6 Natural Ways to Prevent a Cold

January 4, 2012 beth General Health

Colds are a problem this time of year, and most of us are lucky to only suffer from one or two each winter. Here are 6 easy ways to prevent the sniffles.

1.Sleep: Sleep regulates the release of the hormone cortisol, which stimulates cells that boost the immune system, A well-tuned immune system is crucial for defending against the cold virus.Getting at least 7 hours of sleep a night is a great way to avoid the common cold.

2. Exercise: Research indicates that moderate exercise — 30 to 90 minutes most days of the week — increases immune function and reduces your chances of catching a cold. Don’t use the fact you are not feeling well to avoid the gym. Instead use it as motivation to get your workout in and in return you may just recover a bit faster!

3. A hot — and cold — shower: Temperature fluctuations jump-start your immune system. At the end of a shower, stand under the hottest stream you can take for 30 seconds, then turn the temperature to cold for 10 seconds. Repeat three times, finishing with cold.

4. Oysters: Oysters contain more of the mineral zinc than any other food. Zinc has been proven to support and enhance the immune system. Eating just a single oyster will give you a whopping 13 milligrams of zinc! Not a fan of oysters? Work other zinc filled options into your diet. Certain breakfast cereals, baked beans, or pumpkin seeds can be great options.

5. Vitamin D: This great vitamin is a MUST for the winter, and great for your immune system.

6. Nasal Rinse: Neti pots and irrigators cleanse the nasal passages with a saltwater solution. Rinses help sweep viruses, bacteria, and irritants from your respiratory tract.

Original article found on RealSimple.com

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Bad Breath Causes Discussed by Denver’s Dr. Radz

December 2, 2011 admin Archives, Bad Breath, gum disease

Bad breath (halitosis) is one of the least attractive oral health problems and can lead to embarrassment as well as be a sign of additional health problems. In fact, a large part of the reason people have bad breath is because they also suffer from gum disease. Unfortunately you can’t cure bad breath with gum, mints or mouth wash alone, more aggressive treatments must be sought out to rid your mouth of foul scents.

Bad breath is caused when the waste produced by bacteria in the mouth comes in contact with the air. Bad breath from gum disease is caused when the bacterial plaque that forms around the teeth is left to grow and contribute to bad scents. Most often bad breath is seen in people who exhibit the following:

  • Poor dental hygiene practices such as inconsistent brushing and flossing
  • People who find dental hygiene difficult such as children, the elderly, and the disabled
  • People who smoke
  • People who take certain medications that inhibit saliva flow or produce dry mouth
  • People with certain medical conditions- Dr. Radz can help you determine if your condition is causing bad breath
  • Poor diet can contribute to bad breath with foods such as diet soda, onions, spices, garlic, and coffee
  • People who use oral appliances such as braces or dentures that can accumulate bacteria and are difficult to clean

Bad Breath Solutions

First and foremost proper dental hygiene will be the foundation to any bad breath problem. This includes brushing at least twice a day, flossing once a day, the use of an antiseptic mouthwash, and a tongue scraper. Combined these processes will work to effectively remove bacterial build-up and the associated scents.

If the above conservative treatments are ineffective at curing your bad breath then Dr. Radz can help by implementing a more professional breath kit that works to destroy odor producing compounds. To learn more about bad breath treatment or to schedule an appointment contact us today.

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Food and Mood – 6 Ways Your Diet Affects How You Feel

October 11, 2011 beth General Health

You are what you eat? Maybe not, but you do feel what you eat. Research suggests that certain foods affect mood—for better or worse. Dietary changes can trigger chemical and physiological changes within the brain that alter our behavior and emotions. “Most people understand the link between what they eat and their physical health,” says registered dietitian Elizabeth Somer, author of the 2010 book Eat Your Way to Happiness. “But the link between what you eat and your mood, your energy, how you sleep, and how well you think is much more immediate. What you eat or don’t eat for breakfast will have at least a subtle effect by mid-afternoon, and what you’re eating all day will have a huge impact today and down the road.”

1. You don’t eat regularly. Food is fuel; skip a meal and you’ll feel tired and cranky.

2. You skimp on carbs. Carbohydrates have long been demonized, but your body needs carbs to produce serotonin—a feel-good brain chemical that elevates mood, suppresses appetite, and has a calming effect.

3. You fall short on omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s—found in fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, and sardines—improve both memory and mood.

4. You neglect important nutrients. Getting too little iron can spell depression, fatigue, and inattention, research suggests. Iron-rich foods include red meat, egg yolks, dried fruit, beans, liver, and artichokes.

5. You eat too much fat. That bag of potato chips isn’t good for your waistline or your mood. Greasy choices—particularly those high in saturated fat—are linked to both depression and dementia.

6. You chug without thinking. What you drink affects your spirits as much as what you eat. In moderate amounts, caffeine can enhance physical and mental performance, but too much can spur anxiety, nervousness, and mood swings. Stick to one or two cups daily to dodge the negative effects.

Original article published on health.usnews.com – Click here to read the full article.

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Subtle Straightening with Six Month Smiles® and Invisalign®

July 23, 2011 admin Archives, Oral Health

invisalignSure, everyone wants straight, beautiful teeth, but no one wants to run around town with a mouth full of metal. It’s inescapable… braces invoke images of adolescence and bring back painful memories of awkward teenage years. Thankfully, Dr. Radz can help you achieve a straighter smile subtly using one of two methods. Invisalign® Clear Braces and Six Month Smiles® offer patients dramatic results, and both are virtually undetectable. » Read more..

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Protect Your Teeth and Gums to Protect Your Overall Health

June 27, 2011 admin gum disease, Oral Health, Preventive Dentistry
While it has long been known that the types of food we put into our mouths have a direct effect upon the health of our bodies, few people really consider how maintaining a healthy smile can lead to a healthier body. The results of these studies indicate that individuals can take steps to an overall healthier lifestyle by developing proper oral hygiene and periodontal care. Regular check-ups and cleanings with a dentist can play a large part in maintaining overall good health. A healthy smile can be essential to sustaining a healthy body.

Good oral heath is not only clean teeth and a white smile. It can be the difference between life and death.

It is estimated that 37,000 Americans are diagnosed with oral cancer each year; 8,000 will die from it. The death rate for oral cancer is higher than many other types, including Hodgkin’s lymphoma, skin and cervical cancer.

Tobacco use is the primary risk factor, with smokers six times more likely to develop oral cancer than nonsmokers. Heavy smokers who smoke for a long time are most at risk. Seventy-five percent of individuals over age 50 diagnosed with oral cancer are smokers.

Cigarettes, cigars and pipes are not the only cause of oral cancer. Users of dip, snuff or chewing tobacco are 50 times more likely to develop cancer between the lip or cheek and the lower jaw. Although smokeless tobacco has decreased the rate of lung cancer, it has increased the number of those diagnosed with oral cancer, periodontal disease and infection that may be linked to heart disease.

Most oral cancer begins on the floor of the mouth or the tongue. Symptoms include a sore in the mouth that will not heal, white or red patches in the mouth, bleeding in the mouth and loose teeth.

Oral heath is linked to an individual’s overall general health. If bacteria in the mouth gets out of control, it can lead to infection, gum disease or tooth decay. Gum disease may allow bacteria to enter the bloodstream and lead to endocarditis, heart disease or stroke.

The best way to prevent oral cancer is to stop using tobacco products in any form and to limit alcohol consumption. If necessary, seek professional help to make these lifestyle changes.

Good dental health includes a regular self-exam. At least once a month, examine the tongue, cheeks, gum and throat. If you see any changes in color or have any lesions that are not healing, consult a dentist.

Regular checkups are also an important part of good dental health because a dentist can detect the cancer before it has a chance to spread.

Check in with Dr. Radz, your Denver Dentist for regular checkups to help avoid oral cancers.
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Stop the Daily Grind with a Nightguard from Dr. Radz

June 21, 2011 admin Bruxism

jaw painIt’s no secret that a busy schedule can cause stress. But if you’re responding to the stress in your life by grinding your teeth, you could be doing serious damage to your smile.

Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, can wreak havoc on the surface of your teeth and the muscles around your jaw, causing symptoms like sore jaw, headache, and earache. If left untreated, bruxism can even contribute to TMJ dysfunctional and other serious problems like insomnia, eating disorders, and depression.

But because many patients who suffer from bruxism grind their teeth unconsciously while they’re asleep at night, is relief actually possible?

It is with a nightguard from Dr. Radz.

» Read more..

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A More Natural-Looking Smile with Tooth-Colored Fillings from Dr. Radz

May 24, 2011 admin Cosmetic Dentistry, Tooth-Colored Fillings

fillings

Traditional fillings made of metal, also called amalgams, can help save your smile. But their dark gray color can also be embarrassing for patients.

That’s why Dr. Gary Radz is proud to offer tooth-colored fillings as a cosmetic alternative. Made of silicon dioxide, your tooth-colored fillings—also known as composite resins—can be made to match the exact shade of your teeth.

In fact, we’re confident that you tooth-colored fillings will so closely match the rest of your mouth that no one besides us will even know you have them.

But the benefits of composite resins don’t stop there.

» Read more..

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Dr. Radz is Making a Good Impression with iTero!

April 21, 2011 admin iTero

dental moldWhen you visit the dentist for a restorative dentistry procedure or replacement teeth, you’ll have impressions taken of your teeth.

Traditionally, impressions have been an uncomfortable procedure for patients. With all that gooey putty in your mouth, it’s easy to feel claustrophobic. And if you have a sensitive gag reflex-forget about it!

Our patient’s comfort is always a concern and we want appointments at our office to be stress-free. Technology is one way we are able to make dental treatments more pleasant, and thanks to iTero, taking impressions has never been easier. Now you can sit back and relax while we take high-resolution images of your teeth! With iTero, there’s no need for trays or putty. Instead, Dr. Radz will simply use a handheld wand to comfortably take a 3D image of your teeth in as little as three to five minutes. You can even watch our progress on a nearby monitor.

» Read more..

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Zoom! into Spring with a Whiter Smile

March 15, 2011 admin Teeth Whitening

springSpring is right around the corner. Is your smile ready? Coffee, tea, red wine, tobacco, and certain medications can stain teeth, leaving smiles less than lustrous. Now is the perfect time to unveil your smile’s hidden brilliance. How? With Zoom! Whitening from Dr. Gary Radz, the cosmetic dentist Downtown Denver trusts.

Dr. Radz knows his stuff. He’s a world-renowned general and cosmetic dentist, instructor, and speaker. He’s listed in 5280 Magazine as one of “Denver’s Best Dentists.” If you want whiter teeth, come see Dr. Radz. » Read more..

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Dr. Radz Completes Smiles with Dental Implants

February 18, 2011 admin Dental Implants

couple smilingHow do you feel about your smile? If you have missing teeth or a loose, painful denture, you’re probably not very happy with your smile. Dr. Gary Radz offers a solution: dental implants. This proven restorative dentistry alternative will change the way you look, the way you feel, and the way you live.

Downtown Denver residents, as well as people from across the country, trust Dr. Radz. He’s a problem solver. The doctor will give you his undivided attention and partner with you to achieve a strong, healthy, and stable smile. » Read more..

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