Valentine’s Day often sneaks up on you. If you’re not sure what to make for the special occasion, we can help! Check out these recipes for a delicious and tooth-friendly Valentine’s Day dinner.
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Creating and maintaining good habits is an important skill for everyone, no matter their age. For young children, however, the formation of these good habits can impact the rest of their lives.
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*Updated January 2025
We often associate exercise with benefits like weight management, cardiovascular health, and improved mood. However, did you know that regular physical activity might also help protect your vision?
Maintaining an active lifestyle isn’t just beneficial for your body. It can positively impact your eye health too. Several studies have indicated that there’s a correlation between regular exercise and a reduced risk of certain eye conditions that may cause vision loss.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common cause of vision loss among older adults. While AMD doesn’t cause complete blindness, it may make it difficult to read, drive, and even see faces.
Now, researchers may have found a way for people to lower their risk of developing AMD or slow down its progression through exercise.
A study from The Scientific Journal of The Royal College of Ophthalmologists found that engaging in regular physical activity has been associated with a decreased risk of developing AMD. In the longitudinal study, researchers found that participants who engaged in an active lifestyle over 15 years reduced their risk of developing AMD by 70%.
While the reasons behind the association aren’t clear, the study suggests that “Physical inactivity has been associated with the development of precursors for AMD in the form of macular drusen and may facilitate the progression of vision loss and AMD severity through inflammation and endothelial dysfunction.”
Physical activity may not only safeguard against AMD. The same study found that moderate exercise may have a protective effect against glaucoma as well.
Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is a significant risk factor for glaucoma, and exercise has been shown to help regulate and reduce this pressure.
In a study from the Indian Journal Ophthalmology, published in the National Library of Medicine, researchers found that study participants had a reduction in intraocular pressure after aerobic exercise (AE) in both healthy and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) eyes.
The study goes on to suggest that “These results laid down some groundwork for the possibility of the potential use of AE as a beneficial lifestyle modification for IOP reduction in POAG patients.”
These findings are especially significant for people who aren’t benefiting from IOP reducing medications or surgeries.
Exercise promotes better blood circulation throughout the body, including the tiny blood vessels in the eyes. Adequate blood flow ensures that the eyes receive essential nutrients and oxygen, contributing to overall eye health. This improved circulation can potentially reduce the risk of conditions related to poor blood flow in the eyes, such as diabetic retinopathy.
While exercise can help to protect your vision, it’s equally important to get regular eye checkups. Comprehensive eye exams can detect potential issues early, allowing for timely intervention and treatment.
Prioritize your health, stay active, and don’t forget to schedule regular eye examinations to keep your vision sharp and clear for years to come.
If you want more ideas to protect your vision, read “The sun and our vision: Prevent eye damage from the sun.”
With jam-packed schedules and a constant to-do list, taking care of your teeth might seem like just one more thing to do. However, improving your oral health is simpler than you think.
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*Updated January 2025
Maintaining good dental health starts with the choices you make in your diet. While many foods are celebrated for their overall health benefits, some seemingly nutritious options can have a hidden downside when it comes to your teeth. Understanding how these choices impact your oral health is key to keeping your smile strong and vibrant.
Your dentist might wish you would think twice about these five health foods that, despite their positive reputation, could be causing more harm than good to your pearly whites.
If you find yourself eating these health foods consistently, you may want to consider swapping them out for more tooth-friendly options.
Dried fruit that’s not covered in sugar contains nutrients that are good for your overall health. However, if the dried fruit you’re consuming is covered in sugar, they aren’t friendly to your teeth.
Did you know 100 grams of sugar-coated (sometimes called candied) dried fruit contains a whopping 81 grams of sugar?
It’s no secret that sugar is harmful for your oral health, especially when it comes to the development of caries. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), “Sugars, specifically, are considered to be the most important drivers of caries development.”
Additionally, removing the water from these fruits makes them sticky. Sticky foods are hard to clear away from teeth and often stay on them longer than other foods. Because of this, acids that are produced from the bacteria that metabolize the particles have more time to eat away at the hard portions of your teeth.
If you consume dried fruit, make sure to rinse your mouth with water and floss to clean your teeth after you’re done.
Citrus fruits are similar to dried fruits in that they can benefit your body, but too much citrus can harm your teeth. Oranges and grapefruits provide vitamin C and other nutrients, but their acidic compounds damage teeth. Citrus fruits can erode tooth enamel, which can lead to tooth decay.
It may be hard to avoid these fruits altogether, but drinking water after consuming citrus can keep your dental health in check.
For most people, granola bars seem like the perfect quick snack. However, many types of granola bars are full of sugar, artificial sweeteners, and other highly processed ingredients like vegetable oils, preservatives, and artificial flavors.
When it comes to your oral health, the added sugar in this health food may cause cavities, tooth decay, and other problems. Additionally, some may contain sticky items such as dried fruit bits, which can get stuck in between your teeth and may be harder to remove quickly.
If you can’t live without granola bars, find ones that are low in sugar or use natural sweeteners such as figs or dates. Remember to rinse your mouth with plain water after!
Despite their popularity during activities, many sports drinks tend to have large amounts of sugar. In fact, consuming a sports drink is only slightly better than a regular soda in some cases.
Some of the biggest consumers of sports drinks are children and adolescents. A study from the Official Journal Of The American Academy Of Pediatrics found that while “daily consumption of sports drinks has decreased overall, sugar-sweetened sports drinks remain popular, with the majority of high school students drinking them at least weekly.”
It’s best to skip this drink and stick with water to rehydrate. Your teeth will thank you!
Like sports drinks, energy gels provide energy and carbohydrates, but the acid levels can cause tooth erosion and escalate the risk of dental health complications.
According to a study, despite athletes having good dental routines, energy gels and sports drinks have shown an “association between periodontal disease and impact on both daily activities and sports performance.” It can be challenging for competitive athletes to avoid energy gels, but they should be limited to maintain a healthy mouth.
It’s easy to be misled by these so-called health foods, but staying mindful is essential for protecting your oral health. Hidden sugars and acidic compounds in these foods can contribute to cavities and tooth decay, making it crucial to prioritize care for your teeth even when choosing seemingly nutritious options.
Even if you stay away from these foods, it’s still important to consistently brush, floss, and visit the dentist at least once a year to ensure your mouth is healthy.
If you suffer from bad breath, also called halitosis, you’re not alone. It’s estimated that 50% of people in the United States complain of having halitosis. Although bad breath isn’t always a serious medical problem, it can negatively impact your quality of life.
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Craving a sweet treat without as much guilt this holiday season? Try out these sugar-free sugar cookies!
Whether you’re following a sugar-free diet or simply looking for a healthier alternative to the traditional treat, these sugar-free sugar cookies are the perfect guilt-free indulgence for your oral and overall health.
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*Updated December 2024
Ready or not, winter has arrived, bringing harsh weather and chilly temperatures that can take a toll on your eye health. From the drying effects of indoor heating to the intense glare of sunlight on snow, your eyes face unique risks during this season.
Thankfully, with the right precautions, you can protect your eyes and avoid any winter-related discomfort. Here’s how to keep your eyes safe and healthy throughout the colder months.
Most people only think about wearing sunglasses in warm weather. However, they’re equally important in the winter. Snow is an excellent reflector with a strong ability to deflect UV radiation. According to The World Health Organization, “snow can reflect as much as 80% of UV radiation.” Too much exposure to UV rays in the winter can lead to cataracts, blindness, and even cancer, so it’s important to take preventive measures to protect your eyes if you have plans to be outside.
Decrease glare from the snow and limit UV exposure by wearing sunglasses, even when it’s cloudy. The American Optometric Association (AOA) recommends choosing sunglasses that “block out 100% of both UV-A and UV-B radiation” and “screen out 75 to 90% of visible light” for adequate protection.
If you find yourself in a situation without sunglasses, reach for a wide-brimmed hat or a scarf to wrap around your head to try and shade your eyes. Any protection is better than none!
Tears play a vital role in keeping our eyes moist and healthy. During the winter, cold temperatures and low humidity levels cause your eyes to dry up faster. Without moisture in your eyes, you may experience uncomfortable symptoms associated with dry eyes including gritty and/or burning sensations, redness, light sensitivity, or itchiness.
Artificial tear eye drops can help replenish lost moisture and protect your eyes. You can find these eye drops at most drugstores without a prescription. If you continue to experience symptoms of dry eyes after implementing moisturizing eye drops, reach out to your eye doctor.
Due to colder and drier conditions, people with contact lenses may experience drier and scratchier eyes as their lenses dry out faster. Dry lenses may also impact the wearer’s vision.
If you wear contacts, the AOA recommends keeping the air around you moist with humidifiers or using rewetting drops to keep the lenses from drying out too fast.
Winter months also present a higher risk of certain illnesses that can affect your eyes, including conjunctivitis, which is more commonly known as pink eye. The reason for the higher risk? Conjunctivitis is usually caused by viruses, such as the cold, flu, or COVID-19, that are more prevalent in the winter season coming into contact with your eyes.
To lower your risk, avoid high-contact places such as doorknobs, wash your hands frequently, and limit touching your eyes to keep germs out.
Winter may pose certain challenges when it comes to eye health, but your eyes and vision need to be protected all year round. With simple changes to your eye care routine, you can ensure that your eyes look and feel healthy no matter what the weather is like!
Delta Dental of Wisconsin can help you protect your eyes with DeltaVision® coverage. Interested in learning more? Visit our website.
As the year draws to a close, it’s the perfect time to reflect on your journeys, accomplishments, and areas where you can improve. While personal and professional goals tend to get much of the focus during end of year reflections, one aspect of your well-being that deserves special attention is your oral health.
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*Updated May 2025
Stress is something most of us encounter regularly, whether it’s due to work, family, or other life challenges. While stress can affect your mood and energy levels, did you know it can also take a toll on your oral health?
Many people are unaware that chronic stress may be linked to common dental issues, ranging from gum disease to teeth grinding. Explore the connection between stress and oral health and how you can reduce its impact on your smile.
According to the World Health Organization, “Stress can be defined as a state of worry or mental tension caused by a difficult situation. Stress is a natural human response that prompts us to address challenges and threats in our lives.”
Certain types of stress, such as the natural stress response, help our body prepare for a perceived threat by releasing hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones give you more energy by increasing your heart rate and blood pressure while also slowing nonessential functions that are not considered beneficial to the fight or flight response.
Why does this response happen? Millions of years ago, ancient humans faced threats such as predators that required a fast response from the body for survival. Today, modern humans may not deal with the same types of threats, but dealing with heavy workloads, caring for families, paying bills, and other day-to-day activities can still be perceived as threats by the body.
Normally, once a perceived threat is gone, hormone levels return to normal, and the body can return to an unstressed state. However, if someone is feeling constantly stressed, these hormones cannot return to normal levels. This inability to “turn off” the hormones can disrupt nearly all of the body’s functions, according to the Mayo Clinic.
The link between stress and poor oral health isn’t as widely studied as its impact on physical and mental well-being. However, research has identified several oral health issues associated with high stress levels, including:
Reducing stress not only benefits your overall well-being but can also improve your oral health.
Here are some effective strategies from the American Psychological Association to help manage stress and protect your teeth and gums:
Although stress is a normal part of life, it’s important to recognize how it may be affecting your oral health. By understanding the link between stress and dental issues, and taking steps to reduce your stress levels and staying consistent with brushing, flossing, and visiting your dentist regularly, even during stressful times, you can protect your smile and overall well-being.
Remember to consult your dentist if you notice any signs of stress-related oral health problems, and work together to develop a plan to keep your mouth healthy and pain-free.