It's no surprise that candy isn't good for dental health. But as popularity of sour candies rises, so does the rate of tooth decay.

Most of these sour candies have extremely low pH levels -- as a comparison, battery acid has a pH level of 1 as do many of these candies. Some of the candies are so acidic they can cause permanent damage to tooth enamel -- particularly in young children whose protective enamel is immature. Gummy and sticky candies seem to cause the most damage because of the length of time kids suck on them before chewing and swallowing.

While it's best to avoid these treats altogether, if you're going to let your children indulge, make sure they don't suck or chew on them for a long time and have them rinse their mouths with water afterwards. A glass of milk can also help neutralize the acid from the candy. Don't have your ckids brush their teeth immediately after eating sour candy -- brushing the surface after an acid attack can actually increase the damage the acid causes.

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A diet heavy in proteins and cereal grains can cause blood to become too acidic, causing muscle tissue to waste away. Add fruits and veggies to your eating routine, though, and your body's pH will turn more alkaline. Potassium is the secret.

RealAge recommends we get at least 3,000 mg of potassium every day but suspects they'll recommend even more after reviewing the latest science. The government currently advises we get 4,700 mg. One caution: Don't start taking a potassium supplement without first consulting your physician -- too much of this mineral can be toxic.

If peaches aren't your fruit of choice, check out the following gallery for some other great potassium sources.

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In most parts of the U.S., the sun is starting to shine a little more brightly, encouraging us to come out and play. Not only does the warm weather get us all frisky and ready to tackle all kinds of fun outdoor activities -- a change of season is also a reminder to take a look at our current skincare routine to make sure we're still meeting our skin's needs.

It should go without saying, but I'm still going to say it -- first and foremost, make sure you're applying sunscreen every time you go outside. Hats and sunglasses will help protect your face from sun damage, too, but it's a good idea to get into the habit of applying a moisturizing sunscreen every morning.

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We're usually too wrapped in in calories to consider another important factor to what we're drinking -- the acidity. Acidic drinks can not only lead to ulcers, but they can rot your teeth too. Fitsugar has a handy breakdown of the worst offenders acid-wise. What are the some of the worst offenders?

• Coke, with a pH of 2.63
• Pepsi at 2.49
• Gatorade at 2.95
• Doctor Pepper at 2.95
• Minute Maid at 2.8

For comparisons sake, consider this: Neutral pH (water) is 7.0. Battery Acid is 1.0 and you mouth's normal pH should be about 6.2-7.0. So if you haven't quit drinking soda for the sake of your health, maybe you should consider giving it up for the sake of your pearly whites?

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Inhaling chlorine or bleach is harmful to the lungs and heart and has been linked to certain cancers also. So why do most people use it to clean around the house in their kitchens, bathrooms and play areas for their children? It is marketed as the main component in almost all bathroom mildew and mold cleaning products. Cleaning away bacteria and mold does not have to be harmful to your body. Vinegar is not just for salads and soups. It kills bacteria, germs, and mold and is natural. Keep a clean spray bottle filled with straight 5 percent vinegar in your kitchen near your cutting board, and in your bathroom, and use them for cleaning. If you have mold problems, the main mold killer is to prevent moisture from becoming the breeding ground for mold. When you clean the surface of an area in your home, if you use baking soda, it will prevent any mold and mildew from growing. This is because the PH factor in the baking soda is not conducive to mold growth and mold, especially black mold will not grow when it is present. Vinegar is another natural mold killer that you can use. Baking soda and vinegar are also less expensive than all the marketed cleaning supplies. Vinegar is a great window cleaner also. The smell of vinegar dissipates within a few hours.

If you have mold allergies there are some natural and less harmful ways to kill mold. Using a hepa filter or an ozone generator are two combined methods that give you optimum mold fighting abilities and keep you from breathing harmful fumes. You can check out your local hardware stores for ozone generators designed specifically for killing mold.

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