Researchers connect Alzheimer's to oral health

Apparently there is mounting evidence that if you don't take care of your teeth and mouth, you may be at a higher risk for developing dementia or Alzheimer's.  In the past researchers have been able to make a connection to bad dental hygiene and dementia, but this previous studies weren't able to find an actual bacteria from your mouth in the brain, and this happens to be the case for people who don't take care of them selves, especially their mouths!

Researchers worked together from around the globe under the guidance of two professors from UCLAN, and they were able to take a look at 10 people who were mentally sound, and another 10 who were suffering from dementia.  The stuff the found is long and complicated, and I leave the complicate stuff to the medical journals, but the lesson here is that you need to take care of your teeth and gums! That means scheduling regular checkups with your dental provider and then doing your part when you're at home! Most people are recommending electric toothbrushes like Sonicares or the Oral B version, and then you absolutely need to floss as well! I know I definitely have trouble sticking with the flossing, but since a I purchased a Sonicare toothbrush a few years ago, I have seen a major improvement with my checkups at the dentist!

All in all, if you want to live to a ripe old age, and be mentally sound, maybe it's time to really buckle down on cleaning your teeth!

Is The HCG Diet Safe?

The HCG diet has been a hot topic lately, with even Dr. OZ chiming in on the debate. For a while there was contingent of folks who claimed that the HCG diet could cause more harm than good, and then some of those people changed there mind and said it was ok, and now the FDA has weighed in (no pun intended!) and officially said that the HCG diet is NOT safe!  I think this refers mostly to the diet that involves taking actual injections of HCG, but either way if the FDA says it's not a good idea to try this diet, then I'd have to say that I agree with them!  Really the best way to lose weight is to forget about these crazy diets, and start focusing and getting some exercise and making changes to your eating habits that you can actually sustain long term!  That seems like a much better option that risking your life or long term health with some crazy crash diet like HCG, or any of the other fly by night that come across your television scree or on the internet. No matter what you decide to do, you should always check with your doctor first, and just stick to what feels best for you!  Best of luck!

Do White Teeth Make the Person?

It can be pretty embarrassing at times when you smile, and you think that people are looking at your yellow choppers!  It happens to the best of us, and can be blamed on a variety of factors like drinking coffee or pop and heck just plain ol' old age for a lot of us!  If you're hoping to freshen up that smile there are several options for you, and even a few options for those of you do it yourselfers out there!  Obviously one of the cheaper options for whitening your teeth is just doing it yourself at home.  Now this can be as simple as using whitening toothpaste, which may have mixed results depending on the type of stuff you're putting in your mouth on a daily basis, and what the heck you're putting in there!  If you want to kick it up a notch, then you can try whitening trays, which may set you back a few more dollars, but may offer better results than just toothpaste or mouth wash.  Finally if you're looking to really make a splash, then you may want to seek out your local dental professional. This will cost you a pretty penny, but if we're really being honest, it's going to get you the best results!  Ultimately, the choice is up to you, my friend!