When it comes to looking after our health, we automatically think about improving our eating habits and getting more exercise in. But we don’t only have to look after our internal organs, but also our eyes, ears, and teeth too. Basically, all the things we take for granted can deteriorate rapidly once problems occur. And what’s worse is that there may be every day actions you take now that could be ruining the future of your health. Let’s take a look at some of the things you might be doing that have these adverse effects.
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Eyes
One of the worst things you can do to your eyes is to sleep in daily contacts or leave your contacts in for longer than you are supposed to. You may not feel like they hurt, but over time it will ruin your eyes. Sleeping in contacts not only stops oxygen getting to your eyes but also makes you much more susceptible to eye infections. Some eye infections and certain bacteria can lead to permanent corneal scarring and even vision loss. It takes two minutes to remove contacts, so don’t skip it. And always wear sunglasses when out in the sun, especially when skiing too. You can actually sunburn your eyes and damage your sight permanently. The same goes for staring at computer screens, smartphones, and the television for long periods of time. All can cause dry or red eyes, blurred vision, pain, and headaches. Give your eyes a break as they’re one of the most important assets you have. And visit your optometrist once a year so they can check behind your eyes for any underlying problems.
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Ears
Those two things stuck either side of our head are something we often take for granted. But once you start losing your hearing, you start to realize just how important those funny looking things are. There is a lot of evidence out there that proves that cranking up the volume on your headphones is severely damaging to your ears. Loss of hearing happens when the minuscule hair cells inside your ear get damaged or die. Listening to loud music is one of the biggest concerns when it comes to your ears. There are many ways how your headphones can lead to hearing loss. Always listen to music at below 70 decibels or 60% or less of the highest volume. And opt for large headphones instead of ear buds. Tinnitus can be a warning sign of hearing loss, so if you hear ringing or buzzing in your ears, always get it checked out by the doctor.
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Teeth
We all want that gleaming white Hollywood smile, so why, more often than not, do we fail to take care of our teeth properly? We might want the simple fix of whitening, but that can still hide a multitude of problems. Gum health is essential for a good life. Healthy gums are light pink in color and protect bacteria from getting into our teeth. If yours are red or bleeding, you may have gum disease. Periodontal (gum) disease makes you at higher risk of cardiovascular diseases and respiratory infections. Always see a dentist if you think you have a problem with your gums. There are solutions to gum disease if it hasn’t gone too far. And needless to say, smoking, candy and fizzy soda will all stain and erode your teeth in the long term. So ditch the dirt now. Look after your teeth with great oral hygiene and regular dental appointments. Because, after all, it’s no fun being gummy at any age but a baby.
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