Healthy Skin And A Healthy Mouth: The Links

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healthy mouth

Discover the links between a healthy mouth and healthy skin

The mouth is often referred to as a window to the rest of the body and a dentist or doctor can tell a lot about a person’s general health by simply looking around their mouth.

A healthy mouth generally indicates a healthy body, as does flawless, clear skin, but how is oral health linked to skin health and what can you do to make sure that you have a bright smile and a radiant complexion?

Your skin and your mouth: the link

The skin is the largest organ in the body and like the mouth, it can tell you a lot about your health. Your skin is one of the only parts that is visible without using cameras or scanners and the signs of unhealthy skin are clear to see.

healthy smileFrom dehydrated, dry and irritated skin, to rashes, warts and spots or patches of infected skin, the symptoms of health problems are often highly visible and marks on your skin can give clues to issues affecting the internal organs and the body systems; often, if you have external symptoms, doctors have a much better idea of what is going on inside your body and this speeds up the diagnostic process.

Your mouth also plays a very important role in showing dentists and doctors what could potentially be wrong inside the body; dentists and doctors can use oral symptoms to diagnose bacterial infections, abscesses, diabetes, oral cancer, gum disease and cardiovascular disease.

It is uncommon for oral diseases to cause skin problems or vice-versa; however, your skin health and your oral health do have many factors in common and many of the choices you make in order to enjoy good oral health will have a positive impact on the health of your skin.

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Healthy Eating Can Benefit Your Hair, Skin and Teeth

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Wintry weather can have a damaging effect on hair and skin as the cold keeps people inside and stops us from getting the fresh air and exercise that we need. It will be a few more months before we can enjoy going outdoors again but in the meantime, altering your diet can have a huge effect on your appearance, and keep your teeth, skin and hair looking healthy.

By watching which minerals and vitamins you take in with the foods you are eating, you are nourishing your hair and skin. For example, dairy products and dried apricots contain Vitamin A, which replenishes the skin cells. Nuts and oily fish maintain healthy hair as they contain fatty acids. It is also important to consume zinc, either from red meat or other supplements, to avoid skin becoming overly dry.

How To Get Glowing Skin By Eating Healthy

glowing healthy skin

  • Skin will benefit from vegetables and fresh fruit, as they contain an antioxidant called beta carotene, which keeps skin healthy by destroying damaging chemicals. The best sources of beta-carotene are carrots and broccoli.
  • Avoiding skin conditions such as dermatitis and eczema can be done through intake of fatty acids. If you cannot get these by eating fish, fish oil supplements or primrose oil can be used instead.

Even wrinkles can be tackled by watching your diet. Deficiency in vitamins A, C and E as well as zinc and selenium is what causes wrinkles and lines.

  • Getting enough Vitamin C will allow the body to build collagen, which prevents sagging. The best sources of vitamin C are citrus fruits, blackcurrants, red peppers and kiwi fruits.
  • Foods such as sunflower seeds, spinach, watercress and olive oil contain vitamin E, which helps combat wrinkles and acne scars by helping the body heal with its antioxidant properties. It also helps nutrients and oxygen reach the surface of the skin by keeping red blood cells strong and healthy.
  • Selenium also works as an antioxidant and aids the body as it processes food. It can be found in wholegrain bread, eggs and Brazil nuts.

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Homemade Egg White Pore Strip Treatment For Blackheads

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blackheads look like small black dotsAcne is frustrating no matter what form it comes in. Whiteheads can be large and unsightly but blackheads can be downright frustrating. Small in size but ripe in numbers, they take up residence most frequently on your nose and chin and are a small reminder of how easily acne can sneak up on you.

What Exactly Are Blackheads?

The term blackhead refers to discolored skin openings that result from a backup of skin debris. More specifically, when the hair follicle region becomes backed up with bacteria and sebum (oil) a blackhead is the result. In medical terms, they are called “open comedos”.

Blackheads remain small in size because they form before too much bacteria can enter the open hair follicle. If more bacteria entered they would grow in size and become whiteheads; papules or pustules. Like other forms of more severe acne, blackheads can form because of hormonal changes and an increased production and buildup of oil. As the hidden bacteria is exposed to air and oxidizes it turns to that ugly black color.

As I mentioned before, blackheads often form in or around the nose and chin. These are two regions that most commonly overproduce oil and the natural crevices are harder to keep clean. With that being said, there is a quick and easy blackhead treatment that you can try out right in your very own home for pennies per application.

Introducing the Egg White Pore Strip!

To make this quick and easy pore strip all you will need are the ingredients shown in the picture below.

homemade egg white pore strips

All you need to make these homemade pore strips are two eggs, a whisk and a bowl to mix them in plus two ply toilet paper, scissors to cut this to size and a brush to apply the egg white.

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Home Acne Treatments Straight Out of the Kitchen

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home acne treatments

If you have suddenly got a crop of pimples, try one of our three home acne treatments with ingredients you will find in your kitchen!

I am usually pretty fortunate with my skin. It stays relatively clear and occasionally I can go for a few months without breaking out. Well, that was until a few weeks ago when I noticed I was getting not one, not two, not even three, but FOUR pimples at the same time.

Because my skin is usually quite clear, I don’t really have a powerful acne treatment that helps to zap zits fast and even if I did, I’m usually a little wary of smearing my face full of synthetic ingredients.

So naturally, I hit up my best buddy Google for a little acne skinsperation and found 3 quick and easy DIY acne treatments that you can make using ingredients found in your kitchen.

Curious to know what these simple pimple remedies are?

Read on.

Honey

honey

honey has natural antibacterial and antimicrobial properties and helps to heal your skin

Honey is one of those unsuspecting super-foods, err, super-nectars that not only tastes amazing but packs a serious antibacterial punch!

It has been used for eons by our ancestor’s ancestors for medicinal purposes, meaning people were using Honey to banish blemishes before using food on your face was the cool, and Green, thing to do.

What makes it an even more attractive option is how cheap and easy it is to use. All you need is Honey! Yes, that’s it!

However, I should mention that you should try to use organic or pure Honey where possible to avoid slathering your skin with any processed ingredients.

Once you’re ready, simply dab your Honey directly onto your pimples. Allow it to sit there for up to 15 minutes before rinsing off with warm water and patting dry.

Because of Honey’s natural antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, this tasty nectar will help to cleanse away dirt and bacteria as well as eliminate any surrounding bacteria that our acne feeds off.

And to think I was only ever using Honey in my tea before this!

Editor’s Tip: You can check out our recipe for making a natural Oatmeal and Honey Face Mask by using the link! Continue reading →