Though exercise may be the cloest thing there is to the fountain of youth, three out of four adults are sedentary.

Some researchers think people have a sense of hopelessness about their ability to exercise. Others say people who work and have families to care for simply won't take the time. For all those people, here's the good news:

Everyday activities can improve your odds of staying healthy longer. All activity counts, whether it's walking the dog, climbing the stairs, or working in the yard.

Doctors at the Cardiac Rehabilitation and Prevention Department of Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center say exercise doesn't have to be vigorous to be beneficial. Very modern activity can significantly reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disorders, obesity, cancer, and osteoporosis. The important thing is just to get moving.

They're fuzzy friends of the nutritionally wise. Kiwi, say researchers at Rutgers University in New Jersey, has twice as much vitamin C as oranges, plus potassium, magnesium, and a variety of healthful phytochemicals.

Following kiwi fruit as the most nutritionally dense foods are papayas, mangos, and oranges.

Do you think you need a hard-bristled brush to get the plaque off your teeth? If so, we have news for you. You're beating up on your teeth. Scrubbing teeth in the way described above can be hard on your enamel, the protective coating that protects your teeth. We suggest a softer approach in both your brush and technique. Purchase a toothbrush with only moderately stiff bristles. One with a compact head will let you concentrate your brushing on one area at a time, so you'll still feel taht you're getting your teeth really clean while avoiding abrasion.

Next, use a gentler technique. Hold the brush at a 45 degree angle and use small circular strokes on each tooth surface. When you finish, look at your toothbrush.

If the bristles are sticking out to the side, you're pushing too hard. A careful, thorough brushing twice a day should keep the bristles straight.

To ensure you're doing the job, test your effectiveness. Disclosing tablets from your drug store can show you the spots you're missing. These tablets can provide excellent feedback on how well you've brushed. You can also ask us to evaluate your brushing skills. Don't hesitate to attack plaque, but do it strategically.

Most parents realize that children who play hocket are at high risk for oral or facial injuries and should wear a mouthguard. However, many people don't realize that mouthguards are important for other winter sports, like basketball and wrestling. Nearly 20 percent of oral and facial injuries occur during basketball games, according to a recent study. Wrestling is also considered one of the top sports that place children at high risk for this type of injury.

Unfortunately, even when parents are aware of the need for mouthguards, they may give in to their child's disdain for oral protection. Many children complain that mouthguards are just too uncomfortable, don't fit well, or cause them to gag. We feel that these problems can often be alleviated with a professionally-made dental mouthguard that's custom-fit to the child. Parents whose children are involved in high-risk sports should seriously consider the custom made alternative. We recommend the PLAYSAFE laminated mouth guards fabricated by Glidewell Laboratory of California.