Orthodontics: 3 Reasons Why You Want a Straight and White Smile

 

When you look in the mirror, you might see teeth that are crooked because there isn’t enough space in the mouth for all of them to grow in properly. There could be teeth that have gaps in between them. You might have difficulty eating or talking because of the condition of your teeth. Orthodontics gives more than just a beautiful smile. It can change the entire layout of your mouth.

 

Self-Esteem

One of the reasons why you might want to consider orthodontic treatment is to increase your self-esteem. If you don’t see straight teeth that give you the beautiful smile that you want, then it can play a factor on how you feel about the rest of your appearance. When you start seeing that the teeth can be straight with orthodontics, then you can feel better about the way that you look. Orthodontic treatment isn’t just for teenagers who feel as though they want to have straight teeth. Adults can have the treatment as well so that they have teeth that are aligned properly to give the desired appearance.

 

Biting Down

If you notice that you have problems with biting on foods, then orthodontic treatment can solve this issue. According to the Coquitlam Centre Dental Clinic, braces can help pull the teeth into an alignment so that you have a natural bite. You won’t have the top teeth that extend over the lower jaw or bottom teeth that seem to appear as though they are in front of your mouth. Creating a natural bite can take some of the tension off of the jaws. This can decrease any headaches that you might have as well as relieve pressure on the gums and teeth.

 

Crowding

Some people have a mouth that doesn’t have enough room for all of the teeth inside. This can cause the teeth to be crooked, and if the teeth are crooked, it can be hard for them to function properly while you’re eating. When the wisdom teeth grow in, there likely won’t be room, so they will either grow under the back teeth or further push the teeth together in the front of the mouth. After a few teeth are pulled, orthodontic treatment can be used to get the teeth back in a straight line. When the teeth aren’t crowded, there will be a decrease in bacteria build up, which will decrease the chances of cavities forming or teeth chipping.

 

Orthodontic treatment is ideal for teenagers and adults who want a straight smile or if there are issues involving the teeth that need to be corrected for your overall health. The treatment doesn’t last long. Most people are out of braces or other methods of treatment in only one or two years. The smile that you have as a result will be something that you want others to see.

 

Categories: mouth, natural bite, nbsp, orthodontic treatment, orthodontics, reasons, straight, straight teeth, teeth, treatment, white smile

Family Fitness: A Fun Workout You and Your Kids Will Love

Fitness and wellness are both worthy goals to aspire to, but they can be a bit, well, boring. Sure, you want to take care of your wellbeing but, let’s be honest, if it isn’t fun you’re not going to stick with it. If you’re tired of the same old exercises, why not try this fun workout routine courtesy of certified trainer and international fitness instructor Sara Haley, creator of fitness DVD Sweat UNLIMITED? You should perform these exercises in the order they are given, and do them on up to three non-consecutive days per week.

 

1. Rake and Shake: This move works your inner and outer thighs, bum, quads and hamstrings. Haley instructs, ‘Stand tall with your feet hip-width apart, hands clasped together in front of you as if you are holding a rake (1). Lunge to the left bending your left knee (toes pointing forward and hips pressing back), keeping your right leg straight, rotating your torso toward your right leg, and reaching your clasped hands toward your right hip (2). Slowly “rake” the leaves back to centre, returning to the start position. Repeat on right side to complete one rep. Continue for 15 repetitions. Finish by shaking your legs out one at a time as if you were trying to shake leaves off your legs.’

 

2. Football Feet: This is a core, cardiovascular, speed and agility exercise all in one. According to Haley, you should ‘stand with your hands at chest height, arms bent, knees soft as if you are ready to catch a football. Lifting knees as high as you can, take three jogging steps to your left (left-right-left), landing with your right foot in the air (1). Repeat three high-knee jogs to the right (right-left-right), landing with your left foot raised (2). Now run three steps backwards, swinging your arms and torso back as if to catch a football (3). Finish by running three steps forward to “catch” the ball (4). Repeat side to side and back to front for at least 10 sets.’

 

3. Pumpkin Roll and Apple Pick: This is a move for your lower body, core and cardiovascular system. ‘With feet wider than hips, back straight and knees and toes turned outward, bend the knees and squat straight down, keeping chest lifted and reaching toward the ground as if picking a pumpkin,’ says Haley. ‘(1). Stay low and walk forward in your squat position for 10 steps as you pretend to roll your pumpkin across the patch, then stand back up, straightening legs and reaching up to the right as if plucking an apple from a tall tree (lifting your left leg up at a diagonal (2). (Add a little hop on the right leg here if you want more challenge!) Squat back down and roll your pumpkin backwards for 10 steps, then stand and reach (or hop) to the left to complete one rep. Repeat for 10 total repetitions.’

 

4. Slippery Hiker: Work your legs, glutes, core, shoulders and cardiovascular system with this move. Haley advises, ‘Begin standing tall with arms at your sides, feet hip distance apart and back straight (1).Take a big step forward with the right foot into a lunge, bending the front knee over the ankle but keeping the back leg straight (2). Hinge from the hips to place your hands on the ground on each side of your foot, keeping abs tight (3). Walk or slide your front leg back into a plank position with arms and legs straight, back straight, and body in one long line (4). Pause for a moment, then walk or drag your left leg forward, keeping hands on the ground (5). Slow straighten back to an upright position, then step left leg back to return to the start position (1). Repeat, this time starting the series by stepping forward with the opposite (left) leg and finishing the whole series by stepping the right leg back to complete a single rep. Repeat for five to eight total repetitions.’

Categories: Family Wellness, feet hip, Fun, fun workout, left, left leg, leg straight, rake and shake, rep repeat, repeat, straight, total repetitions

A Workout with Legs: How to Sculpt the Perfect Pins

With all those gorgeous dresses you’ll be wearing this holiday season, you’ll need the perfect pins to secure your sense of wellbeing. While this may seem like some sort of wellness pipe-dream, fitness trainer and qualified exercise scientist Damien Kelly asserts that you can get the amazing, defined legs you want with just a little hard work, and his kick-ass lean-limb workout!

 

1. Step it up: Kelly instructs, ‘Place your right foot on a bench or chair that is approximately knee height. Push down through your right heel and stand up on the bench. Without stopping, continue to move the left leg forward until the knee is at hip height and at a right angle (in a running style). Balance for a moment before slowly lowering your left foot to the ground, touching down lightly with only your toes, and then spring straight back up for your next rep. Focus on maintaining your posture throughout the exercise and fix your gaze on the horizon in front of you. Do all the reps on one leg, then swap over.’ You should aim for 15 to 30 reps per leg. For a variation, try using higher steps, alternating legs and/or holding a weight in one hand.

 

2. Take the lunge: ‘Stand with feet shoulder-width apart and take a long stride forward, keeping the same width between your feet,’ says Kelly. ‘Raise your back heel off the ground. Keep your torso upright. Drop your back knee directly down to a point just off the ground, keeping the majority of the weight through your front heel. Raise your knee and repeat without stopping at the top of the movement. Keep your gaze forward throughout the exercise. You should feel this exercise in the glute (buttocks) in your front leg and the upper thigh in the back leg.’ You should aim for 10 to 20 reps per leg and, for more of a challenge, try stepping forward, stepping back, walking, jumping or holding weights.

 

3. Crane and simple: Kelly advises, ‘Stand on your left leg, maintaining good posture. Bend forward at the hips, keeping long through your spine, reach your right hand down and touch your left big toe. Kick your right leg out to the back. Keep your left knee slightly bent and your gaze fixed on a point in front of you. Pause for a second and then slowly rise back to upright. Keeping your right foot off the ground, go straight into your next rep. Do all the reps on the left leg before starting on your right.’ On each leg, you should be aiming for eight to 15 reps. For those of you who want a bit more out of the Crane workout, alternate your legs, hold a weight in your reaching hand, or stand on a step so your hand goes below your foot.

 

4. Hamstring curls: For this one, you’ll need a Swiss ball, and manage about 10 to 20 reps. Kelly details, ‘Lie on your back, with your heels on a Swiss ball, your legs straight and your arms out to the sides. Lift your pelvis until your body is straight from heels to shoulders. Now slowly roll the ball towards your backside, onto the soles of your feet, and pause. Keep your pelvis high. Slowly return your legs to almost straight and repeat. Start with three sets of eight reps and gradually work up to 15. To increase the intensity, gradually bring your arms closer to your body, and eventually try with your arms across your chest for the ultimate hamstring workout.’ To mix it up, try the arms-by-your-sides, arms-in-the-air and one-legged variations.

Categories: hamstring curls, knee, left, left leg, legs, perfect pins, reps, straight, swiss ball, tone

Complete Body Fitness with These Easy Techniques

Fitness experts agree that the focus has shifted towards functional exercises which use multiple muscles and joints in one go. This way of working out helps t o improve your endurance, strength and coordination, as well as your posture, agility and balance. Here are some great exercises that can improve your wellbeing and fitness.

 

Medicine ball with a squat

Although you lift things all the time with your arms, from your kids to your shopping, your legs and back are also key players in this movement. Exercises which strengthen these areas are fantastic – this one also improves the strength in your shoulders and glutes too. Using a medicine ball, stand with your feet wide and the ball in front of you – hold it with both hands and squat down. Moving your rear back and keeping your knees over your ankles, lower the ball to the floor and keep your back straight. Return to the starting position and lift the medicine ball over your head. You need to repeat this with three sets of ten repetitions, and as you get stronger you can increase the weight of the ball.

Stair climb with a bicep curl

Using stairs as a part of your fitness programme is clever exercising, as they will keep your legs toned and your back strong, as well as improving your cardiovascular health. Pairing the stair climbs with bicep curls will also improve the strength in your arms and improve your ability to carry things, in everyday life and when walking up the stairs. Stand at the bottom of your stairs holding a five to eight pound dumbbell in each hand. As you climb the stairs you should perform bicep curls – as you walk or run down the stairs, you should hold the weights but don’t do any curls. Repeat this five to ten times. As you get stronger you can increase the weight of the dumbbells, as well as repeating the exercise a few more times each session.

Hip extension with reverse fly

This exercise helps to improve your coordination and balance, as well as strengthening your mid and lower back, shoulders, legs and glutes. Standing straight and tall, hold a five pound dumbbell in each hand and extend your right leg back, placing your toe on the floor and keeping your right leg straight. Lean forward slightly at the hips and lift your right leg beihind you as you bring your chest towards the floor. Keep your back straight throughout this and lift your arms straight out in front of you to form a T and your shoulders. Squeeze your shoulder blades together and keep your head in line with your neck. Return to the starting position and repeat 10 to 15 times for each leg. As your fitness improves, you can slowly increase the weight of the dumbbells and the amount of repetitions you do each time. This is a great exercise for building your strength and stamina.

Diagonal reach with a medicine ball

This exercise pays close attention to how your body moves, meaning you can workout a number of areas in one go – your arms, shoulders and legs all get a workout. Stand up tall and hold a medicine ball at your chest with both hands. Lift the ball diagonally overhead to your right and straighten your arms, whilst extending your left leg to the side, so that you make a diagonal line from the ball to your toes. Lower the medicine ball to the starting position and then repeat 10 to 15 times for each leg. As you get stronger, you may wish to try strapping some ankle weights to your ankles to increase the workout.

Categories: arms, ball, bicep curls, exercise, fitness, lift, medicine, medicine ball, pound dumbbell, starting position, straight, Strength Training