Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums caused by the accumulation of bacterial plaque on the teeth, leading to painful red and puffy gums that bleed when you brush your teeth. In addition to red, puffy, bleeding gums, symptoms of gingivitis can include persistent bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth, receding gums and changes in the way your teeth come together when biting down.

In some cases of gingivitis, the symptoms are mild and you may not even know you have it until it is too late. If left untreated, though, gingivitis can spread and affect tissue, teeth and bones, leading to periodontitis that can eventually result in the loss of your teeth and may even increase the risk of conditions involving the heart.

To prevent gingivitis from developing, thoroughly brush your teeth a minimum of two minutes at least twice a day everyday and be sure you brush right before you go to bed. In conjunction with brushing, floss your teeth twice a day to remove food particles that can get trapped between your teeth and gargle with a good medicinal mouthwash to eliminate bacteria that can cause bad breath

The final and probably the most important step in preventing gingivitis is to visit your dentist at least twice a year. During these visits your dentist can check your teeth for early signs of gingivitis and take steps to stop the progression of the condition and your teeth are cleaned to remove plaque and tartar build-up that lead to gingivitis.

The dental professionals at Maple Leaf Dentistry at 291 Reid St. in downtown Peterborough can advise you on good oral hygiene practices so you can prevent gingivitis. To arrange an appointment, call 705-748-2454 or email them at smile@mapleleafdentistry.com. For more information visit their web site www.mapleleafdentistry.com.

Back to the Maple Leaf Dentistry profile page.

But if you harbor a secret desire to inject a little more colour into your life, it is possible to make these hot hues work in your home—without them overwhelming your senses. Here are a few ideas:

Think small: You can give diminutive rooms a whole new character by giving them a colour makeover. Using a warm orange like Nectarine in a tiny entryway provides a cheerful welcome for your guests. A small powder room will become cool and sophisticated when dressed up with a coat of Monaco Blue. Keep the trim white and accessories light.

Accent your home: If it’s too much to imagine a whole room done up in Poppy Red or Emerald, why not choose one wall as your accent wall? Paint the remaining walls a complementary tone of white and pick up your accent shade in throw pillows and accessories.

Unexpected colour: If your colour palette is mostly neutral, consider adding a splash of colour in unusual places—think the inside of a closet or cupboard, the back panel of built-in shelving, your fireplace mantel, or in any small alcoves you have in your home. A little colour can go a long way to add fun and personality to your space.

A Gallery of Interiors, your one-stop renovation shop in the Barrie and Georgian Triangle, offers professional painting services among their many other areas of expertise. Their friendly staff are always happy to discuss your project and answer your questions. Contact A Gallery of Interiors today at 705-727-0229 or visit www.agalleryofinteriors.com.

But for many people, this is easier said than done and finding “extra” money to put towards your future can be a daunting task.

The good news is it’s not as hard as you think and with the right financial advice, you can uncover “hidden” money you already have

Here are four strategies to find your “hidden” money, so you can start investing in your future:

Household budget: Look at the way you and your family spends money. Are you buying instead of bringing lunch? Are you paying attention to your energy consumption at home? There are so many ways to save a little extra each month and a simple review of household behaviour can add up to monthly savings that can be put towards your investments.

Debt consolidation: Pay off your higher interest rate loans and other high-cost debt by taking out a single loan at a lower interest rate can give you one overall, consolidated, monthly payment. Whether you consolidate your car loan or credit line, doing this will offer you a more affordable monthly payment while freeing up money for investments.

Restructure your mortgage: Many people have their mortgage repayments set on the highest amount they can afford to minimize interest payments and pay off their mortgage as quickly as possible. However, you can also consider a lower term in order to free up some money so you can invest in your financial goals, as well.

Get tax back now, instead of later: Did you know, instead of receiving your annual tax refund in a yearly lump sum you can request of your employer to reduce the amount withheld from your cheque each month by filing a T-1213 form with the Canada Revenue agency? This way, you can invest part of your usual year-end tax refund each pay period.

If you would like help finding your “hidden” money, contact Galina Johnston, Consultant for Investors Group and her team, in Barrie. Call them today at 705-999-7174 or 647-797-3790 or contact them at galina.johnston@investorsgroup.com.

Back to Galina Johnston: Investors Group Financial Services Profile Page

This is a general source of information only. It is not intended to provide personalized tax, legal or investment advice and is not intended as a solicitation to purchase securities. Galina and Robert Johnston are solely responsible for its content. For more information on this topic or any other financial matter, please contact Galina and Robert Johnston – Consultants for Investors Group Financial Services Inc.

MAHC joined Greening of Healthcare, a cooperative that works with partner hospitals to lower energy costs and raise environmental performance. This gave MAHC the tools needed to obtain, manage and assess data and compare it to other organizations. It is also a place to share best practices and ways to plan and implement improvements.

Experts were engaged, and helped to identify significant savings through a number of different initiatives. This team of experts, including energy advisors, engineers, architects, and project managers, broke down the opportunities for savings and efficiencies into projects by looking at areas that had the biggest expenditure of energy.

Benchmarking the current practice has also helped to identify the anticipated utility savings, which are estimated at 22 per cent at the Huntsville site and 25 per cent at the Bracebridge site. The total savings between both hospitals is estimated at $350,000 annually. The energy efficiency projects will focus on upgrading to more efficient ventilation systems, domestic hot water heating, lighting and automation and will cost $2.8 million.

In February, the MAHC board approved these initiatives, and the first phase is scheduled to begin in May using a staged approach, with the heating systems being upgraded during the summer and the cooling systems in the winter. The project is expected to take 18 months to complete, and the hospitals will start to achieve the full benefits by the end of summer 2014. The project will be funded through a bank loan that will be repaid over seven and a half years, using the savings the efficiencies will produce. Once the loans have been repaid, the savings will be reinvested into programs and services, providing greater care for patients.

MAHC is excited for the project, as it will not only reduce the hospitals’ environmental footprint and save money, but will also increase the comfort level for both patients and staff.

For more information on MAHC, visit www.mahc.ca.

In order to prepare for changes, new technologies and equipment, Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare is currently working on a master program and a master plan. Both are required by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care for any major decisions around programs, services and the use of the property. It is a lengthy process and one that is part of prudent planning for the future.

Our master program will outline the type and extent of health care services to be delivered by our facilities. It will include projected programs, staffing and departmental space requirements over a 25-year timeframe. The master plan supports and demonstrates potential for developing our sites and is a high level design view of how our sites could be developed to meet future requirements over the next 50 years.

We know that our facilities, due to their age, are not consistent with current standards and pose challenges in regards to space right now. We are also looking at long-range plans to best accommodate the services we should be providing as acute care hospitals to service our patient base. The master planning exercise also allows us to consider development options as they relate to partnership opportunities with other health care services. This planning process will guide us in building and strengthening our services and may also show us that we need to make some adjustments so we are well positioned for the future.

In the meantime, MAHC is working to maintain our hospitals through renovations as funds are available. The emergency department at Huntsville District Memorial Hospital Site was recently renovated and renovations to the Dialysis unit are currently underway. These upgrades allow us to provide better care to our patients and improve workflow and infection control measures.

News about MAHC and improvements to our facilities can be found online at www.mahc.ca.

Back to Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare Profile Page

When you go to your dentist, the doctor and hygiene team check your teeth, do an oral exam and take x-rays if necessary to detect any problems with your teeth or gums. Many dental problems are not visible or cause pain until they are in the advanced stages at which point you may need a major dental procedure to correct the problem.

Seeing a dentist at least twice a year is a good habit and works well for most people, although, in certain circumstances you may have to make more frequent visits. If you have a high risk of dental disease or are prone to cavities or plaque build-up, you are a smoker or a diabetic, have an issue with gum disease or are susceptible to bacterial infection, you may need your dentist at three or more times a year to effectively manage the condition.

Brushing your teeth two or three times a day along with flossing removes stains left by tomato sauce, red wine, coffee and tea as well as food particles that get trapped between your teeth. Poor brushing habits allow trapped food to accumulate, which can cause tooth decay, gum disease or more serious problems.

While properly brushing and flossing your teeth control plaque, having your teeth cleaned at the dentist’s office actually removes plaque build-up. Plaque encourages the growth of harmful bacteria that leads to periodontal or gum disease, an infection of the tissue that holds your teeth in place, causing your teeth to loosen and fall out and is also linked to heart attacks and strokes.

The dental professionals at Maple Leaf Dentistry at 291 Reid St. in downtown Peterborough will help you develop an effective oral health regime. To arrange an appointment, call 705-748-2454 or email them at smile@mapleleafdentistry.com. For more information visit their web site www.mapleleafdentistry.com.

Heated floors have been around, literally, for millennia. Some ancient civilizations used heated smoke to keep their toes toasty. Others relied on water. Modern radiant floor heating (RFH) systems fall into two categories, however: electric and hydronic.

Hydronic systems use fluid (a mix of anti-freeze and water) flowing in pipes underneath the floor, and can be used for both heating and cooling. These are often installed as whole-house systems, and are typically used in new construction or major renovations.

For single-room renovations or older homes, an electric system is probably your best bet. Because they involve a low-profile plastic pad with heating coils running through it, these are relatively easy to install and, like their hydronic cousins, can be used underneath just about any type of flooring. An electric RFH system in a relatively small bathroom may cost less than $1,000.

Your contractor will install a switch or dedicated thermostat that you’ll use to control your floor heat—so you’ll even save money on electricity by using it only during off-peak hours.

If you’re considering a kitchen or bathroom renovation that includes heated floors, be sure to contact A Gallery of Interiors, your one-stop renovation shop in Barrie and the Georgian Triangle. Their friendly staff will help you plan your renovation, and are always happy to answer your questions. Contact A Gallery of Interiors today at 705-727-0229 or browse their impressive portfolio of work at www.agalleryofinteriors.com.

Below is a glossary of terms and things you need to know, to get you started!

Pre-approved: Before you even go house-hunting, you’ll want to know how much your pre-approved mortgage will be so you know your price range. This means, when you stumble upon your dream home, you’ll know whether or not you will be able to afford it

The down payment decision: Conventional mortgages never exceed 80 per cent of the purchase price of a house. This means you provide the other 20 per cent as a down payment. If you don’t have that you can apply for a high ratio mortgage. However, you’ll have to pay an insurance premium of 1 – 3 per cent of your mortgage amount, which may be added to the entire mortgage amount.

Amortization period: This is the number of fixed payments or years it takes to repay your entire mortgage. Traditionally, it’s 25 years, but by making higher monthly payments over a shorter amortization period, you’ll pay off the loan faster while saving on borrowing costs

Accelerated mortgage payment By making accelerated, or lump sum payments you’ll pay off your mortgage faster. When you have excess cash, you can use it to reduce the principal amount of your mortgage loan. Most lenders allow a yearly lump-sum pre-payment of up to 15 per cent of the original principal amount.

Term: A mortgage term is the period of time for which the money is loaned under the same rate. When it expires you have the choice of repaying the balance still owing or renegotiating your mortgage for a further term at the then current interest rate.

Comprehensive

For everything you need to know about mortgage options, contact Galina Johnston, Consultant for Investors Group. She and an expert Mortgage Planning Specialist can help determine your mortgage needs. Call them today at 705-999-7174 or 647-797-3790 or contact them at galina.johnston@investorsgroup.com.

Back to Galina Johnston: Investors Group Financial Services Profile Page

This is a general source of information only. It is not intended to provide personalized tax, legal or investment advice and is not intended as a solicitation to purchase securities. Galina and Robert Johnston are solely responsible for its content. For more information on this topic or any other financial matter, please contact Galina and Robert Johnston – Consultants for Investors Group Financial Services Inc. Investors Group Trust Co. Ltd. is a federally regulated trust company and the mortgagee. Mortgages are offered through I.G. Investment Management, Ltd.* Inquiries will be referred to a Mortgage Planning (Agent) Specialist. *In the Province of Ontario, Mortgage Brokerage Licence #10809, Mortgage Administrator Licence #11256.

Our focus is on air quality and energy efficiency and we provide the sales, service and repairs for your home or business’s HVAC equipment. We ensure that we find the perfect balance between saving money, saving the environment, and having the best indoor air quality possible.

Clean air and personal comfort has many health benefits, not to mention that it increases productivity and overall wellbeing. As a licensed Life Breath Technician, Steve Woolcock Heating & Air not only provides year round comfort for your home and office, but we can dramatically improve the air quality that circulates throughout your indoor environment. With cleaner air and pure oxygen to breathe, you, your family, and co-workers will enjoy the benefits and clarity of a fresh, clean environment.

Speaking of environment, the confines of our HVAC equipment and service are not just limited to your indoor living spaces, but also with the outside environment and the world we live in. Steve Woolcock Heating & Air believes in caring for the world’s environment by providing customers with energy efficient HVAC equipment. When you decide on upgrading or installing new equipment, whether it’s a furnace or humidifier, we can help you decide on the equipment that will save on your energy costs, as well as the equipment that saves the environment by running more efficiently. We will go over the Energy Star symbol as well as the EnerGuide rating for our equipment to ensure you are investing in the quality, energy efficient equipment that’s right for you.

Our trained and licensed HVAC technicians are available for sales, maintenance and repair for heating, air conditioning, ventilation, gas piping, water heaters, air purifying systems and humidifiers. Our service is flexible to accommodate your busy schedule. Call us at Steve Woolcock Heating & Air today!

Waves crashing into the shore…

Family’s gathering together for a nice picnic in the sun…

These are all great things Georgian Bay has to offer, but one of the most important things Georgian Bay has to offer is a top of the line optometry clinic that cares for your eyesight so you are able to see all of life’s wonders clearly.

Georgian Bay Optometry Clinic is a full service optometry clinic that is designed to meet both your eye health needs as well as your eyewear requirements. We offer custom contact lens fitting, vision therapy, low vision needs, Lasik co-management, eye health exams, paediatric eye exams, visual field examinations, GDx Glaucoma scanning and we are also able to fulfill all of your eyewear requirements.

With the most innovative, state-of-the-art technology available we are able to continuously educate ourselves and each other, this allows us to work together and offer you customized solutions for your specific vision needs.

Eye care in an environment that encourages respect, compassion and equality is eye care that can’t be beat! Your eyes are for life, and so should your eye care.  We take the time to get to know your eye care history and health.

“The eyes are the window to the soul,” some say. We believe if our customer trusts us with their eye care, the least we can do is create genuine relationships with one another, as well as every patient that walks through our door.

If you haven’t walked through our door yet, we encourage you to give us a try, you won’t regret it! Right now all new patients are entitled to 100 bonus Aeroplan Miles with your purchase.

Since you can’t foresee the future and when you are going to need help we offer Emergency Services.  If something happens and you need help after business hours, please call our clinic at (705) 422-0020 and follow the instructions given on our answering machine greeting.

At Georgian Bay Optometry Clinic our vision is set by our patients’ sight! Pleased to be serving the Wasaga Beach, Collingwood & surrounding areas. See you soon!

Call us at 705-422-0020 or click here to visit our website