Tips to keep your smile healthy and happy

A smile is considered to be the best medicine to uplift your spirit.

When you smile, it releases endorphins, which can help you to feel happier and more positive. A smile can lift one’s mood and increase positive thinking. So, whenever you’re feeling a little blue, try smiling. It might make you feel better.

Brush before bed

We all know that a dentist will always recommend you brush your teeth twice a day. However, many of us still neglect to brush at night. Brushing before bed will get rid of the germs and plaque accumulated throughout the day.

Brush technique a must

It is important how you brush your teeth. In fact, the way you brush is important, because doing it wrong is like not brushing at all. Move your toothbrush in gentle, circular motions to remove plaque and take your time. Plaque hardens and leads to build-up, which can cause early gum disease.

If it is in your mouth, brush it

Plaque can build up anywhere in your mouth, including your tongue. Plaque on the tongue causes bad mouth odour and can lead to oral health issues. Every time you brush your teeth, gently brush your tongue as well.

Limit sugary and acidic foods

Sugar turns into acid in the mouth, which can then erode the enamel of your teeth and lead to cavities. Acidic fruits, teas and coffee can also wear down tooth enamel. You don’t need to avoid these foods, but it does not hurt to be mindful when you do.

See your dentist at least twice a year

Everyday habits are crucial to a beautiful smile and overall oral health. However, even if you are a bright star when it comes to floss, mouth rinse and brushing, you need to see a dentist on a regular basis. We recommend a minimum of two check- ups and cleanings per year. Dentists remove calculus and look for cavities, and they will be able to spot potential issues and offer solutions.

Source: www.healthline.com

 

The cold season has arrived and many have already been infected by flu. Seasonal influenza is characterised by a sudden onset of a fever, a cough (usually dry), headaches, muscle and joint pain, severe malaise (feeling unwell), a sore throat and a runny nose. The cough can be severe and can last two or more weeks. This week, Steelburger/ Lydenburg News shares 10 tips to stay healthy this flu season.

1. Get the flu shot. The vaccine protects against the virus and is widely available.
2.  Always carry a pen with you. This will limit touching germs wherever you are. You can even use it at an ATM to enter your Pin to avoid contracting the germs of every person who used it before you.
3. Treat allergies as soon as they flare up. Allergies cause the respiratory tract to be inflamed, which makes you a target for the flu. Keeping allergies at bay will strengthen your ability to fight germs.
4. Hopping into a hot shower when you get home will help shed the germs you collected during the day and keep you and your family healthier.
5. Prevention is simple. Wash your hands often with warm water and soap. Packaged wipes are a good plan B. Washing or wiping the germs away is the way to go.
6. Drink hot beverages, for example, green tea with lemon and honey. Breathing steam stimulates hair follicles in the nose and move out germs easier. Plus, lemon thins mucus and honey is antibacterial. Hot beverages also soothe an aching throat.
7. Stay hydrated and drink water constantly. Minimum recommended water intake is eight glasses a day. Water flushes out toxins. Studies show that people who drink less than three glasses of water are more likely to get the flu.
8. Rest is your most reliable defence. Our bodies need seven to eight hours of sleep to stimulate an immune response to fight the flu. So, rest is the secret to good health.
9. Break a sweat and keep your body moving. Exercising helps our bodies get rid of toxins and germs. Plus, getting that heart pumping strengthens the immune system.
10. When it comes to vitamins, think zinc. It boosts the immune system by increasing your production of white blood cells and natural killer cells, both of which fight viral infections.

Source: https: Stay Healthy

Altesaam 1 423 malariagevalle en twee sterftes is die afgelope vier weke by die Limpopo Departement van Gesondheid aangemeld. Limpopo se LUR vir gesondheid, dr. Phophi Ramathuba, het bevestig dat Steelpoort en Burgersfort ook in die rooi area val.

Verskeie gevalle is in hierdié twee dorpe behandel. “Hierdie getal is baie hoog in vergelyking met die 1 745 gevalle wat vir die hele 2023-boekjaar aangemeld is. Die noordelike en oostelike Laeveldgebiede is gewoonlik die hoofarea waar die malaria-epidemie voorkom. Dit bekommer ons dat dit uitgebrei het na die oostelike Mopani streek en Vembe,” het Ramathuba gesê.

Die Nasionale Instituut vir Oordraagbare Siektes (NIOS) versoek die inwoners van hierdie gebiede dat hulle vir malaria getoets moet word indien hulle in ’n malaria-risikogebied
woon en ernstige simptome het.

Simptome sluit in hoë koors, griepsimptome soos koue rillings, hoofen spierpyne, en moegheid. Om meer daadwerklike inligting rakende malaria te bekom, besoek die NIOS-webwerf by NICD