Whether you’re preparing for holiday mistletoe or are just in the mood for some love, you’re probably fully aware of the connection between the state of your mouth and the quality of your kisses. Still, a little reminder never hurt. Here’s the skinny on getting lucky without embarrassment (from your mouth, anyway)!

Kick the Smoking Habit

I’m sure you’re very familiar with the smoking lecture. Not only do tobacco products taste awful to your partner, but they put you at greater risk for oral cancer and periodontal (gum) disease. Why put so much effort into knocking your sweetheart’s socks off if you aren’t going to be around to pick them up? If you don’t kick the habit for your partner, do it for yourself.

Don’t Chew Gum

The best smooches are spur of the moment, so it’s best to be prepared for them. Besides, sugary gum can lead to tooth decay, AKA cavities. If you must chew gum (maybe you want your breath to be in top shape), choose a sugar-free variety.

Brush and Floss

Nothing leaves an impression like bad breath, but it’s not the kind of attention you want. Besides, healthy white teeth will help you build confidence in your smile. Brushing your teeth and gums is a good start, but take it a step further and floss each night. You’ll dislodge food particles and remove odor-causing, not to mention tissue- and tooth-destroying, bacteria. If you don’t have your toothbrush handy after you eat, at least rinse your mouth out with warm water. There are also a number of handy little dental products available for great breath on the go.

Take good care of your partner by caring for yourself. If you find that your gums are exceptionally tender or swollen, or if you have habitually bad breath, make an appointment with our office for a check up! These could be symptoms of a more serious problem. Give us a call at (510)881-1924 or email us at cvdental@sbcglobal.net today.

Best Regards,

Dr. Joseph A. Whitehouse

P.S. If you have any friends or family members who you feel could use our services, please don't hesitate to have them call us. We'll be sure to take good care of them.

This is a Dental Health Alert By Dr. Whitehouse. His web page can be found here.  His contact information can be found under "Dental" on this page.

Spending Out of Control?
by Rebecca A. Stanwyck, LCSW
January  2008
http://www.rebeccastanwyck.com/

The bills are beginning to arrive in the mail – do you have a post-holiday spending hangover? How well did you do at controlling your spending this holiday season? Whether or not you celebrate Christmas, there’s so much temptation to buy, buy, buy during the holiday shopping season, that many people end up spending more than they intend to. Some spend more than they will be able to pay for, and start off the New Year in debt.

The holiday season seems to be a time when our entire society indulges in a shopping binge, but for some people, overspending is a year-round habit. And like other habits of overindulging, e.g. those involving alcohol, drugs or food, what starts out as an occasional binge may get out of control, turning into compulsive behavior, and ultimately becoming an addiction.

In my experience, people who “shop ‘til they drop” and run their credit cards up to the limit are often trying to manage feelings of anxiety, depression, loneliness or low self-esteem, or just trying to feel better. They may have learned from experience that buying things and spending puts them in a better mood, at least temporarily. However, they can become trapped in a cycle of overspending, feeling guilty or uncomfortable about what they’ve done afterward, and then going on yet another shopping spree to try to relieve those negative feelings.

Compulsive shopping and spending can also occur when someone is in the manic phase of bipolar disorder, or may be related to a mental disorder called “compulsive hoarding”, where someone collects or hoards unreasonable quantities of unnecessary stuff, whether clothing, household items, or things most of us would consider junk or trash.

How can you tell if you’re a compulsive shopper? Behaviors that may indicate a problem include shopping when you’re feeling out of sorts, for a “pick-me-up”; frequently coming home with more purchases than you intended to buy; getting into arguments with others about your spending habits; lying about how much money you spent; or juggling accounts to accommodate spending. Feeling lost without your credit cards, and being unable to pay off the balance each month, are also warning signs that your spending is out of control.

What can you do if you think you have a problem with compulsive shopping or spending? Start by putting away the credit cards, and only pay for purchases with cash, check or debit card. Before you go to a store, make a list of what you need, and buy only what’s on the list. Try going for 30 days without buying anything (other than food, gas, or essential items). Can you do it?

Most people will need professional counseling and/or a self-help support group to deal with this problem. A counselor can help you identify the feelings behind your urges to shop or spend, and then work with you to develop healthier habits. Counseling can also help with related problems, like depression, bipolar disorder, low self-esteem, or other addictive behaviors you may have. There are Debtors Anonymous groups in most communities where you can find support from others who share this problem and have made a commitment to change their behavior. 

For more information about compulsive shopping or spending, and what to do about it, contact me at:

REBECCA A. STANWYCK, LCSW               www.rebeccastanwyck.com            510-287-2628

CONTACT INFORMATION:

 Rebecca A. Stanwyck, LCSW
21700 Redwood Road, Suite B
Castro Valley, CA 94546
PH:      510-287-2628
FAX:    510-247-9841
 

mail@rebeccastanwyck.com

Biographical Information
 for Rebecca Stanwyck