health and beauty

Although you don’t need to do much at your dental checkups, having thoughtful questions can help you get the most out of your appointment.

mediaimage
True, dentists do most of the work during a dental checkup. They’re the ones who assess your mouth, clean your teeth, and offer diagnoses. As a patient, though, you still have a role to play in the visit. In particular, you should ask relevant questions about your oral health. Doing so ensures you’ll benefit from your appointment. Luckily, your local practice knows a few queries you could mention. Here are four good questions to ask your dentist at a dental checkup.

What Does This Pain or Sensation Mean?
Even if your grin has aches or pains, it’s easy to hold your tongue at a dental visit. You may fear the issue is trivial and a waste of the dentist’s time. However, you should ask about such things at a checkup.

Remember: Dentists aren’t perfect. In some cases, they can overlook or misinterpret things. Therefore, bring up any sensitivity or odd sensations your teeth feel. Telling your dentist will help them grasp how your grin is doing. From there, they can outline a proper treatment plan.

Why Should I Have Dental X-Rays Taken?
At a dental checkup, you may think an oral exam is detailed enough. Surely there’s no need for something like dental X-rays? Well, you ought to ask that question if it weighs on you.

You see, a dentist will take full dental X-rays early into the doctor-patient relationship. These images let them monitor your teeth for changes between visits. In particular, the X-rays can show whether your pearly whites suffer any issues below their surface. (Such problems might include cavities, infections, etc.) So, most adult patients need bitewing X-rays every year and a full mouth series every 4-5 years.

How Do I Prevent Tooth Decay, Gum Disease, etc.?
Of course, a dentist’s work can help you avoid many oral issues. Still, you may wonder what you can do to prevent dental problems. In that case, feel free to ask.

Usually, the best way to ensure a healthy mouth is to follow good oral habits. Key examples of these are twice-daily brushing and once-daily flossing. With these practices, you’ll reduce plaque buildup on your smile. The result would be a lower risk of cavities, gum disease, and worse. This risk can be further lessened with a nutritionally balanced diet.

How Often Should I Get Dental Checkups?
Even if you attend dental checkups, you may not know how often to do so. When you’re in that situation, mention the question to your dentist.

Generally, the rule for adult patients is to visit a dentist twice a year. This number is enough to keep most peoples’ grins healthy. That said, every patient has their own unique smile needs. Depending on your oral health, you may need to visit more or less frequently. You should thus ask your dentist when you should attend your next visit.

Rather than stay silent, ask the above questions at your next dental checkup. You and your mouth will get better care that way!

Cortisol is a hormone produced by cholesterol and belongs to the glucocorticoid group. It is detached from the adrenal glands after a signal from the pituitary gland.
Cortisol is called a hormone of stress and this is by no means accidental – the main factor that stimulates its synthesis is a variety of stresses that can be of a different nature – consumption of harmful foods, hard workouts, traumas, strong emotions, malnutrition, inadequate sleep, illness, pain testing.

Cortisol benefits
When cortisol is in normal levels, it only brings benefits to the body. Its normal secretion is important for a number of important processes. It reduces the sensitivity to pain, increases the body’s resistance, improves memory and the ability to concentrate.

High levels of cortisol for a long period of time carry a number of negatives. Gradually decreases immunity, decreases the secretion of hormones testosterone and somatotropin, suppresses thyroid function, blood sugar imbalance, blood pressure increases, cognitive abilities decrease.

It constantly reduces muscle tissue, increases fat tissue, speeds up cell aging. High levels of cortisol cause ulcers, diabetes and stretch marks, bone density is reduced, which is a major contributor to osteoporosis.

Symptoms of high cortisol
Symptoms of tall cortisol are different. A person suffering from a similar problem starts experiencing different mood swings – anxiety, depression and increased irritability. This is due to the fact that cortisol affects the synthesis of dopamine and serotonin.

As it became clear, the synthesis of cortisol is highest early in the morning when one has to wake up and be fresh and energetic. People who have high cortisol in the morning feel tired, and at the same time they are bored.

Weight is gradually increasing because cortisol not only stimulates appetite but also increases the desire for a meal. High levels of the hormone cause [skin dehydration], which in turn leads to premature wrinkles and aging.

High cortisol caused by constant stress can cause a rise in blood pressure and thus increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
Investigation of cortisol
The cortisol study is assigned to determine its blood levels. Two blood samples are usually taken – one morning and one evening because the levels are different. Most commonly, such a study is designed to diagnose pituitary or adrenal gland problems.

Prior to the appointment, one must prepare. For that purpose, the day before it avoids physical activity, and half an hour before the sample itself lies. Taking some medications may change the results, so if you are taking a pill, you should tell your doctor about them.

The study should not be conducted after experiencing mental or physical stress during pregnancy or low blood sugar when taking certain medications.

Deviations from norms may be due to certain illnesses and problems. High levels may be due to kidney, liver, obesity, depression, hyperthyroidism. The most common cause is Cushing’s syndrome.

Low cortisol levels may be caused by bleeding in any internal organ or Addison’s disease.

Corrosion control
Avoiding persistently elevated levels of cortisol is an important prerequisite for good health. To prevent the negative consequences, each person should try to observe several basic rules. First of all, it is necessary to reduce stress as much as possible.

It is the main culprit for high cortisol and needs to be adjusted. Full sleep is important, too heavy workouts should be replaced with moderate. Drastic diets are avoided, and food should be quality and complete. Coffee and energy drinks should be reduced to avoid cigarette smoke.

Everyday stress caused by engagements, immobilization, taking caffeine, alcohol and cigarettes, lack of sleep and imbalance in nutrition should be replaced by exercise, practicing yoga and meditation, a complete change in lifestyle.

Foods and cortisol
As with many other hormones, nutrition is also one of the most important factors in maintaining normal levels of cortisol.

In order to maintain cortisol levels, especially in the case of active trained people, a proper diet should be developed which includes about 6 meals a day, divided into small portions. Strongly reduced calorie intake may increase cortisol levels by up to 40%.