Meliora
  • All About Us
  • Our Solutions
    • Wellness >
      • What We Do
      • For Employees
      • For Employers
    • Collaboration >
      • Employers
      • Hospital Systems
      • Our Partners
  • Our Community

Importance of Maintaining Good Dental Hygiene

2/28/2017

 
Picture
Earlier this month, we shared with you Oral Hygiene and You! With February being Oral Hygiene Month we want to share with you additional information for prevention and awareness. Many people believe that health conditions or risk from poor oral hygiene only affect the mouth.
 
The mouth is the ‘entryway to the body’ and bacteria build up on your gums, teeth, and tongue can influence your overall health in many ways. Keep your mouth and teeth healthy; brush and floss every day – at minimum two times per day. Dentists recommend avoiding foods high in sugar and tobacco products. Visit your dentist or oral hygiene professional every six months.
 
Naturally, poor dental hygiene can lead to tooth decay or cavities. Despite what you might think, cavities do not only occur in children. Adults can get them too. The teeth have a hard outer coating called enamel. Over time, a thin layer of bacteria (dental plaque) will build up on the teeth; this produces bacteria that can cause a hole in this enamel if not treated. Brush and floss to protect your teeth from decay, however, once a cavity develops; your dentist has to repair the issue.
 
Gum disease is another sign of poor dental hygiene. Plaque builds up along, and under the gum line, infections may occur harming the gums and bones that hold the teeth in place. The most severe gum disease is a periodontal disease. In this case, an infection has become so severe that bone deterioration can occur, leading to tooth loss.
 
Bad dental health can also cause Halitosis – bad breath – this occurs when small food particles lodge between the teeth that collect bacteria and emit chemicals such as hydrogen sulfide.
 
Maintaining good dental health goes beyond your mouth, teeth, gums, and breath. Bacteria originating in the mouth can move through the body and cause more acute health problems.
 
Respiratory Setbacks
Bacteria from periodontal disease travel through the bloodstream to the lungs where it aggravates the respiratory system. There is a direct link between gum disease and an increased risk of pneumonia and acute bronchitis. Work with a dentist or periodontist, to avoid or reduce the development of illness such as COPD, pneumonia or other such critical health concerns.
 
Increased Challenges for Diabetics
Over 90% of adults with diabetes experience periodontal disease, and many have a more progressed version of the illness that leads to tooth loss; people with diabetes are more receptive to developing infections. There is a link between gum disease and diabetes. The periodontal disease makes it difficult to control blood sugar; ongoing diabetic complications are imminent.
 
Possibility of Heart Disease or Stroke
Periodontal disease can cause heart disease and arterial narrowing as a result of bacteria and plaque entering the bloodstream through the gums. There are bacteria’s containing a clot-promoting protein that block arteries and increase the risk of heart attack. High levels of disease-causing bacteria from the mouth can clog the carotid artery; the blood vessel that delivers blood to the brain and head, and increases the risk of having a stroke.
 
Possibility of Dementia Amplified
Poor dental health can result in tooth loss and trigger the risk for memory loss and early stage Alzheimer’s disease. Gum infections release inflammatory elements that increase brain swelling that can lead to neurological, nervous system and spinal cord complications.
 
You may think you have your oral hygiene under control with daily brushing; ensure your overall oral health and schedule your next routine dental exam today! And, keep smiling!
 
Everyone benefits from getting to the HEART of what matters! Please like and share this post!
 
Experience the Meliora difference; experience our pursuit of better. Visit us on LinkedIn

We Share Because We Care

2/24/2017

 
Picture
Today, we are going to share some articles and tips we have found on the web; we hope they are useful to you as you continue your journey to daily healthy living and your overall wellness. Remember, one habit or change in your daily routine can make all the difference.
 
You are not going to change overnight, gradual changes in your eating, exercising, socializing and reducing stress will happen as you begin to focus on them and give attention to them in a new light. You have to be the change you want to see; someone cannot make those changes for you. However, a loved one or friend can be a supporter and cheerleader to encourage these changes; you ultimately are the one responsible.
 
Now let’s take a look at some of the articles we found that might be helpful. *
 
Don’t let cold and flu confuse you
 
What Everyone Needs to Know About Cyberbullying
 
More Evidence Ties Gum Health to Stroke Risks

Longevity Recipe: 10 Fruit, Veggie Servings Daily                  
 
Tired of the Ups and Downs of Yo-Yo Dieting?
 
Finally....Brain exercises that work!
 
How to be more productive
 
8 Health Benefits of Having Fun
 
6 Reasons Why a Little Glass of Wine Each Day May Do You Good
 
*We in no way support these sites; this is for the purpose of sharing information and other resources that may be useful to you. And, of course, when making any decision concerning your overall health we recommend seeking professional advice from a healthcare provider.
 

Everyone benefits from getting to the HEART of what matters! Please like and share this post!
 
Experience the Meliora difference; experience our pursuit of better. Visit us on LinkedIn

​Are you Good or Bad – Cholesterol?

2/21/2017

 
Picture
Cholesterol is a kind of steroid that travels in the blood and is part of some fats. It plays a role in generating hormones and helps create cell membranes.     

Why is monitoring your cholesterol levels so important? Should your cholesterol levels remain high, fat begins to build on the artery walls. Eventually, the buildup can stall the vessels and contribute to atherosclerosis, which raises the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Are you Good or Bad – Cholesterol? Cholesterol doesn't dissolve in the blood; it travels through the body by attaching to certain proteins. “Good cholesterol" clinically known as high-density lipoproteins (HDL), act like the cleanup crew, picking up excess fat from blood vessels; bringing it back to the liver for disposal. “Bad cholesterol" clinically known as low-density lipoproteins (LDL), deposits waxy stuff onto blood vessels. Your risk of heart attack and stroke increase when LDL becomes high.

You consume cholesterol from meat and dairy foods. Then the liver makes about 80 percent of the cholesterol in your body. The amount of cholesterol depends on several factors; genetics is the biggest one. Also, the liver can produce too much cholesterol. Body size can determine the amounts your body will produce. The smaller the body type, the less your body will produce. Another factor is your diet. Many foods are high in saturated or trans fat, which will cause your liver to produce more and depending on your intake, a lot more.
 
Fiber is a good way to release cholesterol from your body by connecting with the digestive tract. Another ally is plant sterols; elements found naturally in small quantities in fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, and seeds. All cholesterol-lowering attributes, so much so those in the food industry have become more aware and add them to many of their products. Adding such items to your diet assist in controlling healthy cholesterol levels and reduces the risk of heart disease.
 
Does gender make a difference when it comes to cholesterol? Gender does not determine how much cholesterol, in general, is in the body. The body makes more HDL through estrogen; premenopausal women tend to have more good cholesterol than men. After menopause, HDL levels tend to fall.
 
Men and women 20 and over should check levels; with normal range results, a doctor will recommend tests every five years until age 40 or 50, and then more regularly after that. Schedule your cholesterol screening today. Routine blood work ordered by your doctor may also include checks for hemoglobin – H1C, glucose – sugar, triglycerides, fibrinogen and a few others that can be used to determine your levels; allowing you to work towards prevention to avoid the risk of heart and other diseases. 
 
Your doctor can prescribe the best level of blood work; including all the critical markers for your current health condition and based on your prior history. For those over 50, this is likely beyond a routine blood panel. Here's to your GOOD cholesterol outweighing the BAD!

Everyone benefits from getting to the HEART of what matters! Please like and share this post!

Experience the 
Meliora difference; experience our pursuit of better. Visit us on LinkedIn

<<Previous

    Categories

    All
    A Wellness Affair
    For Employees
    For Employers
    Just For Fun!
    Knowledge Center
    Press Box
    The Meliora Factor

    Archives

    December 2019
    November 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016

    RSS Feed

We Would Love to Chat with You Soon!

Telephone
817-546-2953

Email
[email protected]

Vertical Divider
Picture

  • All About Us
  • Our Solutions
    • Wellness >
      • What We Do
      • For Employees
      • For Employers
    • Collaboration >
      • Employers
      • Hospital Systems
      • Our Partners
  • Our Community