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By: Paul Lee from Ask Smile Artistry

When it comes to your dental health, cavities that are left untreated can lead to plenty of other more serious unrelated issues. In order to avoid problems like cavities, there are plenty of things that you should take into account. Here are some myths and facts in regard to your dental health that you should understand.

Sugar is the Main Cause of Cavities

This point is partly myth and fact. Cavities are caused by the acid that is produced by the bacteria located inside of your mouth. However, these bacteria consume carbohydrates, including sugar. When anything with carbohydrates is eaten, the bacteria inside your mouth become active and produce more acid that can eat into your tooth. In any case, every time you consume carbohydrates you should ensure a good cleaning and mouthwash.

Acidic Foods Cause Tooth Decay

This is a fact. Foods that are high in acid such as fizzy drinks, citric juices, and lemons, may not cause cavities, but they can cause damage to the enamel of your teeth. Acid causes the enamel of your teeth to erode, which will make the tooth weaker eventually causing decay. If they are left further untreated, then the tooth could require extraction or a root canal to be sorted.

All Fillings will have to be Replaced

This is a dental myth. If a filling breaks down or the tooth gets a cavity, the filling may need to be replaced. However, as long as the tooth remains healthy, there is no reason that a filling cannot last for a lifetime. Fillings have been formed from such strong material that this is no longer an issue.

You will Know if you have a Cavity

This is a myth, and a bad one at that. When mild tooth decay starts, there are often no noticeable symptoms. Some people may experience mild pain but may put it down to sensitivity. When a cavity is painful, it is because the decay of the tooth has become so far advanced that it has caused damage to the nerve. When tooth decay is allowed to advance this far, it can lead to further dental health problems, and expensive procedures may become necessary such as an extraction or root canal. This is one of the biggest reasons why it is so important to see your dentist for regular checkups every six months.

These are just a few of the myths and facts that many people have heard about their oral health. There are many myths about dental health, and it is important to learn the facts from your dentist. Keeping your teeth healthy is crucial as poor oral health can lead to a host of other more serious health issues as well.

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The following post is a contribution by Jefferey Morgan, who has been into muscle building for the past several years and working knowledge on how to get ripped fast and staying healthy through meditation. He is also a dedicated writer for Get This Ripped.

My Story: Benefits of Meditation. Live a Healthier Life

By: Jefferey Morgan

Meditation is something that I believe has saved my life. I come from a troubled past, and I never felt at peace with myself. I could not sleep at night, and I did not have the incentive to exercise or to do positive things in my life. I was diagnosed with depression several years ago, and this problem almost destroyed my life.

I used to travel on the subway daily to go to work and school. I always enjoyed watching people walking by or traveling to and fro. I sometimes felt myself envisioning I was one of them, especially if I viewed one or more people smiling and displaying content and motivational attitudes. I longed for the confidence they contained and the apparent peace that came along with it.

I had a friend who I had neglected to talk to in quite a while, due to my reclusive nature. I knew she was one of those motivational and positive types. I decided that instead of longing for the inner peace I was craving, I was going to take action. I was going to find out what course of action was needed to achieve it.

I called my positive friend, and we had a lovely conversation. The conversation led to meeting out for dinner. During our dinner conversation, I could not resist the urge to ask my friend about the key to her confidence and motivational behavior. She quickly replied that she practices meditation and she applies it to her overall lifestyle. She said that she contributes meditation to her faith and motivational ways.

Imagine my surprise of learning that her secret was meditation. I could not understand how performing such a thing could positively affect one’s life. My friend happily filled me in on the minute details of why meditation became such an indispensable part of her life.

“Meditation is not about enriching one’s life, it is about enriching ones soul”, said my friend. This moving testimony intrigued me, and I had to learn more. My friend stated that various benefits can be experienced when performing meditation. Some of the benefits she mentioned were an improvement of concentration, and great exercise for one’s mind. Exercising one’s mind she said is the basis for not only a physically fit body but an emotionally healthy body.

I left our dinner date yearning to learn more of this procedure that can boost my mind and body. I had to learn more so that I also could use it in my own life. I found this an important task because of my desire to live a motivational and confident life. I was tired of feeling down in the dumps and allowing many life opportunities to pass me by because of my reclusiveness.

The following post was contributed by Nina Bernice exclusively for publichealthbugle.com. All contents for informational and educational purposes only. The information is not to be substituted for professional advice. Please give credit to Nina Bernice and the Public Health Bugle for any re-posts.

Health Reform Law, What Does The Public Think About It?

By: Nina Bernice

With presidential and a majority Democratic congressional support, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act came into law on 23rd March, 2010. The health reform law’s objective is providing health insurance cover to more than thirty million people. It endeavors to attain this by Medicaid expansion and federal subsidies provisions to assist lower and middle-income earners purchase private medical care insurance. The PPACA is estimated to cost the federal government a total of $940 billion over ten years.

People who fall between 100-400% of the Federal Poverty Level and want their own health insurance on an exchange qualify for subsidies. Eligible insurance buyers will receive premium credits and there is a sliding scale cap for how much they should contribute to their premiums.

The bill also requires everyone to purchase health insurance by 2014 or incur a $ 695 annual penalty. However, low income people have some exemptions from this requirement. The PPACA requires states to expand Medicaid to adults without children, starting in 2014. The Federal Government will cover 100 percent of the costs for newly eligible people through to 2016. Illegal immigrants are not eligible for Medicaid.

The most contentious issue of the PPACA is the “individual mandate” section. This provision requires that all American(except the low income) purchase health insurance by 2014 or incur a annual penalty. Opponents argue that individual cannot be forced to buy a product that they may not need or use. The Justice Department has respond to this argument by noting that every American will need medical care at one point in their lives. As such no one can choose to be excluded from the health care market. Many Americans expect that the court will find this requirement unconstitutional as it is an inappropriate exercise of federal authority, according to a Kaiser Health Tracking Report.

A prime issue for court consideration on 26th March is determining the merits of the health reform law opponents’ arguments on prohibiting claims until 2014 when the individual mandate in 2014 is expected to take effect. According to the Anti-Injunction Act (AIC), claimants cannot make a claim on tax until the tax has been paid by the claimant. Judges in two federal courts have already determined that the Anti-Injunction Act is applicable in this case. This argument by the federal judges might temporarily exempt the Supreme Court from making a decision about the AIA during this election year.

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Image courtesty of myhomedesign.org

Martial Arts: It’s not about fighting!

By: Maneera Saxena Behl

Not just a tool to beat up bad guys and bullies, but practicing martial art benefits the entire body and mind.

Martial arts are a combination of various self-defense systems and mind-focusing work-outs. Not only does it train one to be an adept warrior, but also ensures that the person practicing this form stays mentally agile and physically fit. Feeling disturbed and angry? Not a problem as martial arts reverses energy imbalances within the body and also calms the raging emotions within one’s mind.

Kung Fu, Tai Chi, Judo are some prominent martial art examples. The term ‘martial art’ is often used to describe the various East Asian fighting arts. The more appropriate origin of the term ‘martial art’ lies in a Latin word meaning ‘Arts of Mars’, the Roman warrior God.

In fact, a study published in the May 1985 edition of Psychology Today Magazine highlighted the confirmed benefits of practicing martial arts. It revealed that people who made any of the above martial arts a part of their daily routine showed lower levels of stress and anxiety and higher levels of self esteem and intelligence. So, here is the scientific reason you were looking for to get motivated enough to get that Black Belt you always wanted!

Martial Arts Demystified

Historically the appearance of the first martial art practices dates back to the late 1^st millennium BC. The modern martial art prevalent in Asia is a unique admixture of early Indian and Chinese martial art practices. In Europe, martial arts appearance dates back to the classical antiquity. The various boxing and wrestling contests which we often get to view on our television sets is a good recreation of the historical gladiatorial combats prevalent in ancient Europe.

Martial art does not alone prepare a fighter in you. These days it is used as a means to promote mental and physical well being. Not only does it give one a sound body, but a sound mind as well. Therefore many people nowadays include martial art practices in their daily health and fitness regimen.

Physical Health Benefits of Martial Art:

Martial arts increases a person’s strength, stamina, coordination and flexibility.

The various physical health benefits of martial arts may be listed as follows:

• Strengthens the lymphatic system and boosts lymph flow
• Improves cardiovascular health and one’s breathing capacity
• Strengthens the digestive and excretory systems
• Helps to lower high blood pressure, triglyceride and cholesterol levels
• Lowers one’s susceptibility to cold, allergies, cancer, digestive disorders, abdominal ailments,  arthritis and other degenerative disorders
• Tones muscles, strengthens muscles and makes muscles injury resistant
• Supplies more oxygen to body cells and tissues
• Strengthens immune system
• Prevents Type 2 diabetes
• Improves glandular functioning
• Gives relief from fatigue and menstrual problems

This week, I wanted to share an interesting segment on our nation’s current healthcare status. Also, I have two guest blogger’s, Amanda Kidd and Marina Salsbury discussing tips on obesity issues with college students and factors that may affect our weight.

1) Healthcare Uncovered (source: The Boston Channel)

Clip 1
http://www.thebostonchannel.com/video/27538726/detail.html

Clip 2
http://www.thebostonchannel.com/video/27538932/detail.html

Clip 3
http://www.thebostonchannel.com/video/27538873/detail.html

2) College Obesity

By: Marina Salsbury

Obesity is becoming an increasing problem in adults and children throughout the United States. As our culture becomes faster- and faster-paced and technology use rises, adults are finding less time to exercise or to cook healthy food while spending more time sitting at desks. College students are often thought of as an active demographic, but in reality they spend quite a bit of time sedentary in lectures, in dorm rooms completing online college classes, and hours reading in libraries. Troubling statistics show that up to one third of college students are struggling with obesity, and many aren’t making healthy choices to combat this statistic.

Obesity is not the same as being overweight. “Overweight” simply means weighing more than is recommended given one’s height and weight. It could be due to an excess of fat, muscle, or even water weight. On the other hand, obesity is an excess of body fat occurring when one consumes more calories than one burns off.

College students’ lifestyles lends themselves to obesity if healthy habits aren’t instituted. There are a number of reasons for this. First, students may no longer be eating three healthy meals each day as they were when living at home. Skipping breakfast is disastrous since the student will be hungry all day and will turn to unhealthy food choices to satisfy hunger. Secondly, some college students eat a large amount of junk food filled with empty calories. Soda, chips, candy bars, and alcohol are all high-calorie foods without much other nutritional value.

Thirdly, stress leads to eating. College students certainly find themselves under a great deal of stress from packed class schedules, hectic work environments, and unrelenting deadlines. Many students turn to comfort foods, which are often high in carbohydrates, fats, and calories instead of other healthy options to provide energy-laden minerals and protein.

Fourthly, a great many students are unable to find time for exercising. Without a daily routine, students find they’re simply too tired to exercise, have too many other activities, or are fighting peer pressure to party instead. Regular exercise is critical to health in youth as much as later in life, but college-age students often fail to realize this until they encounter serious health problems.

Students need to be warned that this issue is about more than just body image and self-esteem. While it is true obesity can greatly affect these social and psychological aspects, there are a number of other long-term consequences to obesity. Obesity can negatively affect the reproductive system, the weight-bearing joints of the body, and may even cause problems such as gallbladder disease and frequent heartburn.