7 teeth-whitening hacks for brighter smiles

7 teeth-whitening hacks for brighter smiles

A smile is the best ornament an individual can flaunt, and an ornament with glistening pearls is the most invaluable accessory. Besides, pearl-white teeth are a dream come true for most. Therefore, alongside getting professional teeth cleanups regularly and having nutritious meals, following simple teeth-whitening tips can provide long-lasting positive outcomes. Moreover, one may practice such hacks at home with readily available products, so here are some natural teeth-whitening tips for white, healthy teeth:

Oil pulling
Oil pulling, a traditional, alternative-medicine practice originating in India, requires one to swish one tablespoon of any form of edible oil around one’s mouth. This can be done for a certain amount of time, initially for 5-10 minutes and then extending to 20 minutes. Although oil pulling is not directly associated with white teeth, it helps remove stains from the teeth and eliminates plaque and gingivitis-causing bacteria. Thus, this practice, combined with other teeth-whitening remedies, can significantly contribute to white and healthy teeth.

Fruit for teeth whitening
Fruits like strawberries, watermelons, pineapples, and papayas help maintain teeth whiteness. For example, one may purchase teeth-whitening gels containing bromelain, papain, etc., or rub fruit peels against one’s teeth for the best results. However, directly rubbing one’s teeth with pieces of fruit is not recommended, as it can worsen the color of the teeth.

Whitening toothpaste
Whitening toothpaste typically contains peroxide, blue covarine, and other elements that facilitate frequent use of white teeth. While purchasing whitening toothpaste, checking for a seal of approval from an esteemed dental organization is essential. Moreover, it’d help if you could consult your dentist regarding the best and safest teeth-whitening toothpaste available.

Baking soda
Baking soda is an effective way to remove teeth stains and is suitable even for sensitive teeth. For example, baking soda paste, prepared by combining one teaspoon of baking soda with some water, can be used to brush one’s teeth regularly.

Teeth-whitening kits
Teeth-whitening kits are made exclusively to ensure whiter, cleaner teeth with regular use. They typically come with an electric toothbrush (look for LED toothbrushes), hydrogen peroxide gel, carbamide peroxide, etc., providing ready-to-use solutions to facilitate teeth whitening.

Teeth-whitening strips
Teeth-whitening strips are often packed with essential ingredients such as activated charcoal, hydrogen peroxide, and carbamide peroxide, which can prove highly effective in whitening teeth. Typically, one must apply one teeth-whitening strip over each affected area, leave the strips for about 15 minutes (the instructions may vary slightly based on the strip being used), and rinse with water for the best results.

Teeth-whitening pens
Besides the apparent advantage of whiter teeth, teeth-whitening pens also offer the benefit of portability, as these pens are small enough to fit into one’s pocket or purse. These thin plastic tubes contain gel, which helps remove stains and maintains overall oral hygiene.

Teeth whitening is beneficial from an aesthetic standpoint and for maintaining oral health and preventing plaque. Therefore, it is advisable to consult your dentist before using teeth-whitening products at home. Besides, such measures work best alongside a healthy meal plan and regular dental checkups.

This is another option with which dentists can restore an individual’s chewing ability and enhance their appearance. Dental implants are medical devices that are implanted into a person’s jaw. These devices provide support for artificial teeth. Examples of implants are crowns, dentures, and bridges.

Some people suffer from teeth grinding, which affects their smile. Excessive grinding also erodes the enamel and exposes the dentin, making the molars vulnerable to infection. One can use a nighttime dental guard to prevent chipping and grinding. The Oral-B Nighttime Dental Guard is microwavable and can be customized to one’s teeth for the perfect shape and fit every night.

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Coping with urges that can trigger a relapse post treatment

Addictions when left untreated can turn into crippling conditions. One can be addicted to smoking, binge drinking, or even shopping. Once addicted, one willfully submits to urges, despite having satisfied them before. However, addictions can be managed and to a great extent treated to full recovery. But, the post-recovery phase is crucial where both the mind and body are put to test and can trigger a relapse. Continue reading to know more about the most common triggers for addictions and how to deal with them.Stress Stress is commonly the root cause of many problems and addictions, both physical and psychological. One can become an addict as a way to manage the stress that may stem from strained relationships or priorities. The best way to avoid a relapse during recovery is to make lifestyle changes that don’t trigger a return to addictions amidst a stressful situation. One can practice mindfulness, engage in relaxation techniques, manage one’s time to avoid stressful situations, and imbibe healthy eating habits and exercise in their daily routine. EmotionsThere is an umpteen number of triggers that invoke a positive or negative emotional response. However, the stress associated with dealing with emotions daily can trigger urges without one even realizing. Often, one turns to a glass of alcohol or relies on prescription medications to put the mind at ease. It is not a permanent solution and prolonged use of these substances can cause more harm in the long run. One must learn and explore productive ways of controlling emotions better to avoid a relapse during recovery. For example, writing and maintaining a journal that contains one’s feelings and thoughts can act as a healthy outlet. Similarly, there are other healthy ways to channel one’s energy and manage emotional responses.Positive conditioningPeople who have addictions such as smoking or drinking may often find themselves in situations where a lit cigarette or a glass of wine can trigger a relapse. This is understandable considering these substances were the primary source of comfort and relaxation. However, with positive reinforcement and reconditioning one can train the mind and curb such urges. Relaxation doesn’t always mean techniques like yoga or meditation, it can also be pursuing your hobby. Counseling for group gatheringsBirthdays, parties, New Year’s events, and any celebration in general call for alcohol consumption and smoking. At times, these could be the very addictions one is recovering from, and in a social gathering, such temptations can be strong. However, a recovering addict should refrain from indulging in any of these as even a taste can turn into a relapse. For instance, a recovering alcoholic must avoid having a single drink as that could put him/her on a slippery slope to relapse. Here, one-on-one counseling can help prepare the mind to resist the urge. It is never healthy for a recovering addict to simply avoid socializing fearing a relapse.

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5 early signs of multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic disorder that affects the nervous system. If one does not undergo the necessary treatment in the initial stages of this condition, one may develop brain and spinal cord disabilities. Therefore, it is recommended to consult a healthcare expert immediately when typical symptoms start showing. Some common indicators of multiple sclerosis are slurred speech, unexplained tingling sensations, and frequent tiredness. Some of the slightly more imperceptible early signs of multiple sclerosis include: Vision problems Currently, there is no cure for multiple sclerosis. However, doctors conduct optical tests on individuals to diagnose and treat the condition. In most cases, a person's vision starts faltering when the condition emerges within them. Some common early signs of multiple sclerosis include eye pain even in the absence of injuries, blurred vision, progressively worsening shortsightedness or farsightedness, double vision, and sudden and unexplained color blindness. People tend to overlook vision-related problems that emerge out of nothing. On the contrary, they must consult their local healthcare expert immediately as these problems are common early signs of multiple sclerosis. Bowel problems During the initial stages of multiple sclerosis, bowel-related issues such as constipation and incontinence are fairly common in individuals. Again, the frequent nature of such symptoms causes people to ignore them, something that can be a massive mistake in the long run. On experiencing such issues, one must contact their doctor and take a quick examination, just to be 100 percent sure and safe. Apart from bowel-related issues like the ones mentioned here and others, like blocked bowels, bloated bellies, and pain during defecation, the initial stages of multiple sclerosis are also characterized by unexplained bladder problems and urinary infections. Unsteady gait Abnormalities in a person's gait, also known as gait dysfunction, are one of the more unknown early signs of multiple sclerosis in individuals. These abnormalities include decreased walking endurance and speed, unsteady cadence and joint motion during movements, varying step length, increased variability of gait, enhanced metabolic cost of walking, and similar other indicators. Such issues directly stem from problems related to a person's motor nervous system. Symptoms such as these indicate that the disease is likely to have affected a person's spinal column and motor neurons. Frequent mood shifts Depression and anxiety commonly precede the more noticeable early signs of multiple sclerosis in individuals. People tend to show unpredictable behavior during this phase. Depression and anxiety are accompanied by fear, moodiness, and worry. If someone experiences these symptoms, they must visit a mental health expert to get to the root of the situation. Consulting a healthcare expert can calm their anxiety to a great degree. More importantly, it enables them to know whether they have multiple sclerosis and need to begin undergoing treatment or not. Sexual dysfunction Both males and females show similar symptoms when they develop multiple sclerosis. One of these early signs of multiple sclerosis is sexual dysfunction, characterized by a loss of libido, extreme difficulty in achieving orgasms, and, in many cases, pain during intercourse is experienced.  

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