Source: http://www.webhealthcentre.com
Personal hygiene is the first step to good grooming and good health. Elementary cleanliness is common knowledge. Neglect causes problems that you may not even be aware of. Many people with bad breath are blissfully unaware of it. Some problems may not be your fault at all, but improving standards of hygiene will control these conditions. Dandruff is a case in point. More often than you know, good looks are the result of careful and continuous grooming.
Every external part of the body demands a basic amount of attention on a regular basis. Here are some grooming routines and some complaints associated with neglect.
Teeth Have you heard of the sixty-second battery operated wonder brush? It has been analysed that it takes only that long to give your teeth a good brush. You have to hold the brush to your teeth and say cheese (and then perhaps S-A-U-C-E for the brush to get a good scrub inside!). |  |  |
Well, whether it is a neem twig or battery brush, you cannot give brushing a miss.
Brush teeth twice a day and rinse well after every meal. Brushing before going to bed is important. (Especially recommended for people with a sweet tooth). For normal teeth this is adequate.
While brushing, pay attention to the fact that you are getting rid of the food particles stuck in between the teeth and in the crevices of the flatter teeth at the back, the molars and pre molars. Brush down on the upper teeth and brush up on the lower teeth. Use a circular motion. Pay attention to the tongue and the inner surface of teeth as well.
The brush should have resilient bristles. It should be rinsed well and left to dry after use. There are no perfect toothpastes or powders. Use one without harsh abrasives or strong antiseptics.
Nails For horny, largely vestigial growths at the tips of your fingers, they are pretty important. For reasons of hygiene and for the multi million dollar cosmetic industry.
It takes five months for nails to replace themselves. Grow nails only if you can keep them clean. (Sridhar Chillal has clawed himself into the Guinness Book of World records with nails on each finger of his left hand measuring about 3½ feet. With nails like that the hand must be pretty useless). Short nails make less trouble. Clip nails short, along their shape. Don't cut them so close that it pinches the skin.
A healthy body ensures healthy nails. Brittle or discoloured nails show up deficiencies or disease conditions.
Do not keep your nails painted continuously. It causes the keratin, of which nails are made, to split. Pamper your hands and nails once every three weeks with a manicure. This requires soaking your hands in warm water for ten minutes, massaging of hands, thorough cleaning and shaping of nails. Choose your manicure kit with care. In some kits, the instruments are crudely made and they will do more harm than good.
