Category Archive

It’s easy to think of a bright smile as the primary outcome of dental care, but there are many whole-body health benefits you can get from a regular visit to your dentist.

During these routine checkups, your dentist will examine not just your teeth, but also your gums and mouth as a whole. This exam will let them spot any oral problems such as cavities, teeth grinding, or gum disease and recommend treatment plans to address them.

Additionally, keeping your mouth healthy can boost your overall health. Our mouths are full of bacteria (mostly harmless), and keeping that bacteria under control by daily brushing and flossing helps reduce the odds of other conditions, such as certain cancers and possibly Alzheimer’s disease.

It’s commonly recommended to get a dental checkup every six months, but certain health conditions might necessitate more frequent visits. For example, diabetes is often linked to gum disease due to high blood sugar levels. Frequent consumption of alcohol and tobacco is linked to a higher rate of permanent tooth loss and oral disease. Genetic factors also matter – if there’s a history of oral disease in your family, you may want to get a checkup more frequently.

Most dental benefits will cover 1-2 preventive checkups per year, as well as some further services. Check your benefits information to see what’s covered. Additionally, you can use Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account funds for dental services to keep your smile bright and body healthy.

Oral health: A window to your overall health – Mayo Clinic

How Often Should You Get a Dental Checkup? (webmd.com)

Between juggling work, family, and social lives, self-care is often the first item we drop. Being constantly on-the-go catches up with us sooner or later, often in the form of stress or anxiety.

If you’ve noticed that you’re grinding your teeth, nursing a constant stress headache, or find your shoulders hiked up around your ears, it’s time to take some steps to lower your stress.

Moving. It might be counterintuitive at first, but moving your body can help you release stress. Whether it’s going for a brief walk down your block, taking time for a longer weekend hike, or doing 15 minutes of yoga at the end of your day, physical movement helps your body create endorphins, which are hormones that help you feel better. Swimming a few laps or going for a jog can be meditative, allowing you to calm your thoughts.

Meditating. Simply put, meditation is a practice in which one works on being mindful, aware of one’s body, or focusing and clearing one’s mind. Even 10-15 minutes a day can help you reduce stress, and may even help reduce your risk of heart problems. Not sure where to start? There are many apps, both paid and free, that can guide you.

Enjoying. Listen to music that you enjoy. Step outside and bask in the sunshine. Take time to do a hobby that brings you joy, whether it’s woodworking, playing a sport with friends, or whipping up something in the kitchen. Pet a furry friend. Take some solitary time to be by yourself and recharge.

If you’re not sure where to start, click HERE and HERE for some suggestions. Taking care of yourself will not only make you feel better in your downtime, but help you be happier and more productive during the rest of the week.

Relaxation Techniques: Learn How to Manage Stress (webmd.com)

Due to any number of personal reasons, many people want to take measures to prevent conceiving. Fortunately, there are multiple options to choose from,

including both reversible and non-reversible birth control. Reversible birth control falls into two different categories – hormonal and non-hormonal.

Most hormonal contraceptives work by changing someone’s hormones levels so that their body does not release eggs, which prevents pregnancy. This type of birth control comes in many forms, such as pills, injections, patches, implants, contraceptive rings, or small devices called intrauterine devices (IUDs). Most of these are not available over the counter and must be prescribed. Hormonal birth control may also cause side effects that vary greatly by the individual, so it is crucial to work with your doctor to find the method and dosing that is best for you.

Nonhormonal contraceptives generally work by preventing sperm from making contact with an egg, which also prevents pregnancy. These include barrier methods such as condoms, sponges, cervical caps, and spermicides. This category also includes less effective methods such as fertility awareness-based methods and pulling out, both of which should be used with caution.

Non-reversible birth control involves either tying one’s fallopian tubes or getting a vasectomy. These methods are highly effective at preventing pregnancy but are usually permanent.

It is important to note that not all methods equally as effective, and many of these only prevent pregnancy – they do not protect against sexually transmitted diseases. Make sure to properly use the method you’ve chosen and understand its pros and cons.

Check with your provider to see what methods are covered under your health plan. You can also use Health Savings Account, Flexible Spending Account, or Health Reimbursement Arrangement funds toward prescription birth control and condoms.

Birth control methods | Office on Women’s Health (womenshealth.gov)

Birth Control Options: Pictures, Types, Side Effects, Costs, & Effectiveness (webmd.com)