10 Tips For Maintaining Mental and Emotional Health

Mental and emotional health are often challenging to preserve in our modern-day, busy and hectic lives.

To lessen the impact of stressful wear and tear, consider implementing some of these helpful strategies into your daily routine.

Some of these tips have been also been touched upon in other articles, however this only underlines their importance.

1. Maintain good physical health.     

This point is so basic it's often overlooked. Our physical health affects our emotional health much more than we realize. Make sure to eat well, exercise and get plenty of sleep.

As Virgil said: "The greatest wealth is health."

2. Learn to release anger and let go of grudges.

Vent if you have to. Shake it off. Walk it off. Harboring anger or ill feelings builds emotional toxicity, which ultimately affects your overall health.

"For every minute you are angry, you lose sixty seconds of happiness". Anonymous

3. Be aware.

Look for the hidden message in negative or difficult situations. Learn from them. Experiencing adversity is meant to alert you to something or teach you a new skill.

"Life deals you a lot of lessons, some people learn from them, some people don't." Brett Favre

4. Keep your brain active.

Don't let complacency or boredom set in. In order to feel alive and vibrant we need to keep our minds active by learning new things and challenging ourselves.

"If I had to live my life again I would have made a rule to read some poetry and listen to some music at least once a week; for perhaps the parts of my brain now atrophied could thus have been kept active through use." Charles Darwin

5. Stimulate your senses.

As well as keeping your mind active, enjoy beautiful art, listen to music that lifts your spirits or try a new gourmet dish. Our senses need to be reawakened every now and then too.

"Man has no Body distinct from his Soul; for that called Body is a portion of Soul discerned by the five Senses, the chief inlets of Soul in this age." William Blake

6. Have fun and don't take yourself too seriously.

Balance in life is important for maintaining emotional health. Too much emphasis on work causes stress as well as wear and tear on the body and mind. Take time off; go to the beach, the park or a movie to take your mind off your current quandaries. Chances are when you come back you will see things from a fresher, more productive perspective.

"I hope life isn't a big joke, because I don't get it." Jack Handey

7. 7. Maintain supportive relationships.

Maintain good relationships with friends and family for much needed feedback, a shoulder to lean on or a different perspective. Often we get so caught up in our own problems and misery we can't see the forest for the trees. Having an objective pair of eyes and ears can give you a whole new way of thinking.

"Someone to tell it to is one of the fundamental needs of human beings". Miles Franklin

8. Donate your old clothes, furniture or items you don't use anymore to your local Good Will, Salvation Army or charity of your choice.

It will make you feel good, first by helping someone out and secondly by cleaning out your closets and basements of 'stuff' you haven't put to use in a long time.

"For it is in the giving that we receive." St. Francis of Assisi

9. Take some yoga classes, learn to meditate or incorporate a relaxation technique into your routine.

Besides having fun and not taking yourself too seriously, it's a good idea to integrate another relaxation strategy into your routine for those times when life gets somewhat overwhelming. Having many methods to fall back on ensures emotional well-being.

"If a man insisted always on being serious, and never allowed himself a bit of fun or relaxation, he would go mad or become unstable without knowing it". Herodotus

10. Learn to savor and appreciate the moment.

How many times have we heard that life is too short? We get so caught up in the whirlwind that we forget to live in the present moment. And in those times we're not caught up in the whirlwind, we're worrying about the future. It's time to slow down and enjoy the now!

"Life is a memory except for the present moment that goes by so quickly you hardly catch it going." Tennessee Williams

Take good care of your mental and emotional health. It can determine the quality and enjoyment of how you experience your everyday life.

Reference: Essential life skills.net            

DENTAL VISITS MAY BE USEFUL FOR EARLY LIP CANCER DETECTION

Beautiful Smile, Teeth and Lips

Dentists may be able to spot some skin cancers of the face and neck areas when they are in the early treatable stages. Regular visits to your dentist could aid in the early detection of lip cancers, which are a type of oral cancer. Exposure to sunlight may increase the risk of lip cancer, which occurs most often on the lower lip. Avoiding the sun or using some type of sunscreen or colored lipstick on the lips may decrease the risk of lip cancer. Sun-induced skin cancers are the most common types of cancers in the United States, according to the National Cancer Institute, with more than one million new cases diagnosed each year.

In addition to exposure to the sun, other common risk factors for developing lip cancer as well as some other types of oral cancer are alcohol use, tobacco use, the human papilloma virus (HPV), male gender, and age over 40. Approximately 26,000 new oral cancers, including lip cancer, are estimated to occur annually in the United States. Of that total, between 10% and 15% are cancers of the lip.

Early lip cancers may have no symptoms. When symptoms do present themselves, the most common situation is a sore on the lip that will not heal. Most lip cancers develop on the lower lip and are squamous cell cancers. These are cancers caused by changes and abnormal growth of the flat, disc-like cells that line and cover the lip.

Lip cancer symptoms commonly involve only the lip itself. However, the cancers may involve other areas when they spread. When diagnosed early, lip cancer has an excellent prognosis and potentially can be cured by either surgery or radiation therapy. Later stages may also be treated with surgery or radiation or a combination of the two methods. Most lip cancers that develop into serious problems do so because medical assistance was not sought at an early stage in the development of the disease. Therefore regular visits to your family dentist should be maintained, usually at the time recommended by your dentist. Any type of suspicious sore or lesion that you notice should be presented to your dentist at the time of your visit.

Common Symptoms of Lip Cancer

According to the Oral Cancer Foundation common lip cancer symptoms include:

Bleeding lip area

Discolored or darkened area of the lip

Enlarged lymph nodes around the head or neck

Lip sore that does not heal

Lump in or under the lip

Numbness, tingling, or pain of the lip

Swelling in the jaw or mouth

Thickened area on the lip which may also be discolored

Left untreated, lip cancer can result in serious conditions. Seek prompt medical care if you have bleeding that does not stop, persistent or unusual symptoms, or trouble eating, drinking or swallowing.

Make an appointment with our dental office.

How "preventive care" pays you during tough times.

Most of us get through tough times by cutting back or delaying "unnecessary" expenses. However, in order to save your teeth, your health and your money make sure you are not postponing your dental care.

You can have serious dental problems without having pain. Dental issues do not go away by themselves. They will eventually turn into more complex, painful and costly problems.

"During tought economic times, we know that health and health care can suffer, especially for those individuals who lose their insurance coverage. We want to encourage utilization of services - like preventive care - that are highly effective and relatively inexpensive.", says Brian C. Quinn, PhD of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Do not allow limited or lack of dental insurance coverage stop you from making healthy decisions. Your best dental insurance is your daily home care, getting routine preventive exams and having regular professional dental cleaning performed.

Remember these exams are highly effective and relatively inexpensive. Preventive measures will save you a lot of money in the long run. No dental plan coves all dental costs and your coverage may not cover conditions that existed before your plan became effective. However, this does not mean your condition does not need to be treated.

Do not confuse what your dental plan will cover with  the dental services you need to have performed. Your dental coverage is determined by your insurance carrier; your dental care is determined by your dental professional here at Dr. Nylaan's office.

Trying to save a few dollars by skipping preventive examinations, professional cleanings, or necessary dental work is not a wise decision.

Routine preventive care is the smart solution for your dental health and overall health!

Another smart solution is enrolling in our Dental Health Investment Plan. Our commitment to you through this plan is that we will increase your monthly investment in yourself by 20%.

It’s vital to visit dentist during pregnancy

You have so much to think about during pregnancy, but don’t overlook your oral health, which can be affected by the hormonal changes you will experience during this time.

It is important to continue to see your dentist during pregnancy for oral exams and professional teeth cleaning. Be sure to tell your dentist you are pregnant and about any changes you have noticed in your oral health.   

For example, women are more likely to develop gingivitis during pregnancy. Gingivitis is an infection of the gums that can cause swelling and tenderness.

Your gums also may bleed a little when you brush or floss. Left untreated, gingivitis can affect the supporting tissues that hold your teeth in place. Your dentist may recommend more frequent cleanings to prevent gingivitis.

Sometimes, lumps appear along the gum line and between teeth. These swellings are harmless, but they bleed easily and have a red, raw-looking berry-like surface. Although these growths are sometimes called “pregnancy tumors,” they are not cancerous. They usually go away on their own after pregnancy, but they can be easily removed if they bother you.

Total health important    

Your oral health is an important part of your overall health, and untreated dental disease may be harmful to you and your baby.

Be sure to let your dentist know about any medications or supplements you are taking. Your dentist may need to use or prescribe medication as part of your treatment. Some medications are safe for limited use during pregnancy while others should not be used at all.

For example, if you develop an infection, your dentist might prescribe penicillin or amoxicillin. However, pregnant women should not be treated with tetracycline because it can stain the fetus’ developing teeth. Once the teeth come in, they make look gray or brown permanently as a result of these stains.

Talk to your dentist or physician about medications that are safe to use during pregnancy.

X-rays during pregnancy

Although X-rays often may be delayed until after your baby is born, your dentist may need to have an X-ray as part of your dental treatment. To minimize your exposure and that of the fetus to X-rays, your dentist will cover your abdomen with a protective apron and place a thyroid collar over your throat.

Your baby’s teeth

Your child’s baby teeth are important too. Children need strong, healthy teeth to chew their food, speak and have a goodlooking smile. Baby teeth also hold a space in the jaw for the adult teeth. If a baby tooth is lost too early, the teeth beside it may drift into the empty space. When it’s time for the adult teeth to come in , there may not be enough room.

Starting infants off with good oral care can help protect their teeth for decades to come. The American Dental Association recommends a dental visit for your child by the first birthday. Your child’s baby teeth are at risk for decay as soon as they first appear — which is usually around 6 months of age.

Tooth decay in infants and toddlers most often occurs in the upper front teeth. The good news is that decay is preventable. To reduce the risk of tooth decay, avoid frequent, prolonged exposure of the baby’s teeth in liquids that contain sugar, such as sweetened water and fruit juice.

Tooth decay can occur when the baby is put to bed with a bottle, or when a bottle is used as a pacifier for a fussy baby. The sugary liquids pool around the teeth while the child sleeps. Bacteria in the mouth use these sugars as food and produce acids that attack the teeth. After multiple attacks, the teeth can decay.

Infants should finish their bedtime and naptime bottles before going to bed.

Visit our website for more information about your baby's teeth. 

Brought to you by the 600 members of the West Michigan District Dental Society in Kent, Ottawa, Ionia, Montcalm and Mecosta counties. West Michigan District Dental Society dentists are also members of the Michigan Dental Society.