Did you know that good oral health (the health of your mouth, including your teeth and gums) is an important way to keep the rest of your body healthy? For example, cavities (tooth decay) are usually easy for a dentist to treat. But if the decay is left untreated, it can get worse, leading to an infection in the gums (also known as gum disease). From there, the infection could spread to other parts of the body and cause more problems. Gum disease is caused by plaque, a type of bacteria that sticks to yo...
February—American Heart Month—is an excellent time to learn about heart health for yourself and your family. That’s why we are publishing a three-part heart health blog series this month. Be sure to read the first blog, “What Is Heart Disease?” It explains common diseases and disorders of the heart, arteries, and veins, from heart attack to stroke and more. Our final blog in the series will focus on heart health tips for families. This blog, the second in the series, explains some of the risk factors fo...
You might want to quit smoking to set a good example for your children. You might want to save money. Or keep your home, clothes, car—and breath—smoke-free. There are many good reasons to “kick the habit.” The best reason of all? Better health for your entire body, not just your lungs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that you reduce your risk of developing several cancers when you quit smoking. These cancers include: acute myeloid leukemia (AML) bladder cervix colon and rectum eso...