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17 · Thursday, April 19, 2012 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com Spring is here, the sun is shining and everyone is smiling! Did you know that April is Oral Health Month? Many activities and oral health campaigns take place this month. Dr. Arun Narang & Associates was among several dentists that participated in the "Brush-a mania" event where we visited schools and put on presentations about the importance of good oral habits and regular visits to the dentist for check-ups and cleanings. Preventive dentistry is the cornerstone for overall oral and physical health. Research has shown an association between periodontal diseases and other chronic inflammatory conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer's disease. We are also living longer so the need for regular dental care is even more important. As we age, our teeth naturally become darker and duller. The colour of our teeth is also strongly affected by lifestyle and habits. Smoking, medications, coffee, tea and red wine will certainly stain teeth. If you're a tea drinker, just look at the inside of your teacup! Over the last decade tooth whitening has become a very popular way to enhance one's smile. When you're proud of the way your teeth look, you will smile more. Studies have shown that people who smile more look more confident, exude more warmth and are more successful socially and professionally. "Tooth whitening doesn't correct dental problems or make you healthier, but it can certainly change the way you look and feel about yourself" ­says Dr. Arun Narang. Almost everyone can be a candidate for tooth whitening. There are many different systems available to help you achieve that brilliant white smile; from take home do-ityourself kits, to in-office whitening like ZOOM teeth whitening, that will take you three to eight shades lighter in one-to-two hours. At Oakville Dental Arts we offer complimentary consultations. Dr. Arun Narang will gladly assess you to see if you are a good candidate for teeth whitening. Call us for more details 905-337-3511 or visit us online at www.oakvilledentalarts.com Advertorial Why you should report serious and unexpected side effects (NC) ­ Health products are a necessary part of life for many adults and children suffering from infections, injuries or ongoing chronic illnesses. Health products include both prescription and nonprescription medications, biologics (including fractionated blood products, as well as vaccines), natural health products and radiopharmaceuticals. As consumers, we rely on modern medicine to cure what ails us. But since anyone can suffer from side effects to a health product, we need to pay careful attention to how our bodies react. Something as harmless as an itch or upset stomach could be a sign that something is wrong. The first step to understanding your symptoms is to become more aware of potential side effects when using health products such as prescription drugs, over-the-counter medication or natural health products. Asking your health professional is a component of that. Remember, serious and unexpected side effects can show up in different ways. A side effect could appear soon after you start a health product, and you might suspect a connection right away. For example, you might start having severe diarrhea shortly after starting a medicine. But, on the other hand, a side effect might take years to develop, and it might be a while before you start wondering if something is going on. Some side effects come about because some health products can interact with other health products, or with some foods, or with health conditions like diabetes or heart problems. And sometimes there isn't really a side effect at all; the symptoms could show up because you're developing another illness at the same time, and mistakenly think the health product you have been using was the cause. If you notice any unusual symptoms after taking prescription drugs or other health products, seek medical advice right away and ask your doctor or pharmacist about reporting the side effect to Health Canada. You can also report it directly to Health Canada by visiting www.health.gc.ca/medeffect, or by calling 1-866-234-2345 toll free. Side effects reported to Health Canada are used to detect and act on potential drug safety issues that were previously unknown. This helps to improve the safe use of health products for all Canadians. Kids need to protect their eyes from UV damage too: CNIB (NC)--Most of us know that UV rays from the sun can damage our skin, but few realize that those same rays can damage their eyes and lead to permanent vision loss ­ and fewer still know their children's eyes are at risk too. "UV rays have a cumulative effect over time and can lead to eye diseases that can cause serious vision loss," says Dr. Keith Gordon, Vice President of Research at CNIB. "CNIB has been carrying that message to Canadians for years ­ but many people still don't realize that children need to protect their vision from UV damage as well." According to Dr. Gordon, children in particular need protection, as their eye tissues are more susceptible to sun damage, and they tend to be outdoors more often. Excessive lifetime exposure to UV rays has been linked to the development of agerelated macular degeneration (AMD), cataracts and other eye conditions, which is why it's never too early for kids to wear sunglasses outdoors. But there is something that can be done to help prevent vision loss caused by UV, says Dr. Gordon. "The best line of defense for both kids and adults is a pair of quality sunglasses with at least 99 Protect your child's eyes... they will thank you per cent UVA and UVB protection," he says. "And those sunglasses should be worn year-round, even in cloudy weather, because UV rays are present at all times." To help spread that message across Canada, CNIB is encouraging Canadians from coast to coast to throw on their sunglasses this May and take part in Shades of Fun ­ a month-long campaign designed to raise awareness about UV damage and raise funds in support of vital CNIB services for Canadians who are blind or partially sighted. For more information on UV protection and how you can get involved with Shades of Fun, visit shadesoffun.ca.