Practicing good oral hygiene daily and eating nutritiously is essential in keeping our teeth in healthy shape. Having a fresh, clean, straight pair of teeth is the goal. It’s also important to note that crooked teeth may be bad for one’s health as well, causing bad breath, jaw strain, headaches, and difficulties chewing.  Brushing crooked teeth is harder as well, which can ultimately lead to bacteria and plaque build up, which can cause tooth decay or gum disease. Also, crooked teeth can affect speech sound and articulation. So, as you can see, straightening teeth is not only about aesthetics, it’s a health priority. Most people assume you need to visit an orthodontist to get typical metal braces. However, there are a few more interesting options out there 1. Clear teeth aligners These are clear, high-tech plastic or acrylic type material liners that fit over your teeth. These are very popular because they are less expensive than regular prescribed braces and are easier to wear. Plus, unlike traditional braces, these clear aligners are removed when eating, brushing, and flossing teeth. There are a variety of companies to choose from that provide this teeth straightening option. One provider, Smile Direct Club, offers their customers made to order invisible aligners that boast of a very smooth, easy to wear, BPA-free plastic construction.

Most parents want to feed their kids nutritious foods. Most companies want to sell parents food for their children regardless of actual nutritional values. Many times these companies will use tricks to make you feel their products are healthier than they actually are. Lactose free organic milk sounds pretty healthy doesn’t it? However, the nutritional value of any food or drink needs close consideration before feeding it to growing children. While there genuinely are kids snacks that are healthy. Here is a list of foods that pretend to be healthy but actually aren’t: 1. Fruit on the bottom yogurt Fruit on the bottom yogurt sounds healthy, but fruit on the bottom is a sneaky way of saying I have a ton of added sugar. The halo of the health benefits of fruit help sell this product, but if you want to add fruit to yogurt you are better off adding some fresh fruit to plain yogurt. If plain yogurt is too puckery for your kid’s tastes you can add some honey or maple syrup. Whatever you add will still probably be less than what that fruit bottom yogurt contains. 2. Sweetened applesauce Sweetened applesauce gets that health halo from the added fruit again, but the added sweetener makes this anything but a healthy snack.

Health experts (and moms) agree that breakfast is the most important meal of the day! However, what you choose to eat to begin your day also makes a big difference in your mood and energy levels. Consuming healthy and energizing breakfast options is essential to set you up for a productive, focused, and successful day. Here are some healthy ideas to boost your energy until lunchtime: 1. Chia breakfast pudding Chia seeds are a superfood as they are packed with protein and antioxidants that are needed to keep energy levels high. Use dairy-free milk, like almond milk, that has added vitamins and minerals to ensure a healthy, protein and vitamin-packed breakfast to keep you running throughout your day 2. Oatmeal High in fiber, oatmeal is a great breakfast food as it helps you stay full until lunchtime. This will increase productivity and keep your energy levels high throughout your morning. Try mixing in fresh berries or bananas to get a healthy addition of fruit and added antioxidants 3. Almond butter on whole grain toast Almond butter is a great source of fiber and protein that helps to ward off morning hunger. Adding it on toast is a simple, yet healthy breakfast.

Eczema is an inflammatory skin condition and a type of atopic dermatitis that causes skin to become itchy, rough, and inflamed. Eczema is not contagious, and many patients develop symptoms in early childhood and eventually outgrow the condition. Others, however, may need to manage the condition throughout their adult years. Triggers for eczema differ between patients but often include foods (i.e., dairy and nuts), environmental factors (i.e., weather and pollen), and certain soaps and fragrances. This article will introduce you to the most common soap ingredients that tend to trigger eczema flare ups: 1. Soaps with strong aromas Strong fragrances of any sort may not be a good idea if you have eczema. If soaps with light fragrances such as botanical oils can cause irritation, imagine the effects of strong fragrance soaps. Your skin might smell good, but it definitely will not feel good. The National Eczema Association (NEA) reported that 8% to 15% of individuals suffering from eczema have sensitivities to a fragrance. This makes these kinds of soaps a number one trigger. 2. Soaps containing cocamidopropyl betaine  Cocamidopropyl betaine is derived from coconut oil and is present in many soaps, shampoos, and cleansers. It is very effective in cleansing and getting rid of dirt and oil.

Even though we’re not able to prevent aging, we can do things to slow down the aging process and reverse some of the effects of aging. Thanks to modern advances in the skincare and beauty industry, consumers have access to more anti-aging products than ever before. One of those are anti-wrinkle creams.  Read on for a deeper look at several benefits you stand to gain by using anti-wrinkle creams 1. Tightens skin Anti-aging creams can help to reduce the appearance of wrinkles as well as tighten the skin. One of the reasons why they are able to do this is because they encourage collagen production. Collagen can be best described as being a protein that’s responsible for the elasticity of our skin. As we get older, our body produces less and less collagen. As a result of this our skin gradually loses its elasticity 2. Hydrates Another benefit you stand to gain is the fact that a good wrinkle cream can help to hydrate the skin. While skin hydration may not seem important at first glance, hydration plays a key role in your skin’s ability to remain firm. The outermost layer of our skin needs moisture so that it can rid itself of toxins and provide nutrients to our skin’s cells.