By Nicole Catanese, Refinery29
.You brush your teeth, do a quick rinse with mouthwash, and floss (pretty much) every day. So, your teeth and your mouth are in tip-top shape, right? Well, hopefully if you were lucky enough to be born with the anti-cavity and never-a-root-canal genetic jackpot. But the truth is, doing what you can to ward off cavities and have a bling-y white smile is not (or should not) be your only focus. Your mouth is a straight shot to the rest of your body and what's happening in there could be a red flag for - or the instigator - of some potentially serious health concerns.
"There is an association between inflammation of the gum tissue and inflammatory processes in other parts of the body," says Gregg Lituchy, a cosmetic dentist at Lowenberg & Lituchy in NYC. And if you think about it, that makes sense - your mouth is literally a direct link to your insides. And it's a place where icky bad breath and post-eating gook thrives, which can then go well, everywhere.
Blog Posts by Refinery29
The Lazy Girl's Guide to a Delicious Dinner — Without Cooking
By Refinery29 | Shine Food – 14 hours agoBy Erin Phraner, Refinery29
Read More »from The Lazy Girl's Guide to a Delicious Dinner — Without Cooking
.Motivating to make dinner (or turn on the oven) in the heat of summer is hard. That's why easy no-cook cooking this time of yea is a no-brainer! Our go to lazy-girl meal of the moment: Crunchy Scallop Ceviche Tacos. They're loaded with fresh summery flavors and couldn't be simpler to make - just toss the ceviche ingredients in a bowl and let them hang out in the fridge for a few hours. When you come back, dinner's ready!
Crunchy Scallop Ceviche Tacos
Serves: 2 to 4
RELATED: 6 Easy & Delicious Recipes That Will Make Life SO Much Better
1 pound sea scallops, quartered
1 bunch radishes, very thinly sliced
1 shallot, minced
1 jalapeno, minced
1 cup multi-color grape tomatoes, quartered
1/2 cup thinly sliced scallions, white and light green parts only (about 3)
1/2 cup fresh orange juice
1/2 cup fresh lime juice
2 teaspoons salt
4 to 6 crunchy taco shells
1 to 2 avocados, sliced
Lime wedges, for serving
1. Toss the scallops, radishes, shallot,Tired of Complaining? 7 Ways to Shake it Off & Be Happier
By Refinery29 | Healthy Living – Fri, Jun 14, 2013 10:09 AM EDTBy Eyla, Refinery29
Read More »from Tired of Complaining? 7 Ways to Shake it Off & Be Happier
.In the age of constant communication, 24/7 jobs, and mandatory multitasking, finding a moment for reflection is almost impossible - almost. Courtney Somer made mental wellness her mission, creating Eyla, an online resource packed with inspiration and real-life tools to maintain your personal peace. We'll be sharing some of this goodness every week on R29 Guest Stars, so whether you're looking get spiritual, clear your mind, or just read some motivating interviews, Eyla is here to help you shine brighter.
I've recently become much more aware of what I say, and I admit that sometimes, I would not want to be the one listening! The fact is we all complain sometimes, but lately, I've noticed people that complain constantly. Starting with a focus on one thing, and when that is resolved, the complaint is just moved onto the next item, topic or person. Some people can complain up to 30 times a day.
RELATED: How To Be Deeply, Blissfully Happy All Year Long (Seriously!)
SoSplenda Scare: Is This Artificial Sweetener Really Safe?
By Refinery29 | Healthy Living – Fri, Jun 14, 2013 9:39 AM EDTBy Laura Argintar, Refinery29
Read More »from Splenda Scare: Is This Artificial Sweetener Really Safe?
.We've always been a bit wary of artificial sweeteners - the key word here being "artificial" - but due to the lack of valid research, we haven't exactly banned Splenda from our lives or anything. But now, we might finally think twice about our fake sugar habit, as the Center for Science in the Public Interest has now officially downgraded sucralose's safety rating from "safe" to "caution." Meaning that because of Splenda's potential health risks, we should consider cutting our usage down to just a packet a day.
RELATED: 3 Cancer Scares that You Need to Know About - NOW
And, don't think that switching to another artificial sweetener such as Sweet 'N Low or Equal will be any better for you - the CSPI also recommends avoiding saccharin, aspartame, and acesulfame potassium. But, before we start a substitute-sugar hysteria, it should be noted that there are still mixed opinions and skepticism surrounding the safety of artificial sweeteners. The research andThe Best Skin-Perfecting CC Creams for Your Skin Tone!
By Refinery29 | Beauty on Shine – Thu, Jun 13, 2013 12:01 PM EDTBy Megan McIntyre, Refinery29
We warned you this day was coming, and looks like it's here: CC cream world domination is upon us. Like BBs before them, the new batch of color correcting face perfectors started off with a trickle, launching a cream here and a cream there, and then exploded onto the scene in the course of a few short weeks. Pretty much all of our go-to brands now have a CC to their name, and those that don't appear to have their own in the works.
RELATED: Here's The Surprising Way You're Screwing Up Your Skin
Still confused by all this double-alphabet madness? We'll break it down for you: CC cream, a.k.a. color-correcting cream, has more pigment than your BB (blemish or beauty balm). It is targeted at those women looking to hide skin tone unevenness, redness, acne scars, and hyperpigmentation. Just like the BB before it, CC cream provides sun protection, hydration, and treatment benefits in one handy-dandy cream.
Now that you know what it is, check out our list of
Read More »from The Best Skin-Perfecting CC Creams for Your Skin Tone!Price is Right! 12 Under-$50 Jewels to Ice Out Your Summer Wardrobe
By Refinery29 | Fashion – Thu, Jun 13, 2013 11:05 AM EDTBy Annie Georgia Greenberg, Refinery29
The hot sun always make you want to wear as little as possible. But the opposite goes in the bling department. We suggest dressing up your basic, breathable summer frocks with eye-catching jewels that won't break the bank.
RELATED: 12 Affordable Dresses To Wear All Summer Long!
And, with pieces under $50 that look as good as the 22 we found, more is definitely better - just not when it comes to the price tag.
More from Refinery29:
How To Dress For YOUR Body Type! 15 Must-Know Tricks
An Outfit Guide To Wearing Summer Blazers
How To Spring Clean Your Body - Inside And Out
Sale Season Is Upon Us - & These 7 Finds Made Our Hearts Sing
Read More »from Price is Right! 12 Under-$50 Jewels to Ice Out Your Summer Wardrobe7 Cellulite Lies You Need to Stop Believing—NOW
By Refinery29 | Summer Living – Wed, Jun 12, 2013 3:23 PM EDTBy Erika Stalder, Refinery29
Read More »from 7 Cellulite Lies You Need to Stop Believing—NOW
.Orange peel syndrome. Cottage cheese thighs. Hail damage. There are a lot of pet names for cellulite, each of them unappetizing enough to make us not want to talk about the phenomenon at all. That Photoshop magically smoothes the skin of every woman professionally photographed, well, that means as a society, we don't have to look at it either. But, amidst all this if-you-ignore-it, it-will-cease-to-exist mindset, lie many myths about who gets cellulite and why - and an estimated $62 million industry that makes devices to banish it.
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Do any of these devices work? Is cellulite the deserved curse of those who gain a bit of weight?
We talked to three leading dermatologists who specialize in cellulite research and treatment: Dr. Cheryl Karcher, a New York-based aesthetic medicine expert and cellulite researcher who also holds masters degrees in nutrition and metabolism, Dr. David McDaniel, director of the InstituteLong Hair on Little Boys: Why People Freak Out About It
By Refinery29 | Beauty on Shine – Wed, Jun 12, 2013 12:23 PM EDTBy Jada Wong, Refinery29
Read More »from Long Hair on Little Boys: Why People Freak Out About It
.Rachel Zoe's Instagram is filled with pics of her adorable tot Skyler (and her celeb friends), but now some of her followers are unjustifiably upset about the too-long length of his hair. Consider this Jenna Lyons-gate 2.0 - remember, when Fox News called out Lyons for letting her son wear nail polish - if you will.
In Zoe's recent pics, two-year-old Skyler sports near shoulder-length curls, and some commenters are calling mom out for not cutting his hair, thus making him look like a girl. Some choice comments: "Cut his hair. He looks like a girl," "STOP MAKING YOUR BOY LOOK LIKE A GIRL," and "Youre [sic] a terrible mom. Do you know how hard youre [sic] f*cking him over?" Of course, some onlookers are meaner than others, and one of the beautiful things about the Internet is being able say anything you want anonymously. But, seriously, what it boils down to is this: Skyler is Zoe and Rodger Berman's son, and as parents, they have the final (and only) say on hisHow to Stop Biting Your Nails, Once and for All
By Refinery29 | Beauty on Shine – Wed, Jun 12, 2013 12:09 PM EDTBy Bren Lee Gomez, Refinery29
Read More »from How to Stop Biting Your Nails, Once and for All
.With nail biting recently being identified as a form of OCD, it's easy to understand why this bad habit is so hard to break. For lifetime biters, the act is comforting, automatic, stress-relieving, and seemingly impossible to quit. But with the popularity of nail art stronger than ever and the countless products to put and keep your nails in rehab, it's time to quit for good - here's how to do it.
Identify Your Triggers
Nail biters have all tried the popular treatments: nail polish that discourages biting by leaving a bad taste in your mouth, sitting on your hands, chewing gum instead of chewing your nails. Been there, done that, still biting your nails? Pay attention to what makes you start gnawing. Did you notice a hangnail? Is it an uneven ridge that you just have to file down with your teeth until it's even? Does it happen when you're anxious during suspenseful movies or bored during long drives? Figure out what makes you start biting, and deal withBy Rachel Zar, Refinery29
Read More »from Burning Love: What to Do when Sex Hurts
.Quick: describe what sex feels like in one word. Hopefully, you chose something along the lines of "fantastic" or "orgasmic." But for some, words like "uncomfortable" or "intolerable" would be far more accurate.
If your sexual encounters are met with irritating or even excruciating pain, there's a wide range of reasons this could be happening - from a lack of lubrication to a rare disorder, or even a partially intact hymen. But, most importantly, there are ways to fight back and reclaim an amazing, pain-free sex life.
RELATED: Prone To Yeast Infections? Here's What You Need To Know NOW
The first step is to figure out what's wrong. More often than not, especially if you've never experienced painful sex before, your symptoms are caused by an infection. "Vaginal or pelvic inflammation from a yeast infection, bacterial vaginosis, or chlamydia can cause significant pain," says Dr. Leah Millheiser, assistant clinical professor at Stanford University Medical Center
