Manohar Dental Care Vizag

Friday, January 4, 2019

manohardentalcare.com

Health Benefits

Cocoa is a powerful antioxidant associated with lots of health benefits, such as protecting the nerves from injury and inflammation. Cocoa, before it’s mixed in with sugar and other problematic ingredients, is indeed very healthy and positively affects the immune system, cardiovascular system, and skin — topically applied, it can protect you from harmful UV rays.

Cocoa is also mood boosting. You’ll feel good after eating chocolate. However, it’s also an energy-dense food. This means that even before turning it into a candy, individuals who eat too much cocoa are at risk of gaining weight and experiencing the associated health issues.

manohardentalcare.com

Present: How Chocolate Affects Our Health Today

Chocolate today is commonly used in food and drinks. However, it’s prepared much sweeter than how our ancestors mixed their chocolatey concoctions. Though there are a few health benefits associated with this sweet, it’s dangerous if overconsumed. 

manohardentalcare.com

Past: Humans and Their Love for Chocolate

Human’s chocolate obsession began long ago. Nearly 4,000 years ago, pre-Olmec tribes in Central America first harvested cacao seeds and began growing and farming cacao trees. These people used chocolate mainly as a drink ingredient, and instead of sweetening it, they mixed in chili powder and other strong spices.

More recently, the Aztecs and Mayans believed that chocolate was a god-ordained discovery and a divine gift to mankind. They used cacao seeds over the years to:

Heal: These early tribes used chocolate as a curative.
Get drunk: These groups quickly discovered that chocolate was great for mixing into fermented beverages.
Worship: The Olmecs used chocolate for religious purposes.
Trade: The Aztecs and Mayans used cacao seeds as currency.
Get in the mood: The Aztecs consumed chocolate both as an after-dinner treat and as an aphrodisiac.

Chocolate took its first step to being made how it’s enjoyed today when Europeans landed in the Americas. They sampled the native drinks and discovered that chocolate was more palatable for them when mixed with honey or sugar.

manohardentalcare.com

An In-Depth Look at Chocolate

Chocolate is a sweet treat that starts with roasted and ground cacao seeds. It’s then mixed with other ingredients, such as cocoa butter, milk, and sugar, to get the tasty product that we see on store shelves worldwide. But chocolate isn’t a modern invention, and it might not always be around. Take an in-depth look at chocolate to learn more about its past, effects on our health today, and what the future holds for this delicacy. 

manohardentalcare.com

Other Romantic Associations

Though some holiday traditions, such as sending Valentine’s cards, date back to the ancient Romans, other traditions were picked up along the way. Here are a few examples:

Valentine’s Day became an especially popular holiday in England and France circa 476-1300 — the Middle Ages. February 14th was considered the start of the birds’ mating season, which is credited as attributing some romance to the holiday.
The Father of English literature, Geoffrey Chaucer, was the first person to officially link Valentine’s Day to romantic love. In 1381, the poet wrote “The Parliament of Fowls” and named Valentine’s Day as an occasion when birds found their mates.
Shakespeare joined in the fun as well and is credited with romanticizing Valentine’s Day in his works. He mentions the holiday in his plays A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Hamlet. Of course, the author is also known for dozens of love poems that have so staunchly stood the test of time that they’re still considered classics.
Charles, Duke of Orleans, wrote the oldest Valentine’s card that we have — you can go and see it today. If you’re ever visiting the British Library, check out the love note to his wife, which Charles wrote while imprisoned during the Battle of Agincourt.
Giving gifts and making and exchanging handmade cards was an official practice in England by the 18th century. At this point in history, we began to see lace, ribbons, the Cupid cherub, and hearts associated with the festivities.
This trend spread to the American colonies as well, but it wasn’t until Ester A. Howland started mass-producing Valentine’s Card that they became an American staple.
The Industrial Revolution of the 19th century sparked a period of unprecedented growth and production, and capitalists were quick to see the potential of selling Valentine’s cards. Hallmark Cards of Kansas City opened its doors in 1913. Today, producing and selling Valentine’s cards is a billion-dollar industry.

It’s remarkable how many of these Valentine’s traditions have prevailed throughout history. Though we might not celebrate the birds’ mating season or attend a feast, love has long been associated with the 14th. This year, whether you attend a community event or find some quiet time to spend with your special someone, remember the history behind this romantic holiday.

You might also want to read The Couples Guide to a Non-Cheesy Valentine’s Day.

manohardentalcare.com

Lupercalia: Valentine’s Pagan Roots

Though it’s speculated that Valentine’s exists to commemorate the martyrdom of the two Saint Valentines, it’s also argued that Pope Gelasius made the holiday official in order to replace the Roman festival of Lupercalia. Celebrated Feb. 15, ancient Lupercalia was a raucous affair that involved sacrificing dogs and goats (pagan symbols of purification and fertility) and whipping women with the slaughtered animals’ blood-soaked hides. There was also plenty of public nudity, drunkenness, and debauchery involved.

You might find this a bit gruesome — Pope Gelasius certainly did. Even though the people of his time didn’t follow the ancient practices exactly, there was still plenty of drinking and partying. In approximately 496, the Catholic leader rebranded the second week of February as a time to celebrate Christianity, commemorating a feast held Feb. 14 known as “Valentine’s Day.” However, the holiday didn’t become associated specifically with love until about 900 years later.

manohardentalcare.com

Valentine the Prisoner

Another Saint Valentine, it’s alleged, was killed for helping Christians escape prisons. The story goes that an imprisoned Valentine fell in love with a jailer’s daughter and sent her the first love letter signed “From your Valentine.”

Both of these stories have some obvious ties to romance, and both celebrate Christian love in addition to romance. Valentine the prisoner is even credited with sending the first Valentine to a loved one. The roots of this holiday, however, aren’t exclusively Christian. In fact, until Pope Gelasius officially declared the 14th to be a Christian event, there was another festival celebrated annually during the second week of February: Lupercalia.

manohardentalcare.com

Valentine the Officiant

One priest — a Saint Valentine — supposedly revolted against Emperor Claudius II’s ruling that single men couldn’t get married because having a family spoiled them for combat. Valentine resisted and decided to still perform marriages, but his rebellion ultimately cost him his life. 

manohardentalcare.com

Meet the Saint Valentines

Valentine’s Day has Catholic roots. The dioceses recognize two Saint Valentines who were all martyred for their faith. All were also said to have been killed on Feb. 14. However, the exact history of these individuals is a bit tangled in lore, legend, and fact. Here are a couple stories. 

manohardentalcare.com

The History of Valentine’s Day

Today, the Valentine’s holiday is all about sweets and romance. But, Valentine’s Day hasn’t always been about crafts, cards, chocolates, and kisses — and it’s not even a modern celebration. Historians have traced its roots back thousands of years to the ancient Romans. Indeed, this pink-and-red holiday has seen some interesting transformations throughout history.

The next time you buy a bag of candy hearts with snuggly inscriptions, just remember how much this holiday has changed and which traditions we’ve held on to for centuries.

manohardentalcare.com

When to See a Dentist

You should see a dentist whenever you experience tooth sensitivity. This is also necessary if you need a more complex solution, such as a mouth guard. A dentist can also determine exactly which teeth are exposed to sensitivity and recommend an appropriate treatment or prescribe a special toothpaste or similar product. Finally, if your teeth are especially sensitive, a dentist can schedule a root canal, filling, or other advanced procedure.

Whether you’re just starting to struggle with sensitivity or always have issues in the cold weather, it’s worth visiting your dentist and finding a solution to resolve your pain.

manohardentalcare.com

Try These Fixes for Your Sensitive Teeth

If you’re experiencing sensitivity, a dentist may recommend one of these fixes for your sensitive teeth:

A fluoride application: Fluoride is a natural mineral that a dentist can apply to your sensitive teeth. This application strengthens the enamel and thus prevents sensitivity because of exposed dentin.
Covering root surfaces: A dentist can apply a sealant to fix problems with receding gums.
Making a mouth guard: If you clench or grind your teeth, a dentist can make a mouth guard to prevent you from damaging your teeth in your sleep. This can help with jaw pain as well.
Root canal treatment: During a root canal procedure, the dentist removes the soft pulp inside the damaged tooth. This is recommended to fix issues with deep decay or a cracked or chipped tooth.

manohardentalcare.com

Common Culprits Responsible for Seasonally Sensitive Teeth

Your dentin could be exposed for a number of reasons. People often wear down their enamel or suffer from receding gums and tooth sensitivity because of one of the following reasons:

Periodontal disease: Diseases of the gums, cementum, periodontal ligament, and alveolar bone can expose the dentin and cause sensitivity. Gingivitis is one of the earliest stages of periodontal disease.
Brushing too vigorously: You may think that you need to bear down hard to remove surface stains, but brushing with too much force can start to wear down your enamel.
Clenching and grinding: Some people may clench or grind their teeth in their sleep. This can wear down tooth enamel and lead to sensitivity.
Tooth decay: Sensitivity to cold is an early sign of an undetected tooth decay problem. If you start to experience tooth pain, go see a dentist.
Tooth whitening agents: Have you started using a new tooth-whitening agent? The ingredients that make your teeth whiter may strip past surface stains and start wearing down your enamel. If the agent starts hurting your teeth, stop the treatment and consult with your dentist.
Acidic beverages: Sodas, coffee, tea, and other drinks with a high concentration of acid, such as juices, can erode your teeth and expose the dentin layer.
Other lifestyle habits: Other bad oral health habits, such as using tobacco products or not brushing or flossing properly, can cause your gums to recede. When this happens, the dentin at the base of the gums is exposed and can lead to temperature-sensitive teeth.

manohardentalcare.com

Can Cold Weather Make My Teeth Hurt?

Yes, cold weather can make your teeth hurt. In response to extreme heat and cold, your teeth expand and contract. Over time, this can lead to cracks in your teeth, exposing the vulnerable microscopic tubes beneath your enamel. This is the same tooth pain you feel because of cavities, gum disease, and other bad oral habits.

This layer below the enamel is called dentin. It’s the “core” of your teeth, with the enamel covering the top of this layer and the gums covering the bottom portion. Unfortunately, the dentin is covered in nerve fibers. Therefore, any problems with your enamel or gums, such as periodontal disease, could leave you vulnerable to cold weather pain.

Weather sensitivity can occur regardless of how well you care for your teeth, but you’re at greater risk if you don’t practice good oral hygiene and live in an area that has extreme temperature swings. To minimize sensitivity, you should learn about the common causes for sensitive teeth and what you should do when you notice pain because of the cold weather.

manohardentalcare.com

How Winter Weather Can Cause Toothaches and Sensitivity

Do your teeth ever hurt when you eat something hot or cold? When tooth enamel wears down or the gums recede, it exposes a layer of your teeth that is very sensitive to temperature changes. If something too hot or too cold touches this part of your mouth, you’ll feel some pain.

But you aren’t just at risk for this type of discomfort because of your diet. During the winter, your teeth contract in response to intense cold weather. This can lead to cracks in your teeth and cause the same type of pain that you experience when you bite into ice cream. Take a look at how the cold can affect your teeth, how this relates to winter weather, and what you can do to fix aches and sensitive teeth or nerves.

manohardentalcare.com