W e l l s F a r g o I n s u r a n c e S e r v i c e s o f K e n t u c k y , I n c .
Eye on Wellness
National Dental Hygiene Month
October is National Dental Hygiene Month, a time to stress the importance of practicing
daily dental hygiene to avoid cavities, tooth decay and gum disease. The truth is early gum
disease is silent and painless. If left untreated, early gum disease can lead to bad breath,
tooth loss and other health problems.
Daily basic dental care is crucial in order to keep your teeth their healthiest. Good dental
hygiene from an early age is one of the most beneficial lessons parents can teach their children:
the importance of brushing and flossing teeth, as well as twice-a-year checkups. Persistent
daily care is the most important preventive measure you can take against fighting
the threat of your beloved dentist's tools.
Routine Care
To clean your teeth properly, brush them at least twice a day — plus preferably after
each meal and snack — and floss daily.
Use a soft-bristled brush — it's gentler on the gums.
Place your brush at an angle against your teeth and use short back-and-forth motions to
clean your teeth. Also clean the inside and chewing surfaces of the teeth and your
tongue.
Replace your brush every three months.
When you floss, gently ease the floss between your teeth. Then pull the ends of the floss
against the front and back surface of a tooth so that the floss forms a "C" as it wraps
around the tooth. Gently pull the floss from the gum line to the top of the tooth to scrape
off plaque. Remember to floss the backs of your teeth and to expose fresh floss between
your fingers as you progress through your teeth.
Mary Whitmore
Sources: National Institutes of Health, Healthwise, *Mayo Clinic
National Dental Hygiene Month
Eye on Wellness
Page 1 of 2
Volume 1, Issue 6 October 2008
W e l l s F a r g o I n s u r a n c e S e r v i c e s o f K e n t u c k y , I n c .
Information obtained from Mayo Clinic Health Solutions
What is Bruxism?
Bruxism is the grinding of teeth usually accompanied by the clenching of the jaw. In most
people it is not serious enough to be a health problem, but about 25% of people suffer symptoms
from “bruxing”. Bruxism can cause wear and tear teeth—leading to tooth loss and gum
recession, headaches and other problems.
Symptoms of Bruxism include teeth that are worn down, flattened or chipped, worn tooth
enamel, increase tooth sensitivity, jaw pain or tightness in jaw muscles, earache, headache,
chronic facial pain and/or chewed tissue on the inside of your cheek.
See your dentist if you have symptoms of Bruxism. They will be able to detect the characteristic
wear on teeth and provide options for management.
Avoid the Flu this Season!
Eye on Wellness
Flu shot recommendations have changed this year. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention
are urging parents to get all their children vaccinated. It’s estimated that each year in the U.S.
more than 20,000 children under age 5 are hospitalized due to flu. And sadly, last flu season, 72 children
died due to flu-related causes.
To protect their health, all children –aged 6 months up to their 19th birthday– should be vaccinated
against the flu each year. But they aren’t the only ones.
Who else needs a flu shot?:
Pregnant women
People 50 years of age and older
People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu
And, anyone who wants to reduce their chances of getting the flu
Other good health habits to prevent the flu:
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick.
Don’t cough or sneeze into your hands. Use a tissue – then throw it away and wash your hands. If
you don’t have a tissue cough into your sleeve/elbow.
Wash your hands often.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something
that is contaminated with germs and then touches their eyes, nose, or mouth.
Learn more: www.cdc.gov/flu
Morning Glory Muffins
1 cup all-purpose (plain) flour 1 cup whole-wheat flour
3/4 cup sugar 2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup egg substitute 1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups chopped apples (unpeeled) 1/2 cup raisins
3/4 cup grated carrots 2 tablespoons chopped pecans
Preheat oven to 350 and line a muffin pan with paper or foil liners. In large bowl, combine flours, sugar,
baking soda, cinnamon and salt—whisk to blend evenly. In a separate bowl, add egg substitute, oil, applesauce
a& vanilla. Stir in apples, raisins & carrots. Add to flour mix and blend just until moist but still slightly
lumpy.
Spoon batter into cups-about 2/3 full. Sprinkle with chopped pecans and bake until springy to the touch,
about 35 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
Serving size = 1 muffin at 170 calories, 3 g protein, 25 g carbohydrate, 7 g total fat—1 g saturated/2 g
monosaturated, trace of cholesterol, 195 mg sodium, 2 g fiber, 140 mg potassium, 17 mg calcium.
W e l l s F a r g o I n s u r a n c e S e r v i c e s o f K e n t u c k y , I n c . Page 2 of 2
Information obtained from Mayo Clinic Health Solutions
