Caring for the teeth isn’t just about brushing, flossing, and using an expensive mouthwash. Lifestyle habits can also affect one’s oral health. Certain bad habits inadvertently damage the teeth, causing them to become chipped or cracked. They also increase the risk of gum injuries, jaw and bone disorders, and bacterial infections that cause severe discomfort. From biting the nails to eating too much sugar, here are six bad habits that damage the teeth. Biting the fingernails Nail biting is a bad habit people develop unknowingly. Since the nails hold dirt and debris, it’s unhygienic. Biting the nails repeatedly can also cause weaker teeth to chip off. Further, the jaw assumes a protruded position while biting, which can lead to jaw disorders that are hard to rectify. The best way to avoid this habit is to trim the nails regularly. Chewing, grinding, and clenching Chewing hard foods can chip the teeth or erode their surface. Hence, experts recommend softening the foods with saliva before biting them down with brute force. Clenching and grinding are subconscious habits some develop at night. Dentists recommend wearing a mouth guard to prevent the upper and lower jaw from grinding excessively. Using the teeth for unnecessary tasks Using the teeth to cut open strips of sticky tape, packages, or hard substances can cause them to chip off and grind away.

An appointment with a gynecologist can be unnerving for many. Irrespective of whether you’re visiting your OB/GYN for the first or the tenth time, you’ll always find it hard to discuss issues related to the most private and intimate parts of your body. However, since health is a priority, one must keep the uneasiness aside and raise concerns. Here are a few questions one might feel embarrassed to ask a gynecologist. Is the vagina’s structure normal? Not all vaginas look the same. It is because there are several aspects that differ from one to the next. For instance, the length of the labia varies. In addition, there are variations in skin coloration and clitoral prominence. But if you are still concerned about the appearance of your vagina, you should consult your gynecologist and undergo a physical examination. Is vaginal discharge normal? You may have noticed discharge in your underwear that varies in color, thickness, and amount. It is quite normal. A healthy vaginal discharges fluids as a natural cleansing mechanism. This happens regularly, especially during the ovulation cycle right before menstruation starts. However, it is cause for concern if the discharge is excessive and smelly. It might be a sign of infection, and you need to ask your gynecologist for a diagnosis.

The immune system is the primary defense mechanism employed by the body to actively protect against disease and prevent health complications in the long run. Even changes in daily nutrition and certain unhealthy lifestyle choices directly impact immunity. But the more important concern here is to identify the signs of a weak immune system so that immediate treatment and preventive care can be given for recovery. Here are the top indicators of weakened immunity. Elevated stress Stress is often referred to as the silent predator as it causes a high rise in cortisol levels in the body. An excess release of cortisol in the bloodstream lowers the white blood cell (WBC) count, the body’s central disease-fighting cells. Low WBC triggers a hormonal imbalance that directly affects a person’s immunity, leaving the body vulnerable to known diseases. Continuous stress can severely affect organ function and cognitive health. Fever Developing a fever indicates the body’s immune system is working hard to fight off a reaction or infection. There are also multiple autoimmune responses (triggers of the immune system) that directly impact a person’s overall health. With fever, a person also develops fatigue that impacts their daily routine. Frequent sickness An illness that persists or takes longer to recover from is a clear sign of a weak immune system.

For many adults, neck and back pain are common occurrences. The reasons can vary from bad posture, a sedentary lifestyle, or a chronic health disorder. Most often, the culprit is the wrong sleeping position. The position you sleep in can affect your neck and spine health. So it is essential to adopt some of the best sleeping positions for the neck and spine to ensure you do not wake up again with a sore neck or back. Here are a few positions that can help prevent and alleviate neck and spine pain: Recline the back Sleeping on your back in a reclining position can help alleviate and avoid pain caused by isthmic spondylolisthesis. Invest in an adjustable bed since you can’t recline a normal bed. You can align it in a way that gives you the most comfort and support. Reclining can benefit your spine by forming an angle between your trunk and thighs. This will lower the pressure on your back. Keeping a pillow underneath the knees Lay on your back and place a pillow under your knees. The pillow helps to maintain the natural curve of your spine. For extra support, you can place a small, soft towel rolled up right beneath the small of your back.

People enjoy wearing outfits that they come across on social media. It can be quite enjoyable to anticipate upcoming fashion trends. But there might be occasions when you might notice rashes on your skin without any underlying cause. And this could be due to the damaging effects on your well-being due to certain outfits in your wardrobe. Therefore, it is important to be mindful of these six clothes that could harm your health. Skinny jeans Despite their fashion appeal, skinny jeans may compress nerves in the groin and legs, reducing blood flow to the lower legs. The phenomenon could lead to muscle damage, numbness, and swelling. The tight clothing may also damage the skin barrier that protects you from infections. Therefore, you should reduce the time spent in skinny jeans or switch to more comfortable options. Control-top tights Restrictive shapewear like stockings and spandex may lead to pressing against your body. It could result in excessively pushing against your organs, resulting in stomach pain and acid reflux. While you could still wear control-top tights, save them for special occasions and reduce the time you spend wearing them. Leggings The clothing items are usually much closer to the body and rub against the skin.

Cramps are sensations of sudden and unexpected tightness in one or more muscles of the body. Also known as a “charley horse”, a muscle cramp or spasm can cause mild to severe pain lasting for a few seconds or minutes. Cramps are usually harmless and go away on their own, but in rare cases, they could be symptoms of a health condition. Here are a few bad habits that can cause cramps: Being dehydrated If one is not drinking enough water during the day, they may suffer from dehydration. The lack of enough water in the body will lower the blood pressure. This also brings down the blood volume in the body. As a result, less blood flows to the organs and muscles, leading to cramps. Such cramps are usually experienced in the abdominal area. Not maintaining electrolyte balance Electrolyte imbalance is another trigger for muscle cramps. This develops when one does not have foods or fluids containing electrolytes. Along with water, one needs to replenish electrolytes like sodium, potassium, magnesium, and phosphorus. Contrary to what most people believe, water by itself is not capable of restoring the electrolyte balance. Energy drinks or electrolyte water, fruit juices, green leafy veggies, avocados, and bananas are some of the options one can choose to replenish electrolytes.

Excess sugar is linked to multiple health issues, from diabetes to cardiovascular diseases and chronic illnesses. With the increasing availability of packaged foods and baked goods at local stores, it is possible to go overboard with sugar if one is not careful. However, one can keep an eye out for common signs of excessive sugar and limit sweetened food and drink. So, here are a few signs of high sugar intake to recognize: Frequent sugar cravings If one eats too much sugar, they will continue to crave sugary foods and beverages. This is because sugar intake releases dopamine, which is responsible for feelings of pleasure in the brain, so one can crave this feeling and indulge in more sweet foods. So, if one notices persistent cravings, it could be a sign that they need to limit sugary foods and find healthier alternatives. Energy crash This is a common and often unnoticed sign of excess sugar intake. Contrary to popular belief, sugar does not lead to constant energy throughout the day. The ingredient is responsible for an instant boost or rush of energy as the body gets busy utilizing this sugar. However, due to a rapid rise in blood glucose, the body produces insulin to balance the excess sugar.

When one has too much glucose in the body, it is known as hyperglycemia. It generally occurs when there is too little insulin in the body or when the present insulin cannot be used effectively. This condition commonly affects people with type-1 and type-2 diabetes. However, it may also affect people who have recently had a stroke, heart attack, or severe infection. Here are some common early signs of high blood sugar one should know about: Frequent urination High blood sugar levels in the body cause the kidneys to filter out excess sugar from the blood. This increases one’s urge to urinate, particularly at night. Increased thirst (polydipsia) Increased urination causes the loss of additional water in the body, which may make one feel dehydrated and thirstier than usual. Increased hunger Often, people with diabetes cannot get enough energy from their food. This increases their urge to eat more often. Fatigue A lack of energy causes people to feel tired constantly. Headache High blood sugar levels may cause shifts in the levels of the hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine, which may trigger headaches in some people. Blurred vision Excessive sugar in the bloodstream can also damage blood vessels in the eyes, affecting one’s vision.

Having a sweet tooth is more common in the country than one would imagine. According to a recent survey, 59% of respondents (who snack often) in the country chose cookies as their favorite snacks, with ice cream and sweets also featuring among the top 10 picks. While desserts are instant mood enhancers, excessive sugar intake triggers several health issues, which include compromised dental health. Here are a few ways in which sugar affects oral health: Dental cavities The teeth contain two types of hard tissues—enamel and dentin. When sugar enters the mouth, it may be metabolized by oral bacteria to give rise to acid, which can demineralize the enamel and the dentin, causing cavities. Food particles may enter these cavities, leading to tooth decay and further complications. Although teeth cavities may be covered with dental fillings, this process is rather expensive, accounting for 5–10% of the healthcare budget. Plaque Plaque or tartar refers to a sticky coating of bacteria on the teeth, causing bad breath, dark stains, and hard teeth deposits. Often, tartar is formed when the molecules present in sugary foods mix with one’s saliva and oral bacteria. If left untreated, tartar may dissolve the enamel and lead to the development of dental cavities.

The human body gives out certain hidden signs to alert one of excessive sugar intake in the body, and poor eye health is one of them. Excessive consumption of refined sugar can affect one’s eyes adversely, leading to diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic eyes result from damaged blood vessels due to poorly controlled sugar levels. Here are the early signs that should prompt one to consult a doctor immediately to prevent further complications. Signs of poor eye health due to excessive sugar Excessive sugar intake can lead to diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, and dry eye syndrome. Diabetic retinopathy is marked by damage to the blood vessels in the retina due to sugar, while cataract gives a cloudy vision. Dry eye syndrome can cause problems with one’s tear production. Identifying the signs of poor eye health resulting from excess sugar consumption is crucial for early intervention. Therefore, look out for the following symptoms: Blurred or fluctuating vision The primary sign of vision issues due to unstable sugar levels is blurry vision. Excess sugar intake leads to fluids getting leaked into one’s eye lens. Eye fatigue or discomfort The eyes may feel tired, achy, or heavy, especially after prolonged screen time or visual tasks. Increased sensitivity to light Individuals experiencing poor eye health due to excess sugar consumption may notice heightened sensitivity to light, known as photophobia.