![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 8 to 32 of 32. Go back in thread:
Posted by Cass on September 3, 2004, at 17:27:52
In reply to Re: Exercise poll » SAW, posted by Angela2 on September 3, 2004, at 9:57:36
I just took a brisk walk which was very motivating to me. It got my heart rate up, and I didn't ache too much. Have any of you tried Merrell shoes? I bought a couple pairs at "The Walking Store" located in the mall. They are the most comfy shoes I've ever had and great for walking. I just want to live in them except when I'm at home. Then I prefer to go barefoot.
Posted by starlight on September 5, 2004, at 2:17:51
In reply to Re: Exercise poll, posted by Cass on September 2, 2004, at 23:01:48
Wow, you sound a lot like me. I floss too and have enjoyed a few vicoden here or there, or a half of a flexaril or klonopin, but not very much. I enjoy herb and margaritas as well, but am trying to strike a better balance. I feel like the yoga and the activity that I get is the other side of that. For the past several years I've been too extreme on the exercise train, but I notice that when I don't exercise that I actually lose weight because my metabolism seems to have increased after all these years. So that helps take care of the weight issue. Best of luck, and may we all enjoy and recognize the beauty in our own bodies, and manifest healing!
Cheers,
Starlight
Posted by Cass on September 5, 2004, at 21:57:56
In reply to Re: Exercise poll, posted by starlight on September 5, 2004, at 2:17:51
Thanks, Starlight. I hope you've struck a nice balance in your exercise routine now. I'm glad you floss. Do you know studies have shown that people who floss actually live longer? I'm not necessarily trying to set any records for long life, but I'd like the quality of my life to be as good as possible while I'm alive, including dental health.
It was an extemely hot day today where I live. I sipped on cold homemade sesame milk and snacked on fruit. I'm feeling very content at the moment.
Posted by octopusprime on September 6, 2004, at 17:39:54
In reply to Re: Exercise poll » starlight, posted by Cass on September 5, 2004, at 21:57:56
hi cass:
i have been doing well with exercise so i will brag :-)
i ride my bike 5km each way to work every day. so this is about 45 minutes of aerobic activity each weekday.
weekend activity varies: there are yoga classes i try to attend, swimming in the summer, cross-country skiing in the winter, hiking in the spring/summer/fall, and sometimes longer bike rides. some weekends i am lazy and do nothing, but some weekends i do lots (this weekend i hiked and did a lot of dancing and drumming.)
i play hand drums between 1.5-6 hours a week, which is good for the arms (not to mention dancing at drum circles)
my latest exercise regime has been going on since march. i have lost 20-30 pounds (with some diet change included, mainly emphasizing fruits and vegetables, but no formal dieting). i don't own a scale so i can't tell you how much i have lost precisely, but i do know that i have to buy all new pants. :)
i find riding my bike to work is an excellent way to get exercise: i have to go to work every day, parking and transit is expensive, it's too far to walk, so i'm forced to exercise. this is the only way i can consistently motivate myself. brute force. :)
Posted by Cass on September 6, 2004, at 19:51:32
In reply to Re: Exercise poll, posted by octopusprime on September 6, 2004, at 17:39:54
I'm really impressed with your energy and self-discipline, octopusprime. Most of those are really vigorous activities. Sounds like you're really benefitting from it all and having a lot of fun too. I'm still in my exercise lull. The heat wave we're having doesn't help things. Sounds like you've made some awesome dietary changes too. I eat a mostly plant based diet. It's done me a great deal of good. Amond other things, I've lost about 35 pounds.
Posted by Starlight on September 7, 2004, at 16:28:48
In reply to Re: Exercise poll ? starlight, posted by Cass on September 5, 2004, at 21:57:56
Why yes! People who floss have healthier gums and teeth and that leads to better overall health!
I know it sounds funny, but the circulation between your mouth and heart are connected, so if there's bacteria in the mouth it can travel to the heart very quickly. That's why some people who have heart murmurs are supposed to take an antibiotic even before they have their teeth cleaned, (such as myself, but I never do!).Healthy teeth are beautiful!
Posted by Cass on September 7, 2004, at 20:48:52
In reply to Re: Exercise poll, posted by Starlight on September 7, 2004, at 16:28:48
Hi Starlight,
Good explanation between the connection of flossing and good health. I'm really into oral hygeine. One of the places our bodies detox is through the tongue, so I scrape the white stuff off my tongue morning and evening. (Sorry if that's TMI.) My teeth stay pretty white because I no longer drink coffee, coke..., and my diet is pretty pure, but I do spray food grade H2O2 and water on my teeth from time to time. It's a natural whitener. I brush with a sonicare which I think is the best toothbrush.
Pretty soon I'm going to have my amalgam fillings replaced with composites. I don't like the idea of mercury leaking into my body.
Posted by partlycloudy on September 8, 2004, at 19:09:22
In reply to Re: Oral hygeine chat..., posted by Cass on September 7, 2004, at 20:48:52
I worked in the dental field for a couple of years. I am completely sold on my WaterPik. I had the beginnings of gum disease - which is worsened by many of the meds we take, BTW - and I have healed completed. And I scrape my tongue. My friend IRL, the only one I have, is a hygienist and she says that the bacteria in your mouth are pooping and that's what plaque is. GROSS!!! So I am happy to shoot a stream of water between my teeth every day. I do not floss any more. You can even get a version of a water pik that attaches to your shower head so you can pik while you're conditioning your hair... oh, jeez, now you got me started....
Posted by Cass on September 8, 2004, at 19:13:59
In reply to Re: Oral hygeine chat... » Cass, posted by partlycloudy on September 8, 2004, at 19:09:22
Hi PC,
I was using a water pik too, but I had the bright idea of adding some sea salt to the water. It clogged up the machine, and now it the water flow is weak.
I'm glad it's helped your gums!!
Posted by partlycloudy on September 8, 2004, at 19:22:32
In reply to Re: Oral hygeine chat... » partlycloudy, posted by Cass on September 8, 2004, at 19:13:59
My hubby and I even take one when we go on a trip. Once you've seen the cost of gum disease treatment - not even surgery - you'd be flossing or pikking too.
I never thought I could be enthusiastic about my gums, but I always surprise myself at the oddest times.
Posted by Cass on September 8, 2004, at 19:41:33
In reply to Re: Oral hygeine chat... » Cass, posted by partlycloudy on September 8, 2004, at 19:22:32
LOL, PC. I'm the same way. I'm so enthusiastic about oral hygeine. I love to talk about it. You're right about the expense of neglecting the gums. VERY pricy! Luckily, I think I started flossing just in time.
Posted by partlycloudy on September 8, 2004, at 20:03:50
In reply to Re: Oral hygeine chat... » partlycloudy, posted by Cass on September 8, 2004, at 19:41:33
you know what is weird? Even at my very absolute lowest, I still brush my teeth and waterpik. That must be the absolute definition of optimism.
Posted by Cass on September 8, 2004, at 20:50:03
In reply to Re: Oral hygeine chat... » Cass, posted by partlycloudy on September 8, 2004, at 19:09:22
I was meaning to ask you... I've seen other people use the acronym "IRL", but I don't' know what it means. You seemed to be referring to a woman you know when you wrote: "My friend IRL, the only one I have..." I'm confused.
Posted by partlycloudy on September 8, 2004, at 20:54:49
In reply to Re: Oral hygeine chat... » partlycloudy, posted by Cass on September 8, 2004, at 20:50:03
it's very sad, really. My T offered to connect me with someone else tonight who is down and I could only look at the floor, shake my head, and cry. I want connection In Real Life, but I can't actually bring myself to subject someone to the misery I am in at the moment. I've had enough experience being ostracized.
Posted by Cass on September 8, 2004, at 21:05:51
In reply to In Real Life » Cass, posted by partlycloudy on September 8, 2004, at 20:54:49
Thanks for explaining it to me. I'm sorry you don't have more friends IRL. Of the posts I've read, you seem fun and upbeat here online, maybe not all the time, but who is? I wonder if your feelings of being ostracized are a little exagerated, or maybe you're hooking up with people who aren't your kindred spirits. In any case, you are a worthwhile person.
Posted by saw on September 9, 2004, at 3:15:32
In reply to In Real Life » Cass, posted by partlycloudy on September 8, 2004, at 20:54:49
If you and I were to meet we could ditch insomnia for good. We will simply stay up all night to chat and chat. (Ummm ... with a bottle of wine (sheepish!)).
On the oral hygiene note - I have periodontitis (sp?). It's been cleaned up and is under control but the bone loss is severe and the gum has receded so much that surgery will be tricky. Not that my medical insurance considers dentistry important enough to cover. (Actually - that goes for anything on the mental health front aswell - sheesh!!).
Sabrina
PS. Fortunately, it is only one or three teeth at the bottom. The rest still looks ok in a smile. :-)
Posted by partlycloudy on September 9, 2004, at 4:45:22
In reply to Re: In Real Life » partlycloudy, posted by Cass on September 8, 2004, at 21:05:51
I think I spend so much effort trying to hide my problems from the real world that I come across on the chilly side. I form good relationships at work but they haven't traveled well at all.
That's why I am so appreciative of this community.
Posted by Larry Hoover on September 9, 2004, at 9:09:15
In reply to Re: Oral hygeine chat..., posted by Cass on September 7, 2004, at 20:48:52
I'm just going to pop in here with some random thoughts....
The idea that calculus (plaque) is bacterial poop is....uhh....not supported by science.
Saliva contains calcium and phosphate in sufficiently high concentrations that the solution is super-saturated. It wants to crystallize out, but the critical requirements for that to happen are governed by pH (acid/base balance) and the presence of nucleation centres.
Your saliva is constantly remineralizing your teeth. Precarious lesions (soft spots in teeth that always precede the creation of a cavity) can heal, if you correct the local chemistry around the soft spot. Bacteria release acid as they metabolize sugars, so cleaning away the bacteria gets rid of the acid, which lets the saliva remineralize the soft area. That's why brushing is so important after sweets. In particular, gooey sweets that stick to teeth.
Plaque is caused by alkalinization of the micro-environment, and/or the presence of a different set of bacteria than the acid-formers. These bacteria can serve as crystallization centers for calcium phosphate crystals, in the interestingly named form of a substance called brushite. Once those crystals form, they then serve as templates for more crystals to deposit, so the more often you remove the existing crystals, the better you are at keeping them from getting large enough to injure the gums.
Water-pik appliances are effective not only because they wash away these various nasties, but because they also neutralize the pH by dilution. Flushing, quite literally.
For a hopefully not too complex over-view, see:
http://www.ncl.ac.uk/dental/oralbiol/oralenv/tutorials/calciumphosphate.htmSpraying the teeth with hydrogen peroxide is not something to do with any regularity, unless you want to get caps on all your teeth. It dissolves the enamel. Moreover, the peroxide (and reaction products) is conducted into the tooth, where it can cause nerve damage. This will first manifest itself as sensitivity to heat or cold. After that, the nerve can die, and with it, the tooth. Discuss this with your dentist.
http://www.man-health-magazine-online.com/tooth-whitener.html
As for the white stuff on the tongue....I know one thing, it's got nothing whatsoever to do with detox.
The epithelial cells (specialized skin) that form part of the taste-bud receptors produce a very corrugated rough surface. As with all epithelial cells, they are sloughed off about every 2-4 weeks. When they're healthy and alive, they're pretty much transparent, and you can see the reddish tint of the blood below the surface. When they die, they get all frayed and ratty, and they become opaque (whitish).
At any point in time, but especially when the cells are shed, bacteria can invade these little coves and harbours and frayed bits, and go to work. This crew is one of the most likely to cause bad breath, but there is no link to detox. The sloughed cells, with their bacteria, are swallowed. They become "food", in out stomachs. Where's the detox?
I now return you to your regularly scheduled programming.
Lar
Posted by partlycloudy on September 9, 2004, at 12:19:50
In reply to Re: Oral hygeine chat..., posted by Larry Hoover on September 9, 2004, at 9:09:15
Lar, you are one walking encyclopedia. Thank you, and I'll never look the same at the inside of my mouth!
Posted by Larry Hoover on September 9, 2004, at 14:37:29
In reply to Holey moley! » Larry Hoover, posted by partlycloudy on September 9, 2004, at 12:19:50
> Lar, you are one walking encyclopedia. Thank you, and I'll never look the same at the inside of my mouth!
Wanna play Trivial Pursuit? I do good at that.
Lar
Posted by partlycloudy on September 9, 2004, at 15:12:04
In reply to Re: Holey moley! » partlycloudy, posted by Larry Hoover on September 9, 2004, at 14:37:29
I cannot play that game without getting into a screaming match - it doesn't matter with whom I play. I am quite the sore loser! And then, I'll accuse you of making me cry. My game is Solitare (wouldn't you know).
Posted by Larry Hoover on September 9, 2004, at 15:45:02
In reply to Re: Holey moley! » Larry Hoover, posted by partlycloudy on September 9, 2004, at 15:12:04
> I cannot play that game without getting into a screaming match - it doesn't matter with whom I play.
I am mystified. You say what is on the card, or not. Non? Or do you argue about "close enough"?
> I am quite the sore loser! And then, I'll accuse you of making me cry.
Okay, you can play on my team.
> My game is Solitare (wouldn't you know).
Do you ever play those games in Windoze? Freecell, Spider Solitaire, Minesweeper? My record for Expert Minesweeper is 93 seconds.
Lar
Posted by partlycloudy on September 9, 2004, at 16:51:20
In reply to Re: Holey moley! » partlycloudy, posted by Larry Hoover on September 9, 2004, at 15:45:02
> I am mystified. You say what is on the card, or not. Non? Or do you argue about "close enough"?
>
It's a leftover thing from my first marriage. He and I could never agree what the right answer was and I'd get all high and mighty when I was right - AGAIN. And he'd get all mad and start throwing things around.
> Do you ever play those games in Windoze? Freecell, Spider Solitaire, Minesweeper? My record for Expert Minesweeper is 93 seconds.
>
No, I vaguely remember some Japanese game with dressed up kitty cats stacking up on top of each other, but I actually play Solitare with real cards. It's a family thing. When us kids get together with our mom, someone eventually ends up playing Solitare, right in the middle of the room. It is so soothing to play against yourself.
Posted by partlycloudy on September 9, 2004, at 16:52:30
In reply to Re: Holey moley!, posted by partlycloudy on September 9, 2004, at 16:51:20
playing Solitare means you don't have to talk to anybody else, because they all know you have to concentrate.
Posted by joebob on September 10, 2004, at 21:57:02
In reply to Re: Oral hygeine chat..., posted by Larry Hoover on September 9, 2004, at 9:09:15
just got a big crop of cavities......he's organic, doesn't eat sugar, wheat, dairy, the whole bit....never been sick
now a bunch of cavities, $2k worth, and i ain't got that kind of cash
so do i raise or lower his salivary ph? and how? to be frank, the dentist just wants to fill and fill and fill again and has no preventative advice at all
i've started giving him xylitol gum and want to try culturelle lactobacillus, but mostly don't want to face years of needless expense and hassle if i can put an end to it now
any ideas deeply appreciated
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Health | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.