6 Horrible Things That Happen To Your Body When You Don’t Drink Enough Water

Experts largely discuss over the amount of water you should drink per day, but no one actually knows the reason for such debates.

Many studies suggest that you should drink 8-9 glasses of water per day. But, what happens to your body if you do not drink enough water?

1. There is a great possibility that you will have to deal with a certain health condition. Drinking plenty of water will help you reduce the chances of getting kidney stones, gastrointestinal and urinary tract cancer, and heart attack.

2. The lack of water slows your metabolism. The function of the metabolism depends on the amount of water you drink, so your metabolism will work faster as you increase the water intake, which is one of the basic rules.

3. You will have to put more effort when doing your regular activities. Dehydration pressures and shrinks your brain, and it will need twice as much time to accomplish the tasks.

4. Increased appetite. People who drink 2 glasses of water before their meals eat 75-90 calories less. This routine will help you lose 5 pounds in three months.

5. You look older and your skin is wrinkled. Water hydrates the skin, fills in the fine lines and wrinkles, giving you a nice and bright skin tone.

6. Lack of water causes mood swings. Dehydrated people often feel weak and helpless, confused, angry and depressive, unlike people who drink plenty of water.

reference: Healthy Food House 

Brought to you by Nylaan Dental Team - Your Total Health is our goal. 

13 Awful Things That Happen If You Don't Brush And Floss Your Teeth

Can't ever find the time to take care of your teeth? About half of Americans don't floss daily, and one in five don't brush twice daily - so you're not alone.

But you may want to reconsider.
"Taking care of your teeth and gums isn't just about preventing cavities or bad breath," the American Dental Association warns. "The mouth is a gateway into your body's overall health."
It's almost impossible to prove a cause-effect relationship between dental neglect and various conditions because researchers would have to create a control group that ignored their teeth completely for a long time - something that would likely be harmful enough to be considered unethical. But there's mounting evidence that shows an association between poor dental hygiene and a wide variety of ills.
You should visit the dentist at least once a year, and the ADA recommends that you brush twice a day for two minutes and floss once a day. If you choose to ignore their advice, you'll get cavities, sure - but here are 13 other things you're at risk of, some more common than others.

1. Gum disease 

Most people don't realize this, but your gums are not supposed to bleed when you brush and floss. If yours do, you probably have gum disease - or are at least well on your way. Gingivitis, the milder form of gum disease, makes gums red, swollen, and quick-to-bleed - part of a response to the bacteria in the plaque that builds up between your teeth and gums. More than half of Americans have gingivitis.
If plaque spreads, the immune response heightens and can destroy tissues and bones in the mouth, creating pockets between the teeth that can become infected. (Other conditions unrelated to oral hygiene habits can also have these effects.) At this severe stage, gum disease is called periodontitis, and it can become chronic. Google "periodontitis," and you might become more vigilant about oral hygiene.
Source: American Academy of Periodontology; Clinical Calcium, 2012

2. Tooth loss

If you've never worried about losing your teeth, you should start. Adults 20 to 64 have lost an average of seven (permanent) teeth, and 10% of Americans between 50 and 64 have absolutely no teeth left. Both cavities and gum disease can end in tooth loss.
Source: National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research

3. Bad breath

Bad breath, clinically called halitosis, may affect as much as 65% of the population. A number of conditions can have halitosis as a symptom, but the number one by far is poor oral hygiene. Food particles that linger long after meals can start to stink, and the less you brush and floss, the more potentially malodorous bacteria build up in your mouth. The coating on your tongue is also a key contributor to bad breath, and some research has suggested that cleaning your tongue - along with regular brushing and flossing, of course - may help reign in this problem.
Source: Internal and Emergency Medicine, 2011; International Journal of Oral Science, 2012; Nursing Research, 2013

 

4. Dementia 

A large, long-term study of residents at a Laguna Hills retirement community suggests that there may be a link between poor dental health and dementia, although it's possible that people with better oral hygiene have better health habits in general. Researchers followed 5,468 people for 18 years and found that - among those who still had teeth - those "who reported not brushing their teeth daily had a 22% to 65% greater risk of dementia than those who brushed three times daily." In addition, a small study found that the brains of patients with Alzheimer's had more bacteria associated with gum disease than did those belonging to the cognitively healthy.

Source: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 2012; Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 2013

5. Pneumonia

When pathogens lurk in your mouth, you inhale them right into your lungs, where they can wreak all kinds of havoc. One major review pointed to this process as the reason for an association between poor oral hygiene and hospital-acquired pneumonia. Improving oral hygiene - through some methods beyond brushing and flossing in this case - reduced the incidence of such pneomonia by 40%. Another study of 315 patients in a Brazilian hospital found that those with periodontitis were almost three times as likely to have pneomonia.
Source: Annals of Periodontology, 2003; Journal of Periodontology, 2013; Gerondontology, 2013

6. Erectile dysfunction

A connection between dental disease and erectile dysfunction may seem remote, but preliminary research suggests that the conditions could be linked. They both have been tied to Vitamin D deficiency, smoking, and general inflammation, but the exact reason for the association is still a mystery. One study in rats found that periodontitis impaired penis function. While it's unclear whether the same direct effects would be found in humans, in a group of patients between 30 and 40, 53% of those with erectile dysfunction had severe periodontitis, while only 23% of those without ED did. "We think that it will be of benefit to consider periodontal disease as a causative clinical condition of ED in such patients," the authors wrote.
Source: The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2011; The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2012; Journal of Clinical Periodontology, 2012

7. Brain abscess

Often caused by bacterial infection, an abscess is a collection of pus, with swelling and inflammation around it. In the brain, it is fatal if left untreated. "A poor dental condition, notably destructive periodontal disease, can be a risk for life-threatening" disease in other parts of the body, noted a team of scientists who pinpointed a patient's extremely poor dental health as the likely cause of his life-threatening brain abscess. Brain abscesses are rare, and there has been no systematic study linking them to bad dental hygiene. But the authors noted at least 12 other case reports of brain abscess that pointed to poor dental hygiene as the probable cause.
Source: Journal of Clinical Periodontology, 2011

8. Diabetes 

Dentists have long known that diabetes is a risk factor for periodontitis, but now research is beginning to indicate that the relationship may be bidirectional. Extremely poor dental health may also be a risk factor for insulin resistance (often called "pre-diabetes") and diabetes, largely because it increases inflammation. Some studies have even indicated that in patients with both conditions, reigning in periodontitis may improve diabetes control.
Source: Annals of Periodontology, 1998; Diabetes Care, 2010; Diabetes & Metabolism Journal, 2012; Journal of Applied Oral Science, 2013

9. Kidney disease

About 3.7% of U.S. adults have chronic kidney disease, but certain people are more at risk. People with periodontal disease were 4.5 times more likely to have chronic kidney disease, making poor dental health a stronger risk factor than high cholesterol. Adults with no remaining teeth were also 11 times more likely to have chronic kidney disease. While dental conditions are not the strongest risk factor - people older than 60 are 27 times more likely to have chronic kidney disease than younger people, for example - another study confirmed that it may be a significant risk for kidney disease, even after controlling for underlying health conditions that may contribute to both.
Source: American Journal of Kidney Disease, 2008; Journal of Periodontology, 2010

10. Heart disease?

Multiple studies have suggested that there may be a connection between gum disease and heart disease, both of which are associated with inflammation. "Adding oral health self-care... is prudent to improve patients' oral health and possibly reduce [coronary heart disease]," concluded one study. "Periodontal disease caused by pathogen bacteria... could represent one of several possible causal factors of heart disease," concluded another.
The authors of a 2008 review for the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force recommended that periodontal disease be considered a marker of risk for heart disease, independent of traditional risk factors - even though they noted a lack of evidence demonstrating a causal relationship.
But a scientific statement from the American Heart Association in 2012 urged caution: Periodontal disease and heart disease share many underlying risk factors; there's no reason to think that dental problems directly cause heart disease; and treating periodontitis reduces inflammation but does nothing to alter the course of heart disease, the authors concluded.
Source: Journal of General Internal Medicine, 2008; Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension, 2010; General Dentistry, 2012; Circulation, 2012

 

11. Pregnancy complications

Gingivitis affects 60 to 75% of pregnant women, and it's especially important that expectant mothers tend to their teeth. When pregnant women have serious dental problems, their infants are more likely to develop cavities. Poor maternal oral health is also associated with low birth weight and preterm birth, although there's not enough evidence yet to know whether it's an independent risk factor. Researchers suspect that one of two mechanisms may be at play: Either overall inflammation is heightened, or oral bacteria that enter the bloodstream eventually colonize the placenta, causing an inflammatory response.
Source: Journal of Clinical Nursing, 2010; Ginekologia Polska, 2012; Dental Clinics of North America, 2013

12. Ulcers

In people with periodontitis, the plaque that forms in the pockets beneath the gum line can become a reservoir for Helicobacter pylori, the bacterium that is asymptomatic in most but is responsible for stomach ulcers when it flares up. Helicobacter pylori can be transmitted orally, and large epidemiological studies have found a positive association between periodontitis and a positive test for the bacterium, which is also a risk factor for stomach cancer. Different researchers have come to somewhat different conclusions, but the bacterial pockets that form during periodontitis unquestionably pose a risk for various kinds of bacterial growth.
Source: Gut, 1995; American Journal of Public Health, 2002; Clinical Microbiology Reviews, 2010

13. Cancer

"Recent evidence suggests that the extent and severity of periodontaldisease and tooth loss may be associated with an increased risk of malignantdisease," concluded one researcher, after reviewing previous studies suggesting an association between poor oral health and cancer. Gum disease and dental problems are also associated with HPV, which causes up to 80 percent of oral cancers. While smoking is a major risk factor for both gum disease and cancer, a study last year of 3,439 people identified poor oral health as an independent risk factor for HPV, even when smoking habits were accounted for. Other preliminary research has suggested that periodontitis may promote the growth of cancerous cells in the mouth.
Source: Dental Update, 2010; South Asian Journal of Cancer, 2012; Cancer Prevention Research, 2013

 Schedule your dental visit. 

10 Myths and Facts about Water

We all need water to live, but how much do we really know about it? From the truth about drinking eight glasses of water per day to refilling plastic bottles, here's what you should know about water benefits.

For something so seemingly simple and essential as drinking water, plenty of myths and misconceptions exist about possible water benefits and harms.

Learn how to separate the myths from the facts about drinking water.

1. Everyone needs to drink eight glasses of water a day. 

Myth. Though water is the easiest and most economical fluid to keep you hydrated, the latest Institute of Medicine recommendation is that women should strive for about two liters or eight glasses a day and men should aim for three liters or 12 glasses a day of any fluid, not just water. “No one can figure out where this ‘eight glasses of water’ came from, but I believe it came from the old RDA [recommended daily allowance] for water that matched water requirements to calorie requirements,” notes Georgia Chavent, MS, RD, director of the Nutrition and Dietetics Program at the University of New Haven in West Haven, Conn. “The new requirement from the Institute of Medicine is much more generous and includes recommendations for total beverage consumption, not just water.”

2. Drinking water flushes toxins from your body.

Fact. Though water doesn’t necessarily neutralize toxins, the kidneys do use water to get rid of certain waste products. If you don’t drink enough water, your kidneys don’t have the amount of fluid they need to do their job properly. “If the body does not have sufficient water, then metabolic wastes will not be removed as efficiently as they should,” explains Amy Hess-Fischl, RD, CDE, of the University of Chicago Kovler Diabetes Center. “In essence, the body would be holding in toxins instead of expelling them, as is required for proper health.”

3. Bottled water can cause tooth decay.

Myth. Bottled water in and of itself doesn’t cause the teeth to decay, but it usually doesn’t contain any fluoride, which is added to tap water to help prevent tooth decay. “Fluoride is an important element in the mineralization of bone and teeth,” says Constance Brown-Riggs, RD, CDE, author of The African American Guide To Living Well With Diabetes and a nutritionist and certified diabetes educator in New York City. “With the increased consumption of bottled water, which is not fluoridated, there has been an increase in dental caries [cavities].”  

4. Drinking water can help keep your skin moist.

Myth. While it used to be believed that staying properly hydrated led to youthful, vibrant skin, the reality is that the amount of water you drink probably has very little to do with what your skin looks like. “Unless the individual is severely dehydrated, drinking large quantities of water will not prevent dry skin,” Hess-Fischl says. “Basically, the moisture level of skin is not determined by internal factors. Instead, external factors such as skin cleansing, the environment, the number of oil glands, and the functioning of these oil-producing glands determine how dry the skin is or will become. The water that is consumed internally will not reach the epidermis [the top layer of the skin].”

5. Drinking water helps you lose weight.

Fact. Drinking water won’t specifically trigger weight loss, but it can aid in the process. Water replaces other calorie-laden beverages in the diet, causing you to reduce your overall number of calories. Plus, it can make you feel fuller, so you may eat less at each meal. Water, particularly cold water, may even play a role in increasing your metabolism. “A new study seems to indicate that drinking water actually speeds up weight loss,” says Tanya Zuckerbrot, MS, RD, owner of Tanya Zuckerbrot Nutrition, LLC, in New York City. “Researchers in Germany found that subjects of the study increased their metabolic rates [or the rate at which calories are burned] by 30 percent after drinking approximately 17 ounces of water.”

6. Yellow urine is a sign of dehydration.

Myth. It can be, but not all yellow urine is cause for alarm. “Dark yellow urine may be a sign of dehydration,” says Zuckerbrot. “The kidneys filter waste products and reabsorb water and other useful substances from the blood, so they control the volume and concentration of urine output. Dehydration leads to increased urine concentration, turning your urine dark yellow. Ideally your urine should be straw yellow in color.” Other factors, though, such as taking a multivitamin, can also lead to yellow urine.

7. If you’re thirsty, you are already dehydrated.

Myth. If you start to feel thirsty, then you are headed in the wrong direction and should grab a drink of water, but thirst doesn’t necessarily mean you’re dehydrated. “Thirst begins when the concentration of [substances in the] blood has risen by less than 2 percent, whereas most experts would define dehydration as beginning when that concentration has risen by at least 5 percent,” notes Hess-Fischl.

8. You need sports drinks, not water, to function at a high level in athletics.

Myth. Sports drinks may have fancier advertising campaigns, but water is really all you need to get the fluid necessary to participate in most athletic endeavors. “Adequate fluid, especially water, is most important for athletes of all ages as it is the single most important way the body has to transport nutrients and energy and remove heat during exercise,” says Chavent. “A sports or vitamin beverage may taste better, but is not necessary for hydration and is expensive.” Keep in mind though that people who run marathons or compete in highly strenuous activites may need to supplement their water intake with sports drinks to offset the salt they lose due to heavy sweating over long periods of time. This doesn’t apply to most people who are simply exercising to get fit at the gym, for instance.

9. It’s possible to drink too much water.

Fact. People with certain health conditions can put themselves at risk of complications if they drink too much water. “People with some heart conditions, high blood pressure, or swelling of the lower legs [edema] need to avoid excess water,” says Hess-Fischl. “If you have a history of kidney problems, especially if you have had a transplant, consult your doctor before increasing your fluid intake.” Hess-Fischl adds that you shouldn't drink too much water while eating, as it dilutes your stomach acid and can cause digestion problems.

10. You should not reuse plastic water bottles. 

Fact. Plastic water bottles can present a couple of risks to people who drink their contents and then fill them up time and again. “These bottles leach chemicals into your water after multiple uses,” Hess-Fischl explains. “The bottle, if not properly cleaned, may also harbor bacteria from your mouth.”

Water is essential to survival — use these facts to figure out if you need to increase your intake or feel reassured that you’re drinking enough.  

Reference:

By Wyatt Myers

Medically reviewed by Niya Jones MD, MPH

Links: Brian S. Nylaan, D.D.S.     

Five Healthy Habits and How to Start

We took five goals for better health and found easy ways to get started right away.

Have a healthy habit (or two) you’d like to adopt? Most of us do. The tough part is getting started. That’s why we’ve pulled together these simple but effective tips to help you jump-start five smart habits–eating breakfast, drinking more water, moving more, meditating, and getting a better night’s sleep. Choose one to get started. And when you’re ready, put them all together to give your everyday health an amazing boost.

Say Yes to Breakfast

The payoff: Eating breakfast fuels your body and brain for a truly good morning. It also helps jump-start your metabolism, which may be one reason that breakfast eaters tend to weigh less than those who skip it.

Your best start: Choose foods you’ll look forward to–there are many more choices beyond plain-old cereal.

Just Add Water

The payoff: Every cell in your body contains water. Staying well hydrated can prevent headaches, moodiness, loss of focus, and muscle fatigue.

Your best start: Carry a refillable bottle of water with you at all times–in your bag, in your car, on the job, and at the gym. If it’s handy, you’ll sip it. Also, eat more fruits and vegetables, which contain lots of water. (Did you know that 91 percent of the weight of broccoli and grapefruit comes from water?)

Boost Your Moves

The payoff: The more you move, the more calories you burn. An active lifestyle can also improve your mood, appearance, and overall health.

Your best start: Carry a pedometer and make it a game to increase the number of steps you take each day. Some easy boosts: 

 

 

     At work: Keep a small water glass that you have to refill often, instead of a large water bottle, on your desk. Use the stairs, not the elevator. Pace while on the phone.

     At home: Put things away in multiple small trips rather than one big haul. Walk on the treadmill while watching TV.

   Out and about: When picking up your kids, get out of the car and greet them with a hug instead of waiting in the car curbside. Park in a remote corner of parking lots when running errands.

 

Find Your Meditation Match

The payoff: Regular meditation can ease stress, boost memory, and even improve blood sugar levels.

Your best start: Find the activity that helps you stay in the moment and keeps your mind focused and clear. That may be watching a flickering candle flame or repeating a word or mantra. Some people enjoy a walk in the park or a hike in the woods. Still others find it works to focus on a small morsel, such as a raisin, strawberry, or nut, and notice its shape, size, color, texture, and scent. Whatever you choose, try to focus on your breathing and what you are sensing–seeing, hearing, feeling, tasting, and doing–right now. Let everything else go. 

Sleep Better Tonight

The payoff: Getting a good night’s rest boosts energy and improves immunity. It’s also been associated with heart health and a longer life span.

Your best start: Create a calming routine. At the end of the workday, write in a journal or create a to-do list for tomorrow, so you won’t worry you’ll forget something. A few hours before bed, avoid stressful activities such as bill paying and watching the news. As you prepare for bed, dim the lights and quiet any loud noises. Following the same pre-bedtime routine each night can help you drift off more easily.

Reference Panera.com

Video:
How to be healthy

Schedule your dental visit. 

 

10 Healthy Summer Frozen Drinks

Cool down on even the most sweltering days with a refreshing and light smoothie, shake, or other frosty quencher
 

Frozen Arnold Palmer

Serves: 1

Ingredients:
2 lemons, juiced
1 teaspoon sugar
1 cup unsweetened iced tea
5 ice cubes

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a blender until smooth.

Nutrition score per serving: 51 calories, 0g fat (0g saturated), 15g carbs, 1g protein, 0g fiber

Chai Iced Tea

Serves: 6 to 8

Ingredients:
8 black peppercorns
4 cloves
2 cinnamon sticks
2 star anise (found at specialty Chinese or Asian markets)
8 green cardamom pods
8 allspice berries or 1 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
6 cups water
4 bags black tea (can use decaf)
1 vanilla bean
1-inch piece ginger root, chopped
6 cups unsweetened almond milk
1/2 cup agave nectar

Directions: 
Grind peppercorns, cloves, cinnamon, star anise, cardamo, and allspice in a spice grinder or food processor. In a large pot, bring water to a boil and add tea bags and ground spice mixture. Lay vanilla bean flat, split, and scrape. Add seeds and ginger to the pot, turn heat to low, and let simmer 15 minutes. (To further enhance vanilla flavor, add split vanilla pod to pot.) Add almond milk and return to a boil. Add agave nectar. Stir thoroughly for 1 minute and remove from heat. Strain into a container and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Nutrition score per serving: 101 calories, 3 fat (0g saturated), 12g carbs, 6g protein, 1g fiber

 

Sugar-Free Vanilla Frappuccino

Serves: 1

Ingredients:
1/2 cup espresso, cooled
1/2 cup non-dairy vanilla creamer
3/4 cup ice
4 drops liquid stevia extract
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in blender until desired consistency is reached.

Nutrition score per serving: 123 calories, .5g fat (0g saturated), 0g protein, 40g carbs, 0g fiber

 

Frozen Virgin Piña Colada

Serves: 6

Ingredients:
1 cup unsweetened coconut milk
2 cups frozen banana puree
1/4 teaspoon coconut extract
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 can (13.5 ounces) crushed pineapple
1 cup ice

Directions: 
Combine all ingredients in a blender until smooth.

Nutrition score per serving: 260 calories, 14g fat (11g saturated), 13g carbs, 3g protein, 1g fiber

 

Tropical Lassi

Serves: 3

Ingredients:
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
1 cup chopped fresh or frozen mango
1 teaspoon lime zest
1/2 cup 0% plain yogurt
1 cup almond milk
1 tablespoon honey
12 raw almonds
1 large handful ice

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a blender for 1 minute or until smooth.

Nutrition score per serving: 177 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated), 31g carbs, 5g protein, 4g fiber

 

Cherry Chocolate Shake

Serves: 3

Ingredients:
1 cup pitted fresh or frozen cherries
1 cup coconut milk 
1/2 cup So Delicious Dairy-Free Coconut Milk Frozen Chocolate Dessert
2 pitted medjool dates
2 tablespoons cacao nibs
1 tablespoon chia seeds
4 to 5 ice cubes

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a blender until smooth.

Nutrition score per serving: 208 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated), 33g carbs, 4g protein, 10g fiber

Mango Agua Fresca

Serves: 2

Ingredients:
1 mango, peeled, pitted, and cut into chunks
1 1/2 cups cold water
1/2 teaspoon fresh lime juice
1/2 teaspoon agave nectar or honey
1 lime wedge, for garnish
Mint leaves, for garnish

Directions:
In a blender, combine mango and water until smooth. Pour through a strainer into ice-filled glasses. Stir in lime juice and agave, and garnish with lime and mint.

Nutrition score per serving: 70 calories, 0g fat (0g saturated), 19g carbs, 1g protein, 2g fiber

Blended Iced Mocha

Serves: 1

Ingredients:
1 cup coffee, chilled
1/2 cup low-fat milk
3 ice cubes
1 teaspoon cocoa powder

Directions: 
Combine all ingredients in a blender until smooth.

Nutrition score per serving: 58 calories, 1.5g fat (1g saturated), 7g carbs, 5g protein, 1g fiber

 

Frozen Lemonade

Serves: 6

Ingredients:
6 lemons, juiced
1 cup granulated sugar
4 cups cold water
1 cup ice

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a blender until smooth.

Nutrition score per serving: 139 calories, 0g fat (0g saturated), 34g carbs, 0g protein, 0 fiber

Orange Dream Smoothie

Serves: 2

Ingredients: 
2 scoops low-fat frozen vanilla yogurt
2 scoops orange sherbet ice cream
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 cup ice

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a blender until smooth.

Nutrition score per serving: 178 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated), 28g carbs, 3g protein, 0g fiber

reference: Shape.com

Remember to maintain your health ~ brush and floss after you enjoy your frozen drink to remove all the sugar, sticky substances and berry seeds.

Most importantly do not let all the Summer fun get in the way of scheduling your dental evaluation.

 

7 Ways Your Body Gets Better With Age

Think you've got nothing to look forward to as you get older? Think again! Aging might actually improve your health in a number of unexpected ways.

As the years fly by, it's easy to focus on the less-than-desirable aspects of your aging physique. But did you know that, in some ways, your body actually gets better with age? In fact, doctors and researchers are discovering that the natural aging process has certifiable health benefits, ranging from less sensitive teeth to longer-lasting orgasms. The changes aren't dramatic and they certainly won't turn back the hands of time, but even small physiological improvements can make a big difference when it comes to feeling younger and enjoying life more. 

Here are seven real benefits you can look forward to as you grow older.

1.               Decreased Tooth Sensitivity 

If you've always had painfully sensitive teeth, they'll become less so as you age. That's because the surface between the enamel and nerves lays down more dentin (the tooth's inner hard tissue) as teeth age, resulting in extra insulation and a diminished pain response. This may make dental procedures less painful, too. "Many older people feel less pain than younger patients — to the point where they may not need anesthesia for simple dental procedures," reports Claire Collins, D.M.D., associate professor of dentistry at the University of Colorado-Denver School of Dental Medicine. 

Healthy Advice To boost the comfort and health of your teeth, be meticulous about regular brushing and flossing. "Plaque from food particles can dissolve the teeth's enamel, which will expose dentin and nerves, increasing sensitivity and pain," says Collins. So stay on top of your daily dental regimen to help prevent decay. 

2.               Milder Allergies 
Plagued by allergies all your life? They'll be less bothersome as you get older. "After age 50, the body reacts with less vehemence to hay fever and other seasonal allergies, perhaps because older bodies produce less of the allergic antibody IgE," says allergist Michael Welch, M.D., co-director of the Allergy and Asthma Medical Group and Research Center in San Diego and professor of medicine at the University of California-San Diego. Many food allergies diminish, too. However, severe sensitivities to tree nuts and peanuts may not go away. For unknown reasons, these food allergies tend to be life-long, says Welch. 

Healthy Advice You may find that you're able to get by without antihistamines and other allergy medications during allergy season. But talk with your doctor before you stop taking medications — especially if you have asthma because allergies can trigger asthmatic episodes. 

3.               Fewer Colds and Other Viruses 

You're less likely to get sick with colds and other minor viral infections after midlife. The reason: Each time your body is exposed to a virus, it develops antibodies that make you immune to that virus in the future. This means that more you age, the more likely it is that you'll be immune to many — but not all — cold viruses. There are more than 200 different viruses that cause colds. "But by the time you reach your 60s or 70s with a lifetime of colds behind you, you've developed immunity to many of the circulating cold viruses," says Jack Gwaltney, M.D., an infectious disease specialist at the University of Virginia School of Medicine in Charlottesville. Unfortunately, this increased immunity doesn't apply to the flu virus, as this bug mutates every year. 

Healthy Advice Get a flu shot, and wash up frequently. Hand-washing is a top-notch flu-and-cold preventer. To boost your immunity, get plenty of sleep, eat lots of fruits and veggies, and actively manage your stress, a known immunity-sapper. 

4.               Low-Maintenance Skin 
Say goodbye to problems with oily skin. After age 50, the skin's oil secretions slow down in both men and women. "The shiny look that many people hate will start to improve," says Audrey Kunin, M.D., a dermatologist in Kansas City and founder of dermadoctor.com. Thinking about going under the knife? Cosmetic surgery scars can be hidden more easily when you're older because mature skin is less likely to spring back and show a separation than young, elastic skin. And you can shave less often and can stop using deodorant. "Due to hormonal changes in the later years, the growth of facial and body hair slows, and sweat glands disappear," Kunin adds. 

Healthy Advice Although you'll smell better, less sweating means you're at higher risk of overheating and heat stroke, so be sure to drink plenty of water during hot weather. Dr. Kunin recommends applying a water-based moisturizer after your shower or bath because tap water can strip the skin of oil and moisture. 

5.               A Fitter Brain 

Some memory functions, such as vocabulary and long-term memory, continually sharpen if you stay mentally active. "Memory can be trained just like muscles," says Gary Small, M.D., author of "The Memory Bible" and director of the University of California-Los Angeles Center on Aging. "If you make the most of your memory and use it regularly, that portion of your brain can actually get better as you get older." In fact, research shows that memory skills can be honed well into old age. 

Healthy Advice To sharpen your memory, do mind-challenging activities. "Try to do a crossword puzzle every day to help build and maintain vocabulary and memory," recommends Small. Learning a new language also can help. Research suggests that certain foods can help age-proof the brain. A 2008 British study found that eating blueberries can enhance memory and learning, and drinking apple juice may improve memory by preventing the decline of an important neurotransmitter, according to a study published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. 

6.               A Youthful Heart 

Surprisingly, the heart hardly ages at all and actually can strengthen — as long as you keep your cholesterol and blood pressure in check. "Although there is some narrowing of arteries with aging, the pumping ability of the heart stays strong throughout life in healthy people," says Nieca Goldberg, M.D., a spokeswoman for the American Heart Association and medical director of New York University's Women's Heart Program. Genes do play a part in the way your heart ages, but the healthier your lifestyle, the more likely your heart will stay strong well into your 80s and 90s. "Exercise, diet, and not smoking are more important than genetics in maintaining the health of the heart after age 60," says Goldberg. 

Healthy Advice Artery wellness is crucial for preventing a heart attack. Get your blood pressure and cholesterol checked annually, eat a low-fat diet, maintain a healthy weight, and exercise regularly to help age-proof your arteries. 

7.               Heightened Sexuality 
A shift in the hormonal balance beginning in the early 50s can increase a woman's libido and her ability to have orgasms, says Jessica Fields, Ph.D., a research associate at the Center for Research on Gender and Sexuality in San Francisco. Many women also report an increase in the frequency and intensity of orgasms as they grow older. In fact, some research suggests that the frequency of orgasms increases for women in each decade, up until the octogenarian years (age 80 – 89). But men have reason to celebrate, too. After age 60, the ligaments that attach the penis to the body begin to relax. Assuming a man stays slim, this makes the flaccid penis look longer with each 60-plus decade. 

Healthy Advice Don't assume that getting older means that sex needs to fall by the wayside. "Many 60-plus people enjoy an active sex life that is often better than what they enjoyed in early adulthood," says Fields. Plus, some research suggests that frequent sex helps boost the immune system. It also may keep you looking young. A Scottish study of 3,500 people found that men and women who made love at least three times a week looked 10 years younger than their less lusty counterparts.

The Bottom Line Another birthday could be reason to rejoice. As long as you practice good health habits and get regular medical checkups, your body can continue to improve in many ways. Like fine wine, you're not getting older, you're getting better!

Reference:  Everyday Health 

 

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