Cosmetic Dentistry

Twice a year we are told to go visit the dentist for a cleaning and check-up. This is standard oral care and is strongly suggested for everyone regardless of age. Some individuals want to take the extra step towards having a brilliant smile and for them cosmetic dentistry is the right approach. There are many different procedures involved in this branch of dental care and many people are finding it not only improves the way they look it helps with their self-confidence too.

Having a brighter, whiter smile can make a world of difference in how a person feels. Tooth whitening is one of the most in demand procedures in cosmetic dentistry. If an individual has yellow or grey looking teeth a dentist can use several different approaches to help make them look white again. On of the most appealing aspects of these cosmetic dentistry procedures is that many dental offices now offer convenient and affordable payment plans so you can get your teeth whiter at a price you can easily afford.

Unfortunately some individuals suffer trauma to the mouth at some point or they lose a tooth. For them cosmetic dentistry has a solution as well. Dental implants or partial dentures can help fill in any gaps they may have in their mouths. This is especially important if a young person has suffered the loss of a tooth through sports or an accident. It can radically change their smile to have all their teeth back in place again.

You may not realize that braces are now very affordable. Decades ago it seemed that only children of the wealthy were able to have their teeth straightened by wearing braces. Now this aspect of cosmetic dentistry offers many easy payment options for parents. Also, many dental insurance plans partially or fully cover the cost of braces. It’s important to get the child to the dentist early so they can chart the progress of how their permanent teeth grow in.

Some individuals have lovely, straight teeth but they still feel self-conscious about smiling. For them the cosmetic dentistry services that include helping repair a smile that shows too much of the gums above the teeth can help. This is a common problem and although many people live their entire lives with this and are incredibly comfortable, others don’t find it attractive. This branch of cosmetic dentistry typically involves surgery so it’s important to find a skilled and experienced dentist who has proven positive results.

When we are young our parents often tell us that we only have one set of teeth. They do this in an effort to get us to brush and floss. Although we do only have a set number of teeth in our mouths there is much that can be done to ensure we have a perfect smile with the aid of cosmetic dentistry.

Osteoporosis among Children: 9 Facts You Should Know

The skeleton makes up around 20 percent of our total body weight. It consists of 4 different types of bones:-

-         The long bones of the limbs

-         Short bones of the hands and feet

-         Flat bones of the skull

-         Irregular bones of the knee caps and spinal column.

Amazingly, we are born with all the bones we need for our entire lives – approximately 300 in all. Between 13 and 18 years of age our softer bones fuse into bigger ones, so that by adulthood the bone count drops to 206. Here’s the fact you as the parent should take note to help your children get enough calcium since it helps to build strong bones and can delay osteoporosis symptoms.

1. The amount of calcium needed by individuals each day varies by age. Children ages 1 to 3 years old need 500 mg. Those 4 to 8 need 800 mg. Children during the peak growing years of 9 to 18 need 1,300 mg. Adults from age 50 to 65 need 1,200 mg daily. Men and women over 65 years of age need 1,500 mg daily.

2. Calcium is found in a number of different foods. However, the most efficient way to obtain calcium is through eating dairy products. An 8-oz. glass of milk has approximately 300 mg of calcium so a serving for each meal along with a few servings of other calcium-containing foods, such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, green leafy vegetables, oranges or calcium-fortified bread and cereals, will likely be enough to meet these daily requirements.

3. Calcium is an essential nutrient for bone health. In fact, calcium deficiencies in young people can account for a 5-10 percent lower peak bone mass and may increase the risk for bone fracture in later life. A well-balanced diet including adequate amounts of vitamins and minerals such as magnesium, zinc, and vitamin D is also important for bone health.

4. Dentists may now be able to detect more than just tooth decay on dental x rays. British researchers have developed computer software that checks images of the lower jaw for early signs of the osteoporosis. “The technique uses x-rays already taken for dental reasons, so it’s something for nothing”, says software designer Keith Horner, a professor of oral and maxillofacial surgery at the University of Manchester. The software is not a replacement for DXA (dual-energy X ray absorptiometry)-the gold standard for diagnosing osteoporosis- but sounds an alarm. Many women don’t find out they have osteoporosis until it is too late.

5. Soft drinks tend to displace calcium-rich beverages in the diets of many children and adolescents. In fact, research has shown that girls who drink soft drinks consume much less calcium than those who do not.

6. It's important for your daughter to know that good sources of calcium don't have to be fattening. Skim milk, low-fat cheeses and yogurt, calcium-fortified juices and cereals, and green leafy vegetables can all fit easily into a healthy, low-fat diet. Replacing even one soda each day with milk or a milk-based fruit smoothie can significantly increase her calcium intake.

7. Kids with juvenile arthritis need to take special care of their bones, making sure to get enough calcium and weight-bearing exercise. Some health care providers recommend extra calcium each day: between 1,000 and 1,500 mg. Talk to your child's doctor for more information about protecting his bones while he is taking these medications.

8. Osteoporosis is rare among children and adolescents. When it occurs, it is usually caused by an underlying medical disorder or by medications used to treat such disorders. This is called secondary osteoporosis. It may also be the result of a genetic disorder such as osteogenesis imperfecta, in which bones break easily from little or no apparent cause. Sometimes there is no identifiable cause of juvenile osteoporosis. This is known as idiopathic juvenile osteoporosis. Two or more low-impact fractures may be a sign of one of these disorders. If you are concerned about your son's frequent fractures, talk to his doctor for more information.

9. Muscles get stronger when we use them. The same idea applies to bones: the more work they do, the stronger they get. Any kind of physical exercise is great for your kids, but the best ones for their bones are weight-bearing activities like walking, running, hiking, dancing, tennis, basketball, gymnastics, and soccer. (Children who tend to play outside will also have higher vitamin D levels.) Swimming and bicycling promote your kids' general health, but are not weight-bearing exercises and will not help build bone density. Organized sports can be fun and build confidence, but they are not the only way to build healthy bones.

Your Weight Loss Diet

Weight watchers, don't fear; weight loss diets are here! Losing weight has been made easy by the different weight loss methods that have been introduced, including diets. Diets make it easier for people to reduce fat and weight without tiring themselves out with arduous exercises. This is why a lot of people prefer to diet and simply cut back on fattening food to get thinner and lighter.

Weight loss diet programs come in a variety of forms, so people who are trying to lose weight will not find it hard to find a diet routine that they can easily conform to. A popular weight loss diet is the low-carbohydrate diet that lessens a person's calorie intake. Most foods that contain carbohydrates have high amounts of calories. These calories may be converted into fats when not utilized and burned. In low-carb diets, the consumption of calories is being regulated by requiring the weight loser to eat foods that are low in carbs or to consume fewer servings of carbohydrate-rich foods. This kind of fat loss diet usually consists of dairy products, like milk and cheese, and does not constitute carbohydrate foods such as rice, bread, and potatoes. The diet promotes weight loss by satisfying a person's hunger with food that is heavy on the stomach.

The liquid diet is also one of the fads in dieting nowadays. People who undergo this weight loss diet have to regularly drink beverages that raise their energy levels and reduce their appetite and cravings. Weight loss drinks have properties that can make people feel full for several hours. Consequently, they would not tend to eat much after drinking the beverages. In addition, energy levels increase upon consumption of these weight loss liquids, prompting people to move and go around a lot and burning unwanted fats. Liquid diets are usually recommended to people who are excessively overweight and those who have just undergone a weight loss surgery.

Another weight loss diet that many weight watchers stick to is the vegetarian diet. Aside from contributing to weight reduction, the vegetarian diet actually promotes good health. This diet consists mostly of fruits and vegetables. These components are high in vitamins and fiber that aid in digestion and cleanse the stomach. This fat loss diet also follows a "no-meat" rule, so a vegetarian can get his daily dose of protein from tofu or nuts. Many people are fond of vegetarian diets because these effectively enable them to slim down. At the same time, this kind of diet makes the body and skin very healthy. It also prevents the risk of developing deficiencies, as the diet's main components have all the necessary vitamins and minerals that the body needs.

With weight loss programs, people who want to reduce weight need not worry anymore. They will surely realize that achieving their dream figure is actually easy. There are a huge number of diet programs to choose from, so you will be sure to find one that you will enjoy in the long run. With these diets, you will be less than a step away to becoming slim and getting the gorgeous body you desire.

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