A set of perfectly healthy pearly whites can be a great asset for anybody, giving one a reason to smile. But there are times when one cannot help but settle for the next best thing - dentures.

While dentures can replace teeth lost due to periodontal disease, decay or injury, they cannot be as good as your natural teeth. While dentures may be valuable to keep your facial muscles from sagging and for other health reasons, they can also cause a good amount of pain and discomfort. Among the times when dentures can cause enough discomfort are during the adjustment phase (when the dentures are new) and after some years of using them (when they start to fit badly).

During the adjustment phase, you might find that your dentures have the tendency to slip as you talk and eat. At times, you might even develop painful sores in your mouth as a result of this adjustment period thing! Thankfully, you will find that after some time, you become more accustomed to your dentures and all goes perfectly well for several years.

However, the absence of natural teeth eventually causes the bony ridge of the gums to shrink due to lack of stimulation. Since the plastic dentures remain the same, you might find yourself in a painfully discomforting situation once again.

But why suffer from denture discomforts when you can avoid them? Here are some effective solutions that may help you prevent the problem from happening.

1. Try to keep your dentures clean. Keeping your dentures clean especially during the adjustment period is a must. During this time, it is very critical to keep the presence of bacteria at a bare minimum since they can delay the healing process. As you grow more accustomed to your new “chompers”, you can brush them at least twice a day. Using toothpaste or a special denture cleaner and clean water can be enough for this purpose. By the way, if you want to keep your dentures sparkling clean, you can also brush it with soap and water!

2. Don’t forget to brush your gums, too! Brushing the gums not only helps in the fight against plaque and bacteria. It also provides the needed stimulation to keep the tissues beneath the gums healthy.

3. Soft foods are the way to go. It is advisable to “baby” your mouth during the adjustment period. The gums are still undergoing a healing process and need time to adjust to the pressure exerted by the new dentures. Once your gums are properly healed, you can always go back to enjoy the foods you used to eat. Just avoid eating hard to chew food like apples and corn on the cob.

4. Take the sting out of the pain by taking pain relievers. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen, aspirin and ibuprofen can effectively take away the soreness caused by new dentures.

5. Ease soreness by taking some time off: In most cases, you can ease your gum’s soreness by taking your dentures out for about an hour or two. If you find that you have developed a red spot, don’t put your dentures in for a day. If that still doesn’t do the trick, go visit your dentist.

6. Salt water magic: Whether you are in the adjustment period or have worn your dentures for quite some time, you can always benefit from a warm saltwater mouth rinse. Not only does it help ward off those nasty bacteria, it also helps toughen the tissues in your gums! For best results, take out your dentures and rinse your mouth with saltwater mixture (1/2 teaspoon of salt for every 4 ounces of warm water) every 3 to 4 hours.

7. Always have a professional hand to take care of the adjustments. Never ever make adjustments on your dentures by yourself. You can probably do more harm than good and it may cost you more in the long run. Adjusting the dentures’ fit using a pocketknife or filling the spaces between the denture and the gum tissues with over-the-counter adhesives is a big no-no! Always seek your dentist’s help when you need to readjust your dentures’ fit.

8. Go denture-less when going to sleep. Like any part of the body, the gums also need to take a rest so don’t forget to take your dentures out before you hit the sheets!

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to

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What is an essential oil? Basically, a purified liquid taken from the different parts of plants that are quite beneficial to health and well being. Believe it or not, they are not oily feeling. Essential oils typically take 20 minutes to be absorbed through the skin however once they are the effects last usually for 6 or 7 hours.

Most are so potent they need to be diluted. Lavender is one oil that has many uses. If you have trouble sleeping, put a few drops in a warm bath. The combination of the lavender water and the wonderful aroma will have you sleeping like a baby. Lavender in a cool bath will revitalize and refresh you. It is also used for treating acne, eczema, insect bites, and burns. It has also been know to help with depression. Lavender does not have to be diluted and the benefits of this essential oil are many.

Chamomile is a great oil that can be used for dry skin, rashes, acne, and allergies among others. It is a pain reliever and muscle relaxant. Certain properties in chamomile will give the immune system a boost and get rid of bacteria. Chamomile should be diluted with almond oil. Almond oil is a carrier oil. This means it carries other oils to the skin. Chamomile can also be added to your shampoo to give your hair a silky, healthier look.

Geranium oil is a mild pain reliever, helps sores to heal, is a great oil for balancing skin that is too oily, and is helpful for menstrual cramps. Geranium oil can stop bleeding, help rid the body of cellulite, and helps with bruises, burns, and bites. Geranium oil, like the above mentioned, should also be diluted.

Jasmine Absolute is one of the most sought after and precious oils we use. It takes 8,000 hand picked blossoms to make one single gram of jasmine oil. This oil is sought after for it’s capacity of promoting an optimistic outlook and the aroma is said to be a romance enhancer. 10 or 15 drops added to almond oil will make a great massage oil.

Tea Tree Oil has a multitude of uses. It does not have to be diluted and can help heal athlete’s foot, rashes, burns, and warts. This oil is said to be good at killing and ridding the body of lice. Instead of the expensive treatments at your pharmacy, use this liquid to dissolve the bugs. It is also used as a natural insect repellent.

These are just a few of the essential oils that can have profound effects on you to rid you of unwanted ailments. If you believe that natural resources are the best at fixing whatever your problem is within limits, of course, then try essential oils. There are many more that will help you feel better, treat problems, rejuvenate, or relax you. Check into the wonderful properties of essential oils.

Read about other important and unique ideas for essential oils in the realm of personal hygiene at electricalbody.com/product/oils.htm electricalbody.com/product/oils.htm

electricalbody.com/product/oils.htm Pristine Tooth Oils

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As we enter mid-life, changes abound . But for women, it’s not only hot flashes and mood swings that can dominate. Indeed many gals discover that the most disconcerting change of all can be the change in they experience in their sex drive.

In short - it can all but disappear.

For some, replenishing those dwindling hormones -with Mother Nature or Father Pharmaceutical - can be a big help.

But what if hormones aren’t on your agenda? Not to worry - there are still things you can do!

Indeed, oftentimes small changes in areas of your life you might not even connect with sex - like nutrition, exercise, or even sleep - can make a huge difference in your ability to not only enjoy sex, but actually look forward to intimate encounters.

Here are five things from my book ” Your Perfectly Pampered Menopause” that you can try right now to get your libido off and running!

# 1: Take a Nap

Although this probably doesn’t sound either sexy or romantic, experts say that fatigue is the number one killer of great romance, not to mention terrific sex. Because night sweats and hot flashes may be keeping you awake at night, don’t be ashamed to steal away for a cozy nap any time you get the chance. If you arrange for a rendezvous’ with your partner upon waking, you may be surprised to discover how attuned you have become to what may have been “hidden” sexual desires.

# 2 : Eat Your Fruits and Vegetables

In addition to whatever ” aphrodisiac” foods you may have heard of, at mid-life doctors say one of the best sex boosters is a healthy diet. Studies show that when the basic requirements for good nutrition are met, hormones function better. And that means you are less likely to feel the “bumps” in your perimenopause road as easily or as often. Also try eating six small meals a day rather than three large ones. This can help keep blood sugar stable which not only increases your energy level, but also can improve your mood and your desires.

# 3 : Quit smoking

You know it’s bad for your heart and lungs - but did you know smoking can also put a damper on your sex life? In studies conducted on perimenopausal and menopausal women, doctors found that smoking as little as one pack a day had a greater ability to decrease sexual function than the hormonal changes of menopause! Smoking is also linked to a decrease in estrogen, which can impact sexual response and vaginal sensitivity. The good news: Just months after you stub that last butt, you’ll see an appreciable change in your health - including a upswing in your desire for sex!

# 4: Take Time To Relax
Whether it’s curling up with a great book, planting petunias in your garden, or taking a pottery class, take time to relax and watch the benefits flow in the bedroom! Indeed, studies show that stress can be the number one thief of sexual satisfaction, and, some experts say it can put a real damper on desire. The link involves an entire cascade of hormonal activity that is set in motion by your response to stress. Once it starts, it can impact a variety of physiological functions, not the least of which is mood - and desire. And, even if you have the desire to make love, being under stress can inhibit both your ability to become aroused and to reach orgasm. So, take a few deep breaths and learn to relax - and you might be surprised at how much better you feel about making love.

5: Buy New Shoes . . .
…or get a new hairdo, change your color, go for a make-over, get a facial, even lose a few pounds. Anything you can do to feel better about yourself IS going to make you feel better about relating to your partner, not just in the bedroom, but in ALL the rooms of your life! Certainly there are important physiological reasons why sex may not be on the top of your list during this time of your life. Sometimes, however, how we feel about ourselves, and even how we view the idea of aging itself, can greatly influence how we feel about having sex and even influence what we think about our own sexuality. Doing whatever you can to enhance your self image - in your own eyes- often translates into feeling better about your partner, your relationship, and ultimately your sexuality and your sensuality

Colette Bouchez is the author of Your Perfectly Pampered Menopause- Health, Beauty and Lifestyle Advice for the Best Years of Your Life and the director of YourMenopause.com/ YourMenopause.com.

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This is probably the most frightening and mysterious sleep disorder and I can speak from personal experience having suffered with this for many years.

Many sufferers are reluctant to talk about the condition as certain aspects of it can appear to be at first glance – of a supernatural nature. Sufferers experience many things during an ‘episode’ of sleep paralysis which can often be very unpleasant.

Basically, Sleep Paralysis is when you awaken usually during the night (although it can occur at any time) to find that your whole body is paralyzed. Other symptoms can include:

Increased heart rate

Whooshing sound in the ears

A feeling that you are not alone in the room

A presence usually malevolent, sitting on your chest or touching parts of your body sometimes in an inappropriate or invasive manner. The presence can often take the form of a haggard old woman and the condition is sometimes referred to as ‘Old Hag Syndrome’

Struggling to breathe

Voices or whispering in your ear

A feeling of floating or being ‘out of your body’

These are just some of the symptoms sufferers experience and it is no wonder that they are reluctant to talk about them. Sufferers have often been dismissed by such ignorant comments as: “You’re just dreaming” or “You’ve had a nightmare and just thought you were awake”.

This is clearly not the case and if anyone is reading this that suffers from sleep paralysis and doesn’t recognize what it is or if you think you are alone or having some kind of mental breakdown then I can assure you THERE IS NOTHING TO FEAR.

Sleep Paralysis is more common than people think and although there is no final explanation of what it actually is, it is widely recognized among the medical profession and we are closer to understanding the causes of it. Although the subject is far too complex to go into in this article there are many and various publications, websites on the subject.

FACT: The singer Sheryl Crowe is a long time sufferer of Sleep Paralysis.

Want to know more?
I am currently writing an e-book on the subject of Sleep Disorders and predominantly Sleep Paralysis/Old Hag Syndrome.
If you leave me your name and email address at the opening screen in the form provided I will contact you when the book is available.
Discover more about the realm of sleep at

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