Some people may neglect their teeth and gums, thinking they aren’t as important as the heart or lungs. However, the health of the mouth is tied with the health of the body. A recent example of this is a new study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. Researchers found that chronic periodontitis may put you at risk for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. 
Untreated gingivitis may become something more serious: periodontitis, an infection that destroys soft tissue and bone supporting teeth. It can cause tooth loss.
According to Mayo Clinic, warning signs of periodontitis are:

Receding gums, which …read more

Is bad breath keeping you from getting kissably close? New York City dentist Dr. Lee Gause of  Smile Design Manhattan has offered up several tips on getting rid of the yucky breath.

Of course, flossing is essential, but Dr. Gause also recommends avoiding skipping meals. He says that eating helps get rid of bacteria on the tongue and stimulates the washing action of saliva.
However, Gause notes that constant snacking is bad for oral hygiene and breath. With frequent snacking, your saliva doesn’t have time in between meals to wash away food naturally.
And Gause says that mints make matters worse by increasing …read more

How well did you score on our bulimia quiz?
1. Answer: False-The act of purging causes your body to lower its metabolic rate, thus encouraging weight gain.
2. Answer: “c” – The average age of a bulimic in the United States is 21.
3. Answer: “c” – The average caloric intake of a bulimic’s “binge” is 3,000-5,000 calories.
4. Answer: “c” – Approximately 90 percent of bulimics are female.
5. Answer: “b” – Though it will vary, most bulimics still retain 50 percent of the calories they eat, even with vomiting.
6. Answer: “d” – Diuretics may make a bulimic feel “thinner”, but they do nothing …read more

1. The act of purging increases your metabolic rate.
a.  True
b.  False
2. What is the average age of U.S. bulimics?
a.  13
b.  17
c.  21
d.  25
3. On average, how many calories are consumed during a bulimic’s binge?
a.  1,000-1,500 calories
b.  1,500-3,000 calories
c.  3,000-5,000 calories
d.  5,000+ calories
4. What percentage of bulimics (in the U.S.) are female?
a.  50 percent
b.  75 percent
c.  90 percent
d.  99 percent
5. What percentage of calories consumed are typically absorbed by the bulimic’s body after a vomiting purge?
a.  25 percent
b.  50 percent
c.  75 percent
d.  100 percent
6. What percentage of calories consumed are typically absorbed by the bulimic’s body after using diuretics as a …read more

If you could ask someone with an eating disorder (recovered or not) anything, what would it be?
I’m pretty sure most of us have questions we’d love to have answered.  So why not use this blog as a forum to hear the truth? 
Please write your questions in the comments section (or, if you’d rather, send them to me privately using the email address along the sidebar.) 
Questions can be about anything under the sun – sex, drugs, rock ‘n roll (I couldn’t resist), bingeing, purging, proanas, promias, laxative abuse, body hair, bad breath, over exercising… you name it.  No topic is off limits — just be respectful and sincere.
Thank …read more