Pain is beauty, and you are tough, but is the pain of whitening your teeth just too much? Here is how you can help yourself to a beautiful, white smile – without a side of pain.
Brush Before, Not After It’s better for your teeth if you brush them before applying any whitening products. Frequently bleaching your teeth makes them more porous. If you brush after using a whitening agent, you are further increasing that porosity. Be sure that the toothbrush you are using is a soft bristle brush. Always remember to take care to brush gently. There is never a need to scrub your teeth or gums. Follow Instructions Always read all of the directions that come with the whitening products you use on your teeth. Be sure not to leave the product on your teeth for too long. If you have sensitive teeth, you can leave the product on your teeth for less than the allotted time the instructions recommends. Avoid Overuse Choose a lower level peroxide whitening agent and limit how frequently you whiten. Try using the whitening strips once a month and use a whitening mouth wash intermittently during the month. Use Desensitizing Gel and Toothpaste Before you whiten and after you are finished, use a toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth; one with a desensitizing agent is best. Apply a dab of desensitizing gel to the areas of your gums that are particularly sensitive. It’s good to continually use a toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth every time you brush, and the gel as frequently as needed. Rinse Regularly Always rinse your mouth out after bleaching your teeth. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water to counteract any of the acidity left on your teeth. Exposing your teeth to acidity for long periods of time eats away at the enamel, leaving your nerves exposed. Any time you eat acidic foods, or use highly-acidic products on your teeth, it’s important to rinse your mouth. Use a Little—It Goes a Long Way You don’t need to use a product that has the highest level of peroxide in it for it to work. Use a whitening product with a lower amount of peroxide. You will still see the results, but without the pain and damage that high levels of peroxide can cause. Keeping Pain at Bay If your teeth are already sensitive from whitening, here are some tips for limiting the pain associated with having sensitive teeth. Brush Gently Your teeth have pores just like your skin. When you brush too hard or overexpose them to acid in food or products, they become more porous. This is why you experience sensitivity. Avoid making your teeth more sensitive by brushing gently, not overusing mouthwash or whitening strips and eating acidic foods. Monitor Your Diet Drink less coffee, tea, and soda. Eat less acidic fruit and limit sugary candy. Change Products Try a calcium-based desensitizing paste like Colgate’s Pro-Again toothpaste. Use a desensitizing gel like UltraEZ, and anti-inflammatory pain relievers like Ibuprofen as needed. For further information regarding tooth sensitivity, or to set an appointment with Dr. Harris, please call us at (702) 699-5551
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Time is money, right? And there is just never enough time. No time to clean up the cluttered office, no time to pull over to text from your cell, no time not to rush. It’s go, go, go… until someone gets hurt.
Take a quick time out. Slow down, take a breath, and think about this for a minute . . . employers pay about $1 billion in worker’s compensation every single week! For an expense that exuberant, maybe there is a little time for workplace safety. When you stop and think about what you are really risking by not taking just a few more seconds to complete a task, it’s shocking. Employees are injured—even killed while on the job, every single day. Next time you think that whatever you are rushing through just simply can’t wait, realize that you are literally ‘dying to get it done on time’. What it’s really time for, is an attitude adjustment. Both employers and employees need to re-focus and slow down. Not not only could lives be saved, but money too. Follow these tips below to steer away from work related injuries. How to Steer Clear of Work Related Injuries Keep it Clean – An organized and clean work environment is a safe work environment. Even having a cluttered desk is hazardous. The most frequent workplace injuries involve minor things that are overlooked. It’s natural to be more cautious when operating a fork lift than walking to your desk. Look around and askyourself, are there any potential trip hazards on the floor? Are the electrical outlets in your office safe? What about general cleanliness? Are you getting sick frequently? These are all things to keep in mind. It’s the little things that add up to big worker’s compensation bills. Make it a Must – If your employees are doing manual labor where personal protective equipment is worn to avoid injuries, make it clear that wearing it is not a mere suggestion, but a must! Wearing hard hats, goggles, gloves, ear muffs, and steel toe boots is not a fashion, it will save their body and possibly their life. Make it must that safety gear is worn at all times and make sure it is worn properly. Slow Down, Grown Ups at Play – Obviously, it’s difficult to avoid the racing around and the fast-pace of the work environment. Try to keep the feeling of the workplace somewhat calm and encourage safety above all else. Hold meetings every so often to let your employees know that their safety is of the highest importance. Review best practices for keeping safe and healthy at home and at work frequently. Above all, Remember Road Safety – Car accidents are the leading cause of work related fatalities. There is no way to overemphasize the importance of slowing down, being cautious, avoiding taking phone calls and NEVER TEXTING. If you speed or drive recklessly, you are putting the lives others at danger, not just your own. If you ever feel yourself rushing, your blood pressure rising, and like you are dying to get it done on time, just say to yourself out loud, “better late, than never.” |
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December 2015
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