We publish high quality and balanced information in our blog posts after a thorough health researches by our health Experts.
Asbestos is present in a variety of products and buildings. If left undisturbed, it’s not harmful to health. But, it can cause very severe diseases if you inhale asbestos particles.
Asbestos is a silicate mineral that can be separated into fibers. The asbestos fibers are very durable, flexible, and strong. These long, thin fibers are also resistant to fire and heat. It appears in three main forms – brown (amosite), blue (crocidolite), and white (chrysotile). Each of these three types is dangerous to health.
Use of asbestos has been significantly reduced in the recent decades. This fibrous mineral has been used in various building, industrial, and consumer products. Besides, asbestos was used in automotive and maritime industry as well. It was even used for scientific purposes. Thus, it was used in:
People who have worked with products that contain asbestos are more likely to experience health effects. This is especially true if they were frequently exposed to asbestos for long periods of time. In general, those are people who have worked in the asbestos milling or mining industry. Those jobs involve installing or making asbestos products. The asbestos fibers get released from the processes involved in those jobs. They can also appear from workers’ clothes, so even the families of those workers can be affected.
Unsafe, long-term asbestos exposure is proven to have the harmful effect on human health. Once the asbestos fibers are inhaled, they become permanently captured in the lungs. There’s no way to remove these hazardous fibers from lungs. They get in the lower lung regions and cause various lung diseases. The most common health effect is asbestosis (fibrotic lung disease). They can also cause changes in pleura – the lining of the chest cavity. Long-term exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma and other lung cancers. These illnesses reduce respiratory function and can result in death. Unfortunately, there’s no cure for the asbestos-related diseases yet.
Asbestosis
When asbestos particles reach the lungs, they can form a scar-like tissue. This chronic lung disease is known as asbestosis. The formed tissue causes difficulty breathing by decreasing the elasticity of the lungs. The most common symptom of this illness is shortness of breath.
Lung cancer
Asbestos exposure increases the risk of getting lung cancer. Latency period is quite long. The lung cancer usually starts developing 20-30 years after asbestos exposure. Even the short-term exposures of a few months can lead to lung cancer.
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a relatively rare cancer that develops in mesothelial tissues. There are three main types of this disease:
Besides these 3 major types, mesothelioma can appear in testicles as well. Though, this is a very rare case.
Latency period of this aggressive cancer is generally 20-50 years. The outcome is usually fatal, as there is no cure for this severe illness. For more info on how asbestos exposure affects mesothelioma cancer, click MesotheliomaHelp.org.
There are also many indirect effects related to asbestos exposure. The increased blood flow resistance through the lungs can lead to heart enlargement. Asbestos can also cause various laryngeal and immune system effects.
As you can see, the health effects take a lot of time to develop. Asbestos-related diseases emerge at least ten years after exposure. The symptoms of these diseases are very similar to other health disorders. That makes them hard to diagnose, so many people detect them at an advanced stage. Sadly, then it may be too late.
A white, bright smile is something that we all dream of, and such a smile makes us feel more confident. By the way, it can make you look more youthful and cheerful as well. The look of your teeth can affect your entire image. Though, maintaining a luminous smile is not an easy task since the tooth enamel is porous. That makes our teeth prone to stain.
Nobody wants to see discolored, stained teeth. Teeth darkening and discolorization is a natural thing that goes with age, though. It’s often an inevitable outcome of aging you can’t avoid. But some foods and drinks can also discolor or stain your teeth. You should avoid those “teeth-staining foods” if you want to keep your teeth white.
The certain beverages and foods discolor our teeth because of the high level of acidity. Acidic foods and drinks can wear the enamel away and soften our teeth alike. This way the teeth become vulnerable to staining. Some foods and drinks contain various pigmented molecules or chromogens. Those compounds stick to the tooth enamel, coloring the teeth.
Read on for 5 foods and drinks that stain your teeth and dull your smile.
Both white and red wine can stain your teeth. Red wine has the deep red color that easily sticks to teeth. It’s even worse with the white wine. Besides the teeth-staining tannins, it contains some acid compounds that cause further stains. If you can’t avoid white and/or red wine, be sure to wash your mouth away with water after a glass of wine. You may also eat some food rich in protein (like cheese) while drinking a wine.
Coffee causes teeth stains due to its dark color, which comes from chromogens and tannins. The acidic nature of these compounds turns your teeth yellow. Believe it or not, tea is even worse for your pearly whites than coffee. This is especially true for the black tea, which is very rich in tannins. These plant-based compounds stick to teeth with ease thanks to the protein in enamel. They can erode the enamel of tooth and creates discoloration of the teeth as well.
Tips: Drink white or green tea, as they have a lower level of tannins. Consider drinking the coffee that has a to-go lid or lightening your black coffee with milk.
Dark colored berries like blueberries, cranberries, and blackberries may discolor your teeth. While these berries are chock-full of healthy antioxidants, they have serious “stain game.” Avoid eating them before a public appearance, when getting in touch with other people. That doesn’t mean you should completely discard this superfood. Just make sure when you eat it.
Sad news for those who like lasagna, pizza, or spaghetti. Tomato sauces like ketchup and pasta sauce can stain your teeth. That happens due to their intense acidity and bright red hue. The same goes for curries. Replace these color-wise foods with dark green vegetables such as lettuce and broccoli. You can also try white wine sauces instead or eat spinach beforehand to neutralize the acid. Another solution is to pop in a sugar-free or Xylitol gum afterward.
Fizzy and energy drinks contain diverse citric acids that can erode the enamel and make teeth vulnerable. Besides, those drinks are high in heavy sugars that encourage teeth decay and caries. This applies to Monster energy drinks, Soda, Gatorade, and dark fruit juices. Many sweets have the same effects, especially hard candies and cookies. If you cannot completely kick that bad habit, try to cut down on sugary drinks and delicious treats. It’s also a good idea to drink water or acidic drinks afterward to keep sugar away from your teeth. If you are an athlete, use a natural alternative (like coconut water) instead of energy drinks.
Apart from avoiding these foods and drinks, it’s important to maintain oral health. Dental habits, such as regular brushing and flossing, can help you get and maintain a bright smile. Also, make sure to visit your dentist for regular examinations and get the most out of your teeth.
Many beauty products and treatments come at a cost. Botox may reduce your wrinkles, but it also pumps your body full of chemicals. Tanning booths may darken your skin a few shades, but it also exposes you to potentially harmful UV radiation.
So if you notice your teeth aren’t quite as white as they used to be, you may be wondering what you can do about it without risking your health.
When you first notice your teeth aren’t pearly white anymore, start off with solidifying your brushing and flossing schedule. It may be that you just haven’t been giving your teeth the TLC they deserve. Make it a habit to brush at least twice a day and floss at least once a day. Within a few days, brushing and flossing will become habit and you won’t even have to think about it anymore. If your teeth whiten up with some regular flossing and brushing, then the problem is solved and you can be on your way.
If, however, your teeth still aren’t as white as they could be, invest in a whitening toothpaste. Don’t turn to home remedies that could cause accidental damage. Instead, purchase a high-quality whitening toothpaste. These toothpastes are safe for your teeth, and will gradually whiten your teeth over time. Since you’re already regularly brushing, whitening toothpastes fit easily into your routine. It typically takes about a month for results to begin to show, so be patient. If a month passes and your teeth still aren’t as white as they used to be, consider buying whitening strips from the drug store.
Over-the-counter whitening strips have much more dramatic results than whitening toothpastes. They are also typically safe for your teeth. Make sure to avoid any whitening strip with chlorine dioxide in it, as this will damage the enamel on your teeth. Whitening strips can cost upward of $40 per pack, but your money will be well spent. Directly follow the instructions on the package. If the initial application doesn’t sufficiently whiten your teeth, you may need to reapply the strips within a week or so.. As with most whitening solutions, whitening strips aren’t usually permanent. You’ll need to regularly whiten your teeth, typically once a month. Your tooth color can be maintained for longer periods of time if you floss and brush with a whitening toothpaste regularly.
Still not getting the white teeth you were looking for? Years of stains and buildup may make your teeth difficult to whiten. If that is the case, or if you’re looking for a quicker way to whiten your teeth, consider professional whitening. Find a trusted dentist, starting with a simple Google search such as “Aurora teeth whitening,” and make sure to discuss the process fully. Make sure that you understand how long the process will take and how much it will cost. Also ask how long the whitening will last, so you know if you need to make a follow-up appointment. A good dentist will ensure that the whitening treatment doesn’t damage your teeth, so you can have both healthy and white teeth.
