IT’S MORE THAN JUST TIDYING UP 4 Health Benefits of Spring-Cleaning
Sunday, March 20, is the first day of spring — which means it’s time for some spring-cleaning. Did you know that cleaning is not just about tidying up a physical space? It’s also about improving overall well-being. Here's how organization and cleanliness can help you in more ways than you might expect. SPRING-CLEANING REDUCES STRESS AND DEPRESSION. Tidiness and mental health are actually connected. Studies have found that having a clean home is directly correlated to happiness and your ability to focus. Anxiety can spike when laundry is piling up, items are strewn everywhere, and papers get scattered on various surfaces within the home. Clearing the clutter is a great way to boost your mood and increase those feel-good hormones. IT PREVENTS ILLNESSES. Doorknobs, refrigerator handles, light switches, countertops, and remote controls are all things we touch many times a day. Cleaning anything that’s used often is one way to reduce the spread of germs. By keeping household surfaces clean, we help thwart the spread of viruses and illnesses. SPRING-CLEANING HELPS YOU BREATHE BETTER. Spring often brings pollen that triggers allergies for many. But pollen isn't the only thing to blame when people have difficulty breathing.
When dust and pet dander build up in your home, your respiratory system is greatly affected too. Deep-cleaning your air filters and vents can make breathing effortless — and it’s truly amazing how this can improve your well-being. IT KEEPS YOU MORE ACTIVE. Off the couch and on your feet! Even just running the vacuum and clearing the clutter from the dining room table will get you up and moving, which is healthy for your heart and body.
This spring season, putting some elbow grease into your cleaning will benefit you in more ways than one. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself later!
The Guide to Replacing Your Toothbrush What Is That on Your Toothbrush?!
If you're staying on top of your oral hygiene, you're probably brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing daily. But are you changing out your toothbrush often enough? If you've been using the same one for a few months now, it's likely time for a replacement. According to the American Dental Association, you should switch out your toothbrush for a new one every 3–4 months or when the bristles start to fray, whichever comes first. What is the reasoning behind this and what happens if you don't? The answer is actually pretty gross.
reinfected with a previous illness, another virus could develop over time. According to professionals, the bathroom is the perfect area for bacteria to grow. By dipping your toothbrush in boiling water or soaking it in alcohol, you can sanitize your toothbrush periodically before purchasing a new one. If you don't swap your toothbrush out before the bristles fray, your teeth and gums may suffer. Plaque, which is both sticky and colorless, is a layer of bacteria that forms on your teeth. If the bristles on your toothbrush are
damaged, they cannot effectively remove all the plaque or reach deep in between the teeth, which puts your teeth at risk for cavities and your gums at risk for gingivitis. Don’t want to throw out your old toothbrush yet? You can always repurpose it for cleaning purposes. It makes for a great kitchen or bathroom tool. To make sure you never keep the same toothbrush longer than you should, think of each season as needing its own brush or mark your calendar four months out as a reminder to replace your toothbrush to ensure the best health for your mouth and body.
If you don’t replace your toothbrush regularly, you’re putting your physical and oral health at risk. According to researchers at the University of Manchester in England, more than 100 million bacteria live on your toothbrush at any given moment, including E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus. In fact, researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham say fecal matter could be on your toothbrush as well. Don’t brush where you flush! When you put off getting a new toothbrush, more bacteria just build up and can potentially make you sick. While it isn’t likely you’d be
2 | WrigleyvilleDental.com
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