Fast Facts
Brighten
Those Pearly Whites:
Looking to brighten your smile? More people are turning to “teeth
whiteners” to do so.
Your dentist can whiten
your teeth or provide a take-home kit, or you can choose
over-the-counter treatments or whitening toothpastes. Each uses a
peroxide formula, with the strongest formula used by dentists.
No matter your choice,
always start by talking to your dentist about your options and
expected results. Professional whiteners can lighten teeth anywhere
from three to eight shades. Teeth with a yellowish hue get the best
results, followed by brownish teeth. Gray-hued teeth are the least
likely to whiten. Whiteners have no effect on tooth colored fillings
and porcelain crowns.
Teeth whiteners are
generally safe, but always look for the ADA (American Dental
Association) seal on the package. Treatment can cause minor
irritation to the gums or tooth sensitivity, but these effects
quickly go away.
Pick Your Snacks
Wisely:
You’re hungry and your only option is a vending machine. Making a
healthy choice can be a tall order, but try these tips:
-
Think small. Given a
choice, pick the smaller snack – avoid the monster-size bags of
chips and huge candy bars
-
Chose baked chips or
pretzels over regular chips
-
Pick water over juice,
pop or sports drinks
-
Food with protein and
fiber satisfy longer. Try a small bag of nuts, raisins or trail mix
-
Some cereal bars are low
in fat and high in fiber
Better yet, plan ahead. Bring a piece of fruit, a small bag of
carrots, a cereal bar or a snack bag of whole-grain cereal. Then you
won’t have to rely on vending machines when hunger strikes.
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