a heated cabin for a comfortable ride during colder months.
Propane is affordable, allowing school districts to replace aging diesel buses three times faster than transitioning to an electric bus fleet.

Learn more about clean transportation options and the benefits of propane school buses at BetterOurBuses.com .

SOURCE:
Propane Education & Research Council

HEALTHY LIVING

Lower your COPD risk at any age

Published

2 weeks ago

12/25/2024

bowienews

(Family Features) Breathing: You may take it for granted, but your lungs are important, and so is protecting them. No matter how old you are, you can take action to prevent certain lung conditions, like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD.

It’s a serious lung disease that makes breathing difficult and gets worse over time. COPD is less common in younger adults, but anyone can have it. People with a genetic condition known as Alpha-1 may have symptoms as early as age 20.

Consider these steps to lower your risk for COPD:

If you smoke, get help quitting. Most people with COPD have a history of smoking. It’s not easy to quit, but your health care provider can share resources to support you.
Try to avoid exposure to lung irritants like air pollution, dusts and chemical fumes. Some occupations put you at higher risk for COPD.

Most people are 40 or older when symptoms start. If you have shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, chest tightness or fatigue, talk to your health care provider. Tell them about your smoking habits, any family history of COPD and exposure to lung irritants and ask if you should be tested for COPD.

If you have COPD, the sooner you learn how to manage it, the sooner you can start to breathe better.Don’t wait. Protect your lungs for life.

To learn more, visit nhlbi.nih.gov/BreatheBetter.