Health and Personal Care Archives - Page 2 of 2

Caring for Your Teeth When Wearing Braces

Braces are an awkward part of life for many kids, but in the long run, braces help to make your teeth straighter and stronger. Braces, along with wires and rubber bands, attract food and plaque buildup. This can cause staining of the teeth if not properly brushed away after each meal. If you do in fact brush after every meal, you can ensure adequate removal of any food which may have gotten caught in your braces while eating. Using mouthwash and floss after brushing will help to ensure an even better cleaning.Flossing & Brushing Tips For Teeth With BracesFlossing may seem a little more difficult while wearing braces, but it is actually quite easy. Begin by feeding the short end of the floss in between the upper portion of your tooth and the main arch wire of the brace space. Once you wriggle it in there, use a gentle back and forth “sawing” motion on each side of the tooth, being careful not to pull too hard around the arch wire.When brushing, you will want to use a…

The History of Braces

Dental braces would seem to be the kind of invention that was developed in the Victorian era and refined during the 20th century, as so many of our modern items seem to be. Given the necessary finesse in constructing and attaching braces, combined with the needed understanding of orthodontics, this hypothesis stands up to reason - but not the facts. Remarkable though it may be, braces have a far longer history than is commonly assumed. Classical Braces Dental braces go back not one or two centuries, but over two and a half millennia. The Greeks discussed ways to straighten teeth, for example, and archeologists have found remains with metal bands and catgut attached to the teeth such that the most reasonable conclusion to draw is these were early efforts at dental braces. The Etruscans, meanwhile, seem to have applied dental braces to their deceased, apparently in an effort to maintain the shape of the teeth for the afterlife. The Romans also provide examples of dental braces …

Depression in the Elderly: 7 Ways to Help

Depression in the elderly is real. Suicide rates are almost double in the elderly community compared to those who are younger. Depression can actually become worse with age. Also, depression is known to increase other health problems such as cardiac illness, stroke, insomnia, cancer, and dementia.The human body is interconnected with the mind and emotions. You cannot separate one from the other at any point in time. If you are physically sick, you may become more depressed. If you are depressed, you may become ill in both body and spirit.Here are some tips to help your elderly loved one. If you are elderly and reading this, please incorporate the following tips into your life. If you need help in doing so, show a loved one this article, and please ask for help.7 Ways to Treat Depression in the ElderlyExercise. Exercise is a great way to socialize with others and it also increases endorphin release. Endorphins are the body's natural pain relievers and feel g…