Vision and Dental Health + Original Articles

Smell, taste, sight, hearing, and even touch. They can all dull over time, but there are steps you can take to keep them going strong. Your perception of the world around you would be quite different if not for your five senses. Your eyes, nose, tongue, ears, and skin work together so that you can recognize the many different sensations that guide your choices and behavior throughout each day.

Dentists are urging parents to say "so long" to sippy cups for their children. And you thought sugar was the only cavity culprit! When used incorrectly, sippy cups can—and increasingly do—contribute to tooth decay. Dentists say they are treating a growing number of toddlers for cavities and believe sippy cups are partly to blame.

Here's a rundown of common conditions that can affect your sight, as well as steps you can take to treat, or even prevent, these problems. Age, heredity, medical conditions, sun exposure and other environmental stressors can all take a toll on your eyes over time. If you're lucky, the only vision issue you'll have as you age is adjusting to reading glasses. More serious conditions can affect your eyes, however, so it pays to see your eye doctor on a regular basis.

In between visits to the dentist, take these precautions to keep your mouth in tip-top shape. Taking steps now will help protect your dental health and prevent serious decay and disease from developing as you get older. The changes that occur in your body as you age can be seen in your mouth just as readily as they can be seen in other areas.

Why does dental health matter? Because there's a clear link between it and the rest of your overall health. "There's a huge link between systemic health and oral health," explains George Shepley, DDS, MAGD, spokesperson for the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). He says that the connection can be traced to the inflammatory response that occurs in periodontal disease and is seen in other conditions as well.

Oral health is key. Make sure your brushing is bringing the best results. "In our office, we often put a toothbrush in a patient's hand and ask him to show us how [he] brush[es] [his] teeth," explains Ted Sherwin, DDS, FAGD, a spokesperson for the Academy of General Dentistry. "Having a good tooth brushing technique is that important.

Volunteer at a school. Attend library lectures. Join a gym. Here are ways to build connection in your community. While some of your social circles will inevitably shrink as you get older, others can easily open up for you, if you stay open to new ideas. Volunteer at a local school, hospital, or community center. Attend lectures at libraries or wellness workshops at medical centers.

Do you regularly bite your nails or use mouthwash in place of floss? Your pearly whites could be paying the price. Your teeth were built to last a lifetime. That is, unless you treat them poorly. Are you guilty of any of these offenses? Crunching ice. They may be called chompers, but teeth aren't made to crush solid objects like ice. The American Dental Association advises against biting and chewing hard objects such as ice and hard candy.

To preserve your vision and keep your eyes healthy as you get older, take note of these warning signs. Nothing announces middle age quite like whipping out a pair of reading glasses in a restaurant so you can read a menu. Our eyes-like the rest of our bodies-change as a natural consequence of aging.  The lenses become cloudy and less flexible which make focusing a challenge, and dryness is often an issue.

Natural lenses in your eye become less flexible over time, resulting in blurry vision. Here's what to know about choosing reading glasses. Sometime after age 40, you may notice it getting harder and harder to read the fine print. It's a condition known as presbyopia, it happens to everyone to some degree, and the good news is it's easy to correct. As you age, the lenses in your eyes age with you, becoming stiff and less flexible.

More people are experiencing serious vision problems and even blindness. Learn the risks and what you can do. Troubling numbers recently revealed at the Prevent Blindness America "Focus on Eye Health Summit" held in Washington, D.C., in June (2012) suggest that vision problems and blindness are plaguing the population. Consider these statistics: 2,069,403 people age 50 and older have late age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a 25 percent increase.

It's common knowledge that stress affects many aspects of your health. Did you know that it can impact your eyes? Learn more. Stress can impact your life in a variety of ways. You know about good stress—the type that's necessary to make a really killer presentation or perform your best in a competition. But stress has an evil side, too. Bad stress can have emotional, physiological, and behavioral consequences.

Avoiding exercise. Skimping on sleep. Dressing too drab. Fix these flubs, plus five other offenses. Are you giving your age the respect it deserves? Ask yourself if you're committing any of these eight offenses: Assuming that aging means accepting declining health or beauty. You hear it every day: "I'm not as healthy (pretty, vibrant, strong) as I used to be, but that's what you get with aging.

A new study shines a critical light on the potential hazard of dental x-rays. A study published in Cancer reveals evidence that frequent exposure to x-rays can double your risk of developing a certain kind of brain tumor. It's important to note that the risk is very low and that some medical experts question the studies' methodology.

You've heard your oral health impacts your heart. Here's what the American Heart Association says now. The link between periodontal disease and heart disease has been acknowledged by doctors for nearly a century. But the American Heart Association recently released a statement questioning the association between the two health conditions. According to the statement published in the journal Circulation, there is not strong enough evidence to support  the notion that treating gum disease can reduce the risk of heart disease or stroke.

If you smoke cigarettes or stare at a screen all day, you could be doing your peepers a disservice. Read on for eight more offenses. Certain habits can cause stress, strain, and even permanent damage to your eyes. Are you guilty of any of these? 1. You wear old glasses/contacts. If your lens prescription is outdated, you could be making your eyes work overtime. While wearing the wrong prescription won't actually damage your eyes, it could cause eyestrain, sore eyes, and headaches.

It's common for adults who skipped braces during adolescence to straighten their teeth at a later age. If that's you, here are your choices. Studies show that beautiful smiles can increase your career success and overall attractiveness. Plus, crooked teeth or bite misalignments can lead to jaw issues, gum disease, and even tooth breakage. Different teeth straightening approaches follow the same basic principle: They apply constant pressure to teeth, causing them to move into the desired position.

Headaches are among the most common pain symptoms in the world. Learn about the different types of headaches and what causes them. At one time or another, nearly everyone has had a headache. In fact, 70 percent of people have had at least one in the past year. What's more, roughly 45 million Americans suffer from chronic headaches, a condition that costs U.S. companies billions of dollars in lost productivity annually.

Many people successfully kick the habit, and you can too. Here, the top 10 benefits of smoke-free living. Although the health risks associated with smoking are irrefutable, many people have difficulty butting out. After all, nicotine is a powerful drug, and when smokers quit, they can experience withdrawal symptoms ranging from anger and irritability to headaches and insomnia.

Add these super foods to your diet, and give your health an instant boost. By now, you probably know which foods you should avoid sugary colas, greasy snacks, fatty fast foods. But what about the many nutritious foods nature has to offer? While many people are familiar with the well-publicized superfoods, such as berries, salmon, and spinach, there's an abundance of lesser-known treats that can also do wonders for your health.

Brighten your smile without breaking the bank with these at-home, do-it-yourself ingredients. According to the American Dental Association, tooth whitening can be achieved by either bleaching the color of your teeth, or by physically abrading surface stains to make them lighten or disappear. There are hundreds of teeth whitening products you can buy that use these techniques, but combining natural products can save you the expense.

There are many known benefits to using mouthwash, but if yours has too much of this common ingredient, this daily routine can reverse the health of your teeth and gums. Four out of five dentists may recommend you use it, but have you ever wondered how mouthwash affects your mouth? Many brands tout the bacteria and bad breath (also known as halitosis) eliminating benefits of their products. The secret ingredient? Alcohol.

This mineral helps your heart maintain a steady rhythm and promotes normal blood pressure. It's being studied for its role in preventing and managing such heart ailments as hypertension (high blood pressure) and cardiovascular disease. The mineral magnesium is an important component to the health of every organ in your body, especially for heart health. Magnesium helps your heart maintain a steady rhythm and promotes normal blood pressure and is being studied for its role in preventing and managing such heart ailments as hypertension (high blood pressure) and cardiovascular disease.

Want to save your eyesight as you get older? Consider forgoing that juicy steak in favor of a green salad. Want to save your eyesight as you get older? Consider forgoing that juicy steak in favor of a green salad. A recent study out of England has found a positive correlation between the amount of meat a person consumes and his or her risk of developing cataracts.

While a set of pearly whites is certainly aesthetically pleasing, poor oral health can put you at risk for a variety of chronic conditions. Poll your friends about what physical characteristics they find most attractive. The majority will include a "nice smile" at the top of the list. While a set of pearly whites is certainly aesthetically pleasing, poor oral health can put you at risk for a variety of chronic conditions.

Prescription glasses, over-the-counter reading glasses, and sunglasses may be contributing to your headaches. The good news is that there are clear solutions to solve this problem. Vision is the result of a complicated network of nerves, muscles, and eye structures that all work together to create picture-perfect images. Wearing the wrong glasses can cause these structures to malfunction, causing headaches or migraines. Here's how...

While the process of teething can be painful, there are steps you can take to soothe your baby's sore gums and help her be more comfortable. If your baby's gums are red and swollen and she's drooling or crying more than usual, there's a good chance she's teething. Although it can differ from child to child, most children will start teething around six months old, as new teeth start pushing their way through the gums.

You know it does, but do you know how and why smoking is one of the greatest health risks out there? Understanding what's behind the risk might help you or a loved one give them up for good. There's no question about it: smoking causes cancer. In fact, smoking is responsible for almost 90 percent of all lung cancer deaths, and lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. Roughly 22 percent of cancer deaths in women, and 45 percent in men, are directly attributable to personal smoking habits.

Learn about the most common causes, plus get tips on how to fix this common problem. What causes tooth sensitivity in the first place? Common triggers include a cavity or crack in the tooth, but it might also be due to the erosion of tooth enamel. If you frequently get that "zing" feeling while biting into something sweet, cold, hot, or sour, you could have sensitive teeth.

You may have considered participating in a clinical trial. But are you a good candidate? And what's in it for you? Reading about the latest miracle medication to hit the market after success in clinical trials, you may have wondered who are these people who offer themselves up to science? You may even have considered participating in a clinical trial yourself. But are you a good candidate? And what's in it for you? Advantages 1.

Researchers have found that women are 11 times more likely to develop this serious condition if they are missing teeth or have gum disease. What's the connection? If you need one more reason to take good care of your teeth and gums, here it is. Periodontal disease is linked to breast cancer. In a recent study, researchers found that women were 11 times more likely to develop breast cancer if they were missing teeth or had gum disease.

The benefits of good dental hygiene go far beyond your teeth and gums. Researchers now believe your oral health can have an effect on how well your lungs will function. See what people are saying about this article on our Facebook page! The benefits of having great dental hygiene go beyond your teeth and gums. Researchers now believe your oral health can have an effect on how well your lungs will function. The Connection Between Oral and Respiratory Health You might not associate the health of your teeth with the strength of your lungs, but this correlation has been confirmed by a study included in the Journal of Periodontology in January 2011.

America is the land of the free and home of the brave. But when it comes to hygiene, we also tend to be the home of the over-obsessed. Here's how to remain fresh and clean without going overboard. See what people are saying about this article on our Facebook page! America is the land of the free and home of the brave. But when it comes to hygiene, we also tend to be the home of the over-obsessed. Americans tend to overdo bathing, hair washing, and teeth brush, resulting with dry skin, dry hair, and bleeding or receding gums.

Read on for a TMJ primer and tips for how to alleviate TMJ-related headaches. Millions of Americans suffer from frequent headaches and millions more suffer with Temporo-mandibular Joint  (TMJ) Disorder.  For many people, there's a direct link between the two. Read on for a TMJ primer and tips for how to alleviate TMJ-related headaches.

While the damage this condition does to the eye is largely preventable, unfortunately many people aren't aware they have glaucoma until it's too late. Glaucoma is a disease that can cause serious damage to the eye, even blindness. And while this damage is largely preventable, unfortunately many people aren't aware they have glaucoma until it's too late. How does glaucoma do its damage? Glaucoma can take several forms.

Contact lenses may seem harmless, but many children today end up in the emergency room because they don't perform important maintenance steps. A study conducted by researchers from the US Food and Drug Administration reveals that almost a quarter of all emergency room visits caused by medical devices can be traced back to complications caused by contact lenses. These findings were included in the American Academy of Pediatric journal, Pediatrics, in September of 2010.

A recent study demonstrates that depression actually alters the way people visually see the world. It's no coincidence that people who suffer from depression describe themselves as feeling blue. A recent study demonstrates that depression really alters the way people visually see the world; it appears grayer to them than to people who do not have depression.

New guidelines released in July 2010, make room for VBACs as well as vaginal twin deliveries (previously delivered almost exclusively by c-section). The United States cesarean section rate has skyrocketed from 5% in 1970 to over 31 percent in 2007.  Are we saving more mothers and babies?  Unfortunately, no and in fact, the opposite is true.  More women and babies are experiencing complications from cesarean sections, the most common surgery in the US.

If you need another reason to convince you it’s important to manage stress, here’s one you might not expect: stress takes a toll on your teeth and gums and can cause long-term damage and subsequent oral health problems. If you need another reason to convince you it's important to manage stress, here's one you might not expect: stress takes a toll on your teeth and gums and can cause long-term damage and subsequent oral health problems. Stress is a normal part of life.

Here's one more reason to maintain good blood sugar control: it helps keep your pearly whites healthy Here's one more reason to maintain good blood sugar control: it helps keep your pearly whites healthy. When your blood sugar is high, the chances of getting gum disease are significantly higher, too. Diabetics in poor control have a higher than average chance of getting gingivitis, the start of gum disease.

Diabetics need to be vigilant about dental health. Learn to protect your pearly whites. If you have diabetes, the old adage--ignore your teeth and they'll go away--is worth heeding. Your risk for a myriad of dental problems increases if your blood sugar is not in control. Even when you're in good blood sugar control, however, you still should be extra vigilant about oral health, experts say.

Brushing your teeth is essential, probably the most important part of your daily hygiene routine. Here are five ways to make sure your mouth is getting the maximum benefit. You already know that brushing your teeth is essential—probably the most important part of your daily hygiene routine. Plaque and tartar (hardened plaque) can release acids that damage tooth enamel and cause gum disease. Below you'll find the keys to make sure that your mouth is getting the most benefit.

Imagine being able to wear contact lenses despite any seasonal eye allergies. It's possible to weather your symptoms and still ditch the glasses. Eye allergy sufferers may fantasize about one day wearing contacts—without discomfort. But you may not be too hopeful, and for good reason. According to the findings of a recent survey conducted by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, the eye allergy discomfort respondents experience is enough to discourage almost half of them from wearing their contacts during allergy season.

Hair not cooperating? Before you reach for a hat, try these tips from stylist Jocelyn Dunnavant to tackle your particular problem. Having a morning when your hair won't cooperate? Before you reach for a hat, try these tips from Slope Suds Salon stylist Jocelyn Dunnavant to tackle your particular problem. Bed-head and cowlicks: Use a spray bottle filled with water to re-wet the problem areas, comb it into place, and re-dry it.

But if the relationship isn't working for you, it may be time to look elsewhere. The argument could be made that a doctor's role is not just to diagnose and treat the physical ailments that plague you but to tend to your psyche as well. Why? Studies show that patients in supportive and encouraging relationships with their doctors fare better healthwise.

Help your kids enjoy the year's spookiest night without sacrificing nutrition. For children, October 31 is one of the most eagerly anticipated nights of the year. And is it any wonder? Not only is Halloween an excuse to dress up in scary costumes; it's also an opportunity to snatch up massive amounts of sugary treats. According to the National Confectioner's Association, 93 percent of U.

Here's what you need to know about this popular type of procedure. Nothing lights up your face like a beautiful smile, so it's not surprising that people spend so much time and money whitening their teeth. According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dental Surgery, 96 percent of Americans think that an attractive smile is important for attracting the opposite sex, and 74 percent feel an ugly smile can hinder career advancement.

Read on for tips on what to eat in order to ward off macular degeneration and other serious eye diseases. Will a carrot a day keep the ophthalmologist away? It just might, especially if you include tomatoes, sweet peppers, dark leafy greens, blueberries, papaya, and other antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables in your diet as well. A variety of problems can affect your eye health and eyesight as you age.

Taking care of your pearly whites is crucial when you have diabetes. Counting carbs. Blood glucose testing. Possibly juggling several different types of medication. You may be so busy taking care of your diabetes that it's easy to forget about one very important part of your body: your mouth. Both "dry mouth" and periodontal disease are very common among diabetics, says  Maritza Dominguez, DMD, dentist who treats many patients with diabetes.

Many experts believe these sugar-laden beverages are unnecessary for the average exerciser. And now, a new study is showing that sports drinks may also do damage to your teeth. The jury is out on whether sports drinks are necessary, but there's no debating they're among the most popular beverages on the market.  The problem is, however, they're full of empty calories and unnecessary for most people who exercise. What's more, new study suggests sports drinks are also tough on our teeth.

If your allergies cause your eyes to be red, itchy, and uncomfortable, have no fear. We have tips on how you can get relief. Allergy eyes (also known as allergic conjunctivitis) can occur when you're exposed to an allergy trigger that causes your body to release histamines and other chemicals into your blood stream. This can cause the blood vessels in your eyes to swell and can result in a host of eye symptoms.

Does having sex make women happy or is being happy a natural aphrodisiac? Clearly, there’s a link between sex and happiness for women. What’s less clear is whether there is a cause and effect relationship. A new study funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia is the most recent to draw a connection between sex and happiness. There have been numerous scientific studies and polls on women, sex and happiness in recent years. A study at Dartmouth College found women retrospectively rated sex as the activity that produced the single largest amount of happiness.

Are x-rays really so dangerous that we need to put on armor against them? And how many x-rays are too many? Get the whole story here. A trip to the dentist can be nervewracking enough without being asked to don a heavy protective apron while having x-rays taken. Are x-rays really so dangerous that we need to put on armor against them? And what about all the other x-rays we may be subjected to over our lifetime? Coughs that won't quit may necessitate chest x-rays, while falls on pavement or concrete mean x-rays of our arms, legs, wrists, or even heads.

Avoid sipping on these drinks that erode enamel and cause tooth decay. When you need to quench your thirst, think twice about which drink you choose. According to several dental associations around the country, including the American Dental Association, some of the most popular drinks that we consume erode enamel and lead to tooth decay.

Learn how rheumatoid arthritis can affect your eyes. About 2.1 million Americans have rheumatoid arthritis and suffer from symptoms such as pain, swelling and stiffness. Fortunately, most people with rheumatoid arthritis will not develop eye problems, but some will. Rheumatoid arthritis may be more likely to affect your eyes if it isn't under control, or it's at an advanced stage.

In addition to revealing a couple cavities, your next dental visit may also provide important clues about the health of your bones. As medical consumers, we love getting more than we bargained for. What if you could get screened for osteoporosis during a dental exam?  In the near future, that just may be the case. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become fragile and more likely to break.

While sunglasses can give you an aura of glamour, don't forget that their primary purpose is to protect your eyes from the sun. But don't worry: You can still create the fashion statement you want while preserving your vision and the entire area around your eyes. While sunglasses can give you an aura of glamour or "casual cool", don't forget that the primary reason for wearing them is to protect your eyes from the sun. But you can still create the fashion image you want while preserving your vision and the entire area around your eyes.

Over four million Americans have this eye disease, which is a common complication of diabetes. Find out how to prevent diabetic retinopathy and preserve your vision. For people with diabetes and health professionals, methods to prevent diabetic retinopathy are high on the radar. Diabetic retinopathy, the most common diabetes eye disease, is one of the leading causes of blindness. The retina of the eye is essential to good vision.

Want a clean and healthy mouth? Follow these five tips. Brush after meals, floss daily—you know the drill. When it comes to your teeth, there's nothing new to learn, right? Wrong. We've uncovered some surprising ways to boost your tooth health. Read on for your best-ever choppers: Embrace braces.

Eye laser surgery improves quality of life for millions, but in some cases it can have serious side effects, and may be performed only on people who meet certain criteria. New laser techniques promise to address these problems. For many people, the benefits of eye laser surgery or LASIK seem obvious-fewer visits to the optometrist, no more expensive prescriptions, no more wrestling with smudged lenses, and no more wasted hours looking for lost glasses or contact lenses. Since the surgery was introduced in 1995, over three million Americans have taken advantage of it.

Learn what you can do to keep your mouth healthy. Diabetes affects so many parts of the body, and your mouth and teeth are no exception. Everyone has bacteria in their mouths, but diabetics, with their high blood-sugar levels, are more prone to tooth and gum problems than the average person. This is because high blood sugar enables germs to multiply and grow, and also lowers a person's resistance to infection.

Clean teeth and healthy gums might be your first line of defense against other diseases. Learn more. As a kid, brushing your teeth may have seemed like a hassle, but as an adult, you should be aware of how important healthy teeth and gums really are. Oral health goes hand in hand with your overall health. Think of your mouth as a window to your body's health.

When it comes to neglecting your chompers, the consequences can go far beyond making children cry or knocking people out with your lethal halitosis. Let the dental disasters below be a warning. If you don’t take care of your smile, you could find yourself on a toothless road to ruin. We presented two dentists with five memorable mouths and asked them to assess the damage – both physical and financial – of neglect and bad genetics.

Keep your teeth in top condition by steering clear of these dental offenders. Nothing conveys confidence like a bright smile, but if your teeth aren't as white and healthy as you would like, you probably aren't grinning as widely as you could be. While you'll find a variety of teeth-whitening products at your local drug store and can ask your dentist about professional services, the best way to keep your teeth pearly is by not staining or eroding the enamel in the first place.

Want to get rid of freckles? A hangover? A burn? Don't try these methods at home...or anywhere else, for that matter. For every one ailment, there are a score of home remedies that claim to cure it. Some are effective--like drinking ginger tea for a troubled stomach or soaking in Epsom salts to soothe achy muscles--while others are pretty useless or, worse still, dangerous.

One in five orthodontic patients is an adult, proving you're never too old for braces. Learn more about the latest teeth-straightening options. They say you never get a second chance to make a first impression, and nothing is quite as attractive as a confident smile. But millions of adults have dental problems that weren't addressed during their childhood--something that can make them self-conscious and reluctant to smile.

Tired of wearing contacts or glasses? Set your sights on CRT, a non-surgical way to improve your vision. If you rely on glasses or contact lenses to improve your vision, you're already familiar with the expense, inconvenience, and other drawbacks they present. For these reasons, millions of people have turned to elective procedures such as corneal refractive therapy (CRT) to restore their vision.

For many patients, LASIK offers a welcome alternative to glasses and contact lenses. Find out if you could be a candidate. Not too long ago, patients with nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism basically had two options: eyeglasses or contact lenses. Although these methods provided temporary vision correction, each could be a hassle. Glasses weren't especially suitable to an active lifestyle, while contacts had to be put in, taken out, and cleaned.

Could you spot the warning signs of cataracts, glaucoma, and other vision disorders? Get the whole picture here. How much do you know about your eyes? Many Americans are in the dark about eye diseases that could cause blindness, according to a recent survey conducted by U.S. National Eye Institute and the Lions Clubs International Foundation. Use this guide to separate sight myths from reality and to become more enlightened about your vision.

The latest dental advances are enabling more people to achieve their dream of a flawless smile. Here, a guide to some of the most popular procedures. Your smile can indicate a great deal about you, revealing whether you're happy, surprised, excited, or confident. In fact, 99 percent of people believe a smile is an important social asset, and nearly 75 percent say an unattractive smile can hurt a person's chances for career success, according to a study conducted on behalf of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD).