How to choose an at home teeth whitening product like Crest Whitestrips

Written by Yale Wang


Tired of stained, yellow teeth? Want to give yourself a beautiful, whiter smile? Then perhaps you have thought about at home teeth whitening kits. In January 2004, Consumer Reports wrote "Home kits do whiten teeth for far less than you'd pay for a professional treatment."

Along withrepparttar above quote, Consumer Reports rated Colgate Whitestrips as "good" while Crest Simply White Night was given a rating of "very good." Both were said to help in whiteningrepparttar 115129 tester's teeth and both were recommended products.

But which ofrepparttar 115130 two is most right for you? When deciding to buy an at home teeth whitening kit, keep in mind of what is most convenient for you. The main difference is that Crest Whitestrips are nearly invisible sticky strips that are worn twice a day, for 30 minutes at a time, (or you can do a single one hour session) while Colgate Simply White Night is a gel that is brushed onto your teeth before you sleep. Neither are flavored and after a few days, most people get accustomed to either method. However,repparttar 115131 main reason consumers do not getrepparttar 115132 full benefits of their whitening kits is because they prematurely stop usage beforerepparttar 115133 recommended time (usually 14 days).

Which to Use When: Ice or Heat?

Written by Louise Roach


Knee pain after running? Wake up with a backache? Twist an ankle?

When aches, pain, strains or swelling take place due to an injury or chronic condition, what isrepparttar best course of action: ice or heat? Many people automatically assume heat will ease their discomfort. Think again!

Ice and heat have opposite effects when dealing with inflammation and pain. Both are useful when applied atrepparttar 115128 correct stage of an injury. Ice constricts blood vessels and decreases blood flow to an injured area, therefore reducing inflammation. It also numbs pain. Heat increases local blood circulation and relaxes tight muscles. When is it appropriate to use each?

The Acute Injury Stage: Immediately after an injury occurs, inflammation and swelling takes place due to damaged soft tissues and broken blood vessels which leak blood intorepparttar 115129 affected area. This is consideredrepparttar 115130 acute stage of an injury and lasts about 48 to 72 hours. Pain, stiffness, bruising and tissue tenderness are symptoms ofrepparttar 115131 acute stage. Ice should always be used immediately following an injury because it constricts blood vessels, which will lessen swelling, as well as numb pain and control bleeding. Apply ice no more than 20 minutes at a time. Always protect skin from tissue damage by using a cover overrepparttar 115132 ice pack. Allowrepparttar 115133 skin to return to normal temperature before reapplying ice. Heat should not be used duringrepparttar 115134 acute stage. It will increase blood leakage, which increases swelling and possibly pain. Most professionals agree that icing an acute injury will facilitate healing. Applying heat may actually slow healing duringrepparttar 115135 first 72 hours after an injury takes place.

The Chronic Injury Stage: This is normallyrepparttar 115136 point at which inflammation decreases, approximately 72 hours afterrepparttar 115137 injury. Pain and stiffness may still be present. At this point, both ice and heat can be used to assist in healing. Use ice to control pain and to help with inflammation that might occur after workingrepparttar 115138 injured area, such as a sore knee after running. Use heat to relieve muscle tightness or joint stiffness. Heat is also helpful before a workout to increase blood flow torepparttar 115139 injury and warm uprepparttar 115140 affected area. When applying heat, use moist warmth. Never use a heating device that is too hot nor sleep on a heating pad, which may result in burns. Apply heat only for 20-minute intervals, usingrepparttar 115141 same general guidelines as ice.

Cont'd on page 2 ==>
 
ImproveHomeLife.com © 2005
Terms of Use