Toothaches, Sores and Woes

 

Finally, I  am putting together an epic post about all things well,  mouth pain.  I had heard of a many people getting tooth aches, root canals, tooth decay, cavities and more lately.  Even mouth sores seem to be more prevalent and in myself as well.  I even had a bout of the worst cold sore ever, during the holidays last December.  Now stress had a lot to do with it and being tired and run down, but I find sugar and sweets can also lead to poor mouth health.

Too much chocolate and pop can also lead to a mouthful of problems from canker sores to tooth decay and cavities. It's not always though, even with better tooth care you might still end up at the dentist.  I had to have a root canal and have always brushed and flossed, and then the affected tooth started acting up and the dentist told me they recommended a root canal.

The only thing is I have read extensive literature that root canals cause many other health issues and are quite dangerous procedures.  Root-canaled teeth are dead teeth that can become silent incubators for highly toxic anaerobic bacteria.  You might be interested to read up on the information that over 25 million root canals are done on patients in North America.  It is an expensive procedure and I likely think dentists recommend this for that reason,  They also can be painful but the dental associations claim that there are not illnesses caused by root canals or there is an pain to the procedure.  There are many more nerve endings in the mouth area than was previously thought when dental practises implemented root canals in the early 1900's.  Information dentists are provided with is not as extensive as necessarily thought. 

Anyways, I am not here to dispute the dental associations or tell anyone what to do in the situations of tooth aches but if you cannot see the dentist due to lack of dental coverage or it's just not as serious to spend your savings on a small tooth ache or mouth sore, then here are some ways to ease your pain.

Massage your gums from the outside of your mouth, on your cheek where the pain is occurring.  Sometimes, this can bring some relief, but don't push hard or persist with this as you could aggravate your tooth ache but do keep you mouth brushed and clean.  Also avoid eating things that are hard snacks like corn nuts and avoid sugary treats.  Avoid smoking cigarettes, as the smoke can lead to infection and isn't helping  your own immune system to heal anything. Keep flossing even though you might have pain, it's imperative no food lingers around the affected tooth.

Many home remedies are available on the internet, and I will provide some links as well and some things that might seem like a miracle but is not a substitute to a proper dental visit.

The good old salt and warm water mouth rinse definitely helps to cleanse your mouth.  Try a high quality sea salt too and your mouth will actually absorb some of it, which isn't bad if you are using a natural and high quality source.  It's actually good for you.

I do know a mix of clove oil and vegetable or canola oil on a cotton ball, stuffed into your mouth where the affected tooth is works.  Leave it there and relax for an hour.  The clove oil does have to be diluted in this way to be safe and not too strong to apply, as it is strong stuff clove oil has been an old-world dentist remedy for thousands of years.  If you don't have clove oil, perhaps a whole clove ground up will work.  **Do Not- grind clove oil in a plastic lid in the coffee grinder or pour clove oil into a plastic of any type.  It will melt it and cause gauges where the plastic and cloves oil reacts.  True.

Cinnamon is also a very useful spice and mixed with garlic and water can be an effective paste to apply to an affected tooth.  Here's a few more things to try to get rid of toothache pain: Home Remedies and more information about tooth ache care here: Homemade Treatments

How about canker sores? I had a horrendous canker sore underneath my tongue that hurt badly, that I ended up speaking with a lisp on my sales calls.  So for clarity and enjoyment of a conversation, canker sores are not working for you on that.  Also some canker or teeth sores can cause one to have worse breath than normal, especially when your mouth dries out. 

Apparently, canker sores can be from stress, not eating properly so malnutrition or even brushing teeth too hard, poor dental hygiene or a compromised immune system.  I also notice that if I eat too many tomatoes I end up with at least one canker, so perhaps with some people it's acid in some fruits or vegetables that can aggravate them on. Sugar, again doesn't help anything to do with the mouth.

Gargling with hot water and salt is what I have always done to clean and get rid of canker sores but there are some "Natural Mouthwashes for canker sores" and found there are many items in your kitchen that you can make a natural and healing mouthwash right here:  Homemade Mouthwash     
and also here are 3 great tasting mouthwashes you can make and try out: Tasty DIY Mouthwash .

Lastly, if nothing else works try an extra strength ibuprofen or Tylenol and get off your feet.  Restings will most times also help, as being on your feet or sitting upright tightens and uses muscles in your face.  That tends to be when throbbing starts, so laying down and just relaxing gets rid of the blood out of your face and mouth is good.

Now too hot or cold foods are not recommended but perhaps icing the outside of the cheek of the affected area can also help but heating the area is not recommend as this can cause more problems.  Especially if it's already warm, but I would recommend going to the doctor if the area is warm or you have a fever.  That means there is a possibility of infection or abscess and this should be treated as very serious considering that the infections translates to poison to your body.

Poison in your blood stream from an infected tooth can cause tooth loss, jaw bone damage, other teeth can be damaged, sinus problems and even heart damage and more!  It is serious, so still if you cannot get into a dentist in cases of emergency be sure to see your doctor.  They can provide you antibiotics to get rid of the infection and swelling of your face or even recommend hospitalization, if it's that bad.  Here's what you can expect to if you are facing an certain abscesses in your mouth: Dental Abscess . Please take proper care of your tooth pain.  Good Luck!

Happy Thanksgiving Weekend!

Hi Everyone,

I hope you are all having a Happy Thanksgiving  ~ October in Canada and my American friends celebrate it in November.  I didn't eat any meat dishes, no turkey, no ham, as I am still on my vegetarian kick.  I had not eaten meat at any time all year and I was able to eat plenty of protein in other forms, no problem.  I made sure to have legumes and tofu.

So,  for Thanksgiving, I roasted a plethora of vegetables or sauteed dishes for my shared Thanksgiving dinner.  I had met a new friend and we paired up some food and made a nice dinner party out of it.  I also enjoyed a few glasses of  Pinot Grigio by Beringer.

Last week, I had promised a post about 'Tooth Pain'. What do you know I didn't get to that this past as, again have been extremely busy.  I will be working on that this week as soon as I clear my bookkeeping tasks.  Sorry for the delay!!

Happy Thanksgiving Celebrations & Cheers~!

Weekend Post

First, just a quick update on my salsa project.  I have made many different varieties of salsa and I calculated my costs on canning salsa, and this is definitely the way to go if you are on a budget. However, if you would rather tune into your favourite television show or you are busy as it is, then this might eat up your downtime.

I do rather enjoy being in a clean kitchen and canning.  In fact, I preclean the kitchen for any cooking reason such as baking or when doing a big meal.  I just hum a tune or get into my own mind space and tidy and clean.  Sometimes it can be enjoyable, and it is especially better to cook in an organized, clean and tidy kitchen.

So, currently I have already harvested most of my garden and dried herbs.  I actually was watching a blue-jay bird,  hop all over my garden pots looking for something to eat.  He or she keeps coming back, and so I try to sneak a picture but the bird takes off when I have a camera.  It is an ongoing thing to try to catch this bird in a picture.

I must purchase a food processor because I don't have one.  It's rather silly because I know how much faster the task could be, when preparing salsa or many various recipes that require that tool.  So when foods that require pulverizing or chopping in a recipe, it takes me somewhat longer to prepare.  So, I must try to budget for even a small food processor very soon.  I was thinking that could be my Christmas gift to myself, as it turns out that most gifts to myself are household implements I need.

One thing I would like back is a book I lent out.  Isle of Woman, which by my favourite author Piers Anthony.  I asked a couple times and got the same answer, that it was lost and I had combed my house over with no success (just to be sure I was not accusing unrightfully). There are more to the series so I will probably repurchase that gem one day.

Well, this weekend I am just going to finish up a few things that are past due.  My personal company has been very much needing my time.  Organizing is due as soon as I am completely finished fall and winter preparations, but that being said there is always something more to do....... and love chocolate is one of those things.

I have sampled various chocolate bars, including Godiva dark chocolate bar, Excellence Hazelnut chocolate bar (GIANT), and more at work as someone there had returned from their vacation to England and brought in the most delicious chocolates. I had two pieces of that dark chocolate!  WOW, talk about fresh and creamy. It is called Cotsworld Chocolate: Cotswold Chocolate Company
I would love to hear what your favourite chocolate is!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Game Time Quick Salsa

I haven't had salsa for some time!  I have picked up all the ingredients for salsa making and canning it up in jars.  I also freeze it if I run out of energy or time, and need to finish using up all the tomatoes.  Otherwise, I prepare a couple jars every evening and set them in the water bath canner pot.  I skipped today because I was just a little too tired from all the running around at the markets yesterday.

Now, you don't have to do what I do and can these up for winter.  In fact I don't preserve the following recipe I am sharing.  I have a variety of recipes, but  you certainly can make a small batch or bowl of any type salsa to enjoy while you skip the fast-food type snacks. You don't have to buy everything prepared and pay extra even if you don't have half of these ingredients.

If produce is too expensive where you are, make the canned version and if it's not fit for eating like a snack to you, serve it over grilled chicken with veggies and rice! I have been known to serve or bring salad type salsa and chips to parties, brimming with corn, avacado and more colorful peppers!  I guess I was bringing my own snack, because the greasy wings and fried foods were good in moderation too but I prefer to pig out on salsa and chips!

This one happens to be fast and gives you an alternative if you don't have ALL fresh ingredients, and if you have a container of this in the fridge prepared in advance, it's quickly ready and easy to devour.  My tip is to not just dip the chip, but load the chip with huge heaping portions of salsa.  I like it spicy and this makes it much healthier for you and you will get satisfied faster!

Game Time Salsa

Prep: 10 minutes

-3 medium ripe tomatoes, finely chopped  (tip: you can use a variety of tomatoes for optimum flavour)
OR 1 (14.5 oz./ 430 ml) can of diced tomatoes
-1 medium white onion chopped OR any type of onion such as red & green onions
-1 -3 jalapenos peppers, seeded and finely chopped OR omit spicy peppers and add a tsp. of chili powder
-1- 3 tbsp. fresh chopped cilantro OR 15 ml- 30 ml dried cilantro
-2 cloves of garlic OR a tsp. of garlic powder.
-1 tbsp. (15 ml) of freshly squeezed lemon or lime OR lemon or lime juice
-1/4 tsp. (1 ml.) salt
-pepper to taste

Cumin to taste is optional, but very much a flavour of Mexico.  If you have chosen to use the chili powder instead of spicy peppers,  skip the cumin as it's already in chili powder.  Sometimes it's better to let salsa sit and simmer all the flavours together, and other times just chilled is good enough.  Eat with tortilla chips or vegan crackers.  If you still include cheese in your diet, some grated cheese melted on the tortilla chips is very nice to add and will make up for the salsa if you did not use all fresh ingredients.

Directions:  In a medium bowl stir together tomatoes, onion, jalapeno, cilantro, lemon juice and salt.  Serve with chips.  Makes 2 cups.


So, if you are in a rush this week and still want to keep eating relatively healthy try this out!
Have a great week!

Preparations and Organizing for Winter

I hope it wasn't difficult getting going this morning,.... did you get to bed at a good time last night?  Did you have your morning coffee?  The weather was nice where I am, although I am hearing the crispy leaves fall to the ground now one by one.  We are steadily approaching fall weather.

I have actually been getting together my to do lists this past weekend, doing chores, getting at harvesting the garden and overall organizing for colder weather.  I did some painting for crafts to sell, as I will need to get that completed in time for any winter market, craft or online sales.  I still will be needing a little fall cheer such as a pumpkin or a couple of gords.

So, how do you get ready for the snow to fly?  Is it vehicle preparations, home repairs and chimney cleaning, garden harvesting, yard work or canning.  It might be a little early to start getting your warm clothing ready, but I thought today we could go over the list!

It's still September but that can go by really fast.  We find that no one is willing to drive to garage sales in snow storms, so some people are still promoting their garage sales for fall.  I am doing the same on Kijiji.ca.  Also, if you are moving or thinking of moving, it's nice to do that  prior to bad weather.  So perhaps, purging is perfect to do now and seeing what extra money you can acquire is going to be beneficial.

Money management would be another post, but if you are saving or reinvesting in areas where you will make money, instead of spending it foolishly going into winter that is recommended.  At least in Canada as we have long winters.

All through the year, I am watching what I am spending and what it is I am being charged but even so, it's a good time to review receipts or statements to do an overview of what you spent. For example, pay attention to fine print and make sure not to get yourself into a contract, that you cannot back out of.  I am noticing my service provider said they had a price increase, and they didn't notify me.  I reviewed the billing history and I believe I caught them charging me an overage of $12 in total.  If the price increase was as of recent, the total in adjustments - although that doesn't seem to be apparent but once calculated seems the price was increasing over the past months.   That money could be used towards something else.

 Then you can try to save some when it comes to holiday shopping, and perhaps if you have not done so you can save money in areas by bundling your services or taking advantage of promotions.  Then if you don't like how the services turned out you can cancel in springtime.  It's nice to save during the long winter months when bills and groceries are generally higher prices.  I also try to buy some pantry items when on sale in the fall.  Then I have most everything and don't need to pay higher prices near Christmas.  These things could be even as simple as a can of cranberry sauce or spices that you need for holiday dinners.

So today, I am not going to cover so much of the indoor preparedness list, but mainly the vehicle and outdoor winter preparing list.  There may be limited time you find to complete your outdoor tasks, and before it gets uncomfortably cold or there is little to no stock in the stores for the items you need it's good to get that out of the way.  I am not saying you have to purchase everything, but some items will save you time later on.

 Perhaps, you are stocking some firewood so that you be comfortable when it's very cold, and you can enjoy your indoor hobbies.  I like to obtain my dry firewood, and put it to the side. In my downtime, I should be finishing knitting projects of years past, as well as taking up writing an e-book this winter, but right now time is of the essence and we proceed to "button up the hatches" as they say.

Some plans can sure get altered in times of emergency, such as the flooding that happened here in Alberta.  I was prepared, and hence didn't have to rush around looking for supplies, or pay top dollar for anything. I barely made a move during the disaster, and toiled away at my upgrading courses.
I noticed even I could have been a bit more prepared for such instances, such as more firewood.  It's time to replenish some items you may have had to use, like batteries or candles. Water containers, drinking water and water filters are essential and should be kept ready all the time.  Again, I would recommend you do a Google search for a more in depth list for your home preparedness kit.

 In winter emergency situations, winter can call for perhaps more emergency items, so it's best to be prepared.  You might need heat, and if there is no electricity or fireplace, then it's best to have candles lit and stay in a smaller room to keep it warm enough.  I have done this before when an apartment building I was living at had every last heater freeze as it was that cold.   It's best to sort through your emergency items and take inventory.  Don't forget the pets, they also require food, medications and items for emergency!

Cleaning up the yard, doing your garden work and cultivating your garden are all part of fall preparation chores to do.  These are things to definitely finish off now, if not already and also tidying your garage, pack up the yard and overall de-cluttering the outdoors.  I also purchase canning jars, freezer bags, and items needed if you haven't already.  I have a case on hand, a canner and now I will  look out for good prices on produce from the market and get to storing food in the evenings.  This way you make use of your outdoor daylight hours, and then work on the food prepping little by little in the evening.  If you have a freezer to fill, and a family to feed then purchasing vegetables by the case would be ideal, such as green peppers for spaghetti or tomatoes for all kinds of meals. The whole family can help and you'll be done in not time.

So, here are some things you might need to prepare to do, but not limited to,  for the outdoors and winter vehicle preparation : add in your trunk an ice scraper, gloves,  a small snow shovel(s), de-icing compound, waterproof the floor mats in your vehicles, checking and replacing your vehicle batteries, checking and changing your seasonal tires to appropriate winter tires, and booking your appointments ahead of time for vehicle maintenance.  When it's cold or could get cold it's good to keep your gas tank full.  This way in a situation you have it and to prevent water freezing in the fuel lines.  You can get your bags of sand or kitty litter ready to put in your trunk for weight purposes, and to use for preventing tires slippage, jumper cables, tire chains, flares, flashlights, warm jacket, tuque or hat, scarf, snow boots and blanket(s) are also all good to store. You can decide to bag certain things in a plastic tote or bags, to keep them fresh, clean and dry.

You may also decide to invest in a first aid kit or put one together yourself, and have a jug of water readily available. You wouldn't want a frozen jug of water in the trunk so perhaps put it by the door everyday and take it with you. If you feel you need some non-perishable food or snacks, you could make yourself a cooler or backpack full of them, and take that with you everyday too.  Include yourself some money, like change or a calling card to use for payphones even if you have a cell phone.  You can depend on your cell phone, but in times of a snow storms or if you're out of the towers reach, your phone may not get signal and if you had seen a payphone you can make a necessary emergency call to 911.

Now if you live somewhere it doesn't snow then you are looking at a mild winter version of preparing but that is not to say it isn't your stormy season.  You may have to be weary of other weather conditions like hurricanes, hail or rain.  You might want to still have food, water, and other emergency items you see fit ready in your vehicle, and definitely research other things you might need in your conditions.  We do spend a lot of time commuting, so it's not just limited to family vacations that we may be stuck inside our vehicles on the freeway or need those items in general for any situations that arise.  It's better to be safe, than sorry and better to be comfortable,  than uncomfortable.

That will conclude today's post and now that we got the hard work out of the way; checking your lists now, could save you an extra trip or could save your life!

 I will be back next week... trying for Monday!!!