Health

Use These 4 Tips to Protect Your Dental Health in 2022

Published

4 weeks ago

July 18, 2022

Putting your oral health first is important. In fact, good oral health can actually play a significant role when it comes to preventing gum disease, tooth loss, cavities, or endodontic treatments. Furthermore, good dental hygiene can greatly improve your self-esteem.

Fortunately, there are simple things you can do to maintain good oral health. Continue reading to learn more.

Brush your teeth after meals

The American Dental Association recommends that you brush your teeth at least twice a day with toothpaste containing fluoride. Make sure to use a soft-bristled toothbrush to keep your mouth plaque-free and fresh.

While you should take your time when brushing your teeth, it’s also very important to avoid overbrushing them. Keep in mind that doing so can wear down the enamel, which plays a significant role in preventing cavities.

This then exposes your teeth to bacterial infection. Apart from wearing your enamel away, over-brushing can make you prone to pain by exposing the layer of dentin in your teeth. Therefore, be careful when brushing to lower the risk of getting an infection.

Visit the dentist regularly

To maintain good oral hygiene, it’s vital to schedule appointments with your dentist. This is usually recommended every six months and might include the removal of tartar and plaque. The dentist will examine your teeth and look for signs of gum disease, cavities, or any other dental health problems.

When visiting your dentist, make sure to mention any health issues you might be experiencing, since some of them might negatively impact your oral health. You can also visit your dentist in case you notice some changes in your dental health; for instance, tooth sensitivity, bleeding gums, or discoloration. Your dentist will examine your teeth and in case of discoloration, they can offer teeth whitening services.

Reduce your sugar intake

Reducing your sugar intake and switching to a healthier diet might be your goal. But have you considered it part of your oral hygiene routine? Note that the high amount of sugar found in processed foods, desserts, candies, and soft drinks can cause tooth decay.

Therefore, try to reduce your sugar intake, switch to natural sweeteners, or substitute them with low or zero sugar alternatives. Also, be cautious when eating starchy food like bread and chips as they can lead to tooth decay when they sit on your teeth for too long.

Floss your teeth

Flossing your teeth is as vital as brushing them. By flossing, you are able to get rid of bacteria and plaque that are in areas that you cannot reach with your toothbrush. Besides, flossing allows you to remove food particles stuck between your teeth and help you prevent bad breath.

Therefore, take your floss and slowly push it between your teeth and to your gum line, and gently hug each side of your tooth by moving up and down several times. Also, be very careful while flossing, avoid flossing quickly between your teeth as it can result in pain and you won’t get rid of plaque completely.

Final Words

Your smile is a tool that will help you create a fantastic first impression, and it all starts with good oral hygiene. What’s more, your oral health can affect your physical appearance as well as your self-esteem. Therefore, it’s crucial to set aside some time for your dental hygiene regimen. Brush your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride and a soft-bristled brush, reduce your sugar intake, floss, and more essentially, visit your dentist regularly.

Health

Limited Options for COVID-19 Vaccine Injury Victims

Published

3 days ago

August 13, 2022

Michelle Langton

Rolling out vaccines and booster shots across the U.S. marked crucial milestones in terms of healthcare and fighting the spread of COVID-19. However, an essential element is still missing: legal recourse for those who experience serious adverse side effects.

Current COVID-19 Vaccine Injury Claims

Currently, there are more than 1,300 pending injury claims related to side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine. They are waiting to be heard by the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, a government tribunal that handles public health emergencies.

To date, this tribunal has only handled two such cases. One alleged the plaintiff suffered from severe tongue and throat swelling following the vaccine, while the other alleged long-term shoulder pain. Plaintiffs lost both cases and were denied compensation.

Given the comparatively new nature of the COVID-19 vaccine, it is challenging for plaintiffs to prove that their injuries directly resulted from the vaccine. Combined with the lack of research on long-term side effects, it is unlikely that plaintiffs will be able to meet this burden of proof anytime in the near future.

How COVID-19 Vaccine Injury Claims Are Handled

Of interest is that claims related to the COVID-19 vaccine are being heard by the Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program (CICP) instead of the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, a no-fault government tribunal; known colloquially as “vaccine court.”

Formed in the late 1980s, the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program responded to diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus (DPT) vaccine claims. Pharmaceutical companies were listed as defendants in lawsuits related to vaccine side effects. However, the government created a separate entity to handle such cases when manufacturers threatened to stop producing vaccines altogether.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) clarified that the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program could not hear cases until the COVID-19 vaccine has been recommended for routine administration to children, per a 1986 vaccine law. Additionally, the COVID-19 vaccine would have to be subject to the same 75-cent tax imposed on other vaccines.

Compensation From the CICP

There are several differences between the two tribunals, which plaintiffs claim make the CICP inappropriate for COVID-19 vaccine injury litigation. Of these, compensation is one of the biggest causes for concern.

The Vaccine Injury Compensation Program has awarded injured plaintiffs more than $4 billion since its inception. In comparison, the CICP has only awarded compensation for 29 of 455 cases— that means that 92 percent of plaintiffs are deemed ineligible or denied compensation. Compensation ranged from $31 to nearly $2.3 million, with a median award of roughly $5,600.

This is partly because compensation options from the CICP are much more limited. Plaintiffs can only claim lost wages and out-of-pocket medical expenses up to $50,000 per year or death benefits up to $370,376 in the case of a vaccine-related fatality.

Differences Between Vaccine Injury Compensation Programs

Below are other key differences between the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program and the Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program:

Plaintiffs do not have the opportunity to testify in court
There is no independent judge or jury present
Pain and suffering-related damages are not covered
There is a limited right to appeal one’s case

This means that plaintiffs who file a case related to injuries allegedly caused by the COVID-19 vaccine are offered less compensation, less legal representation, and less recourse through appeals as opposed to plaintiffs who file a case for injuries caused by any other vaccine. Still, if you are experiencing symptoms related to the COVID-19 vaccine, it may be in your best interest to speak with an injury attorney.