Sock Gum Disease in the mouth.

Gum disease ruining that perfect smile? Worry not, there is a way to beat it and if you read on, I will tell you a few different ways you fight off the advance of the viral build up that sees fit to try and ruin your day.

Gum disease plagues about half of the Adult population in the UK, with this number showing no sign of dropping we should ask “Is there anyway to increase my resistance to Gum Disease?” well, by reading on you will learn a few methods to do just that!

But what about those already affected by Gum disease, what about those who don’t know if they have Gum disease? The symptoms are not hard to spot, yet it’s not uncommon for people to live with undiagnosed Gum disease, so to try and avoid this eventuality, here is a list of the most common symptoms:

Initial symptoms
1. Red Irritated and Swollen Gums.
2. Bleeding of the Gums after brushing/flossing.

Secondary symptoms
1. A foul taste in the mouth.
2. Loss of teeth.
3. Pus developing under the teeth.

Advanced symptoms
1. Bleeding, painful Gums.
2. Painful ulcers.
3. Receding Gums between teeth.
4. Bad breath
5. A metallic taste developing in the mouth.
6. Excess saliva.
7. Difficulty swallowing or talking.

If you are showing two or more of these symptoms, chances are you are (or have) developing Gum disease, but fear not, there are ways to beat this!

Turmeric
When Gum disease sets in, the most commonly noted symptom is inflammation of the Gums. It is in this inflamed tissue that the bacterium that causes Gum disease grows; this is where Turmeric comes in. Turmeric is a renowned anti-inflammatory spice that has few betters when treating Gum disease, demonstrating its benefits most when used to brush ones teeth. Turmeric acts by inhibiting the growth and effectiveness of a gene that creates the gum inflaming chemicals, therefore disabling the growth of the cells and allowing your body to fight off the excess inflammation naturally.

By adding turmeric to your daily tooth brushing routine (read on for more on that) you should become far more resistant to the possible growth of Gum disease, or if you already have it, you should notice the swelling drop and the growth cease.

To add Turmeric into your daily brushing regime, simply pour a small amount of Turmeric into a small bowl besides your sink, then wet your toothbrush and dip it into the Turmeric and brush the your gums lightly. Be sure to get an even layer of turmeric over the gums, rinsing with warm water after applying to the entirety of the mouth. Be careful to only brush lightly or you may cause damage to the gums, and trust me when I say although Turmeric is good for you, it is incredibly painful when taken into an open wound.

Cranberries
Whilst I am not a fan of the taste of cranberries, I cannot deny their uses in combating the growth of Gum disease. The juice produced by cranberries has the curious effect of making it far more difficult for the bacterial agents that cause the spread of Gum disease to cling to the teeth, which rapidly slows the spread of the Gum disease.

Vitamin C
Have you heard of scurvy? The disease that was rampant in the 18^th century? Scurvy (as well as several other things) caused the gums of the sufferer to bleed, much like the gum disease that is far more common in the current day and age. The commonly known cure and prevention method was to increase your intake of fruits high in Vitamin C, such as limes. In that time period it was not exactly known why these fruits helped to cause the prevention of Scurvy, however we do know.
Vitamin C is used in the body to repair connective tissue and accelerate bone growth, which means that the damaged tissue (caused by the inflammation of the gums) will be able to repair itself at an accelerated rate, which has been shown to counteract the degrading effects of gum disease.

The simplest way to increase your Vitamin C levels is to eat foods rich in Vitamin C, these include:

• Limes.
• Oranges.
• Mango.
• Strawberries.
• Red Pepper.
• Broccoli.
• Grapefruit.

Honey
Honey has several antibacterial and antiseptic properties, each of them useful in combating the symptoms of Gum Disease. A simple way to use honey is to add small amounts of honey to areas of the mouth afflicted with inflammation, do this after brushing and rinsing your teeth for the best results.

Apple Cider Vinegar
When mixed with water, Apple cider vinegar has powerful healing effect. You see the “Mother” has powerful Anti-bacterial and Anti-microbial properties. A great way to use Apple cider vinegar is to integrate it into your tooth brushing regime, to do this simply add 2 tablespoons of Apple cider vinegar (with mother) to 2 tablespoons of water and mix them together. Then after brushing your teeth, gargle and rinse with the mixture. This anti-bacterial agents contained in the Apple cider vinegar will cause the inflammation to lessen, killing off any aggressive bacteria.

There you have a few, no muss no fuss ways of fighting off gum disease, with very little change to your life you can assure yourself a brighter smile, a healthier mouth and lifestyle. I hope this article will help you with any problems you may have, and even if you garner no benefit from this, pass the information I have provided on, maybe you’ll be able to help someone else out!

Hair Raising Foods

This is a subject close to many men’s hearts (and heads).  There can be any number of reasons for losing your hair, from environmental factors to genetics but good nutrition can play a vital part in hair growth.

Vitamins and lifestyle changes have been shown to encourage hair to grow and reduce hair loss.  Hair products, such as masks, shampoos and leave on conditioners can also prevent hair loss and restore healthy, vibrant hair.  This is a small number of essential elements and foods that can help you improve and even restore your hair.

Iron is an essential mineral, found in liver, beef, pork, fish, leafy greens, fortified cereal, beans, and pumpkin seeds.

Protein is absolutely essential for strong hair, but it's the protein from your food, not from shampoo!  A deficiency in protein can lead to hair loss whereas sufficient dietry protein can help to provide the amino acids that strengthen hair. Some good sources of protein include: seafood, white-meat poultry, milk, cheese, yogurt, eggs, beans, pork tenderloin, soy, lean beef, and protein bars. For vegetarians, vegans and dairy-free consumers, good non-animal protein can be found in tempeh, tofu, wholewheat bread, peanut butter, brown rice, lentils, quinoa, nuts, seitan, beans, broccoli, potatoes.

 

Vitamin C is another essential in your diet, vitamin C foods help in the good absorption of iron. Good sources include: citrus fruit, green leafy vegetables, salad, baked potatoes, tomatoes.

Omega-3 fatty acids help to keep hair healthy and aid in preventing it from becoming dry and brittle. Good sources include: tuna, salmon, mackerel, flaxseeds, and walnuts.

Biotin is a B vitamin which is important in the structure of healthy hair too. Good sources of biotin include: brewer's yeast, bulgur wheat, lentils, sunflower seeds, soybeans, and walnuts.

Zinc is another important mineral in the makeup of the hair follicle and provides essential hair nourishment too. Good sources include: oysters, lean beef, peanut butter, turkey, and pumpkin seeds.

Did You Know?
And finally, onion juice could be a natural hair restorer of immense potency!  A study published in the Journal of Dermatology examined the results when onion juice was used in people with alopecia areata. Twenty-three people applied onion juice directly to the scalp twice daily for two months. Participants began to experience hair growth after just two weeks of treatment. At four weeks, hair regrowth was seen in 17 people and at six weeks, hair growth was apparent in 20 people.