There has been much advancement in the field of wheelchairs, specifically mobility wheelchairs. But now there is something even more versatile, mobility electric scooters. When it comes to the elderly or handicapped mobility scooters may be the best thing since sliced bread.

In the past disabled persons would lose out on many uplifting activities. But with the innovations in mobility scooters, the elderly and handicapped are not feeling quite as old or as feeble as they once were. Why? When you can get around almost as well as active healthy people you can return to being a part of the family or community. Independence is once again your ally. The ability to get around the house or out in public once again can be a major boost in a persons self worth. No more dependence on others to perform common everyday tasks.

Motorized electric scooters for people with a handicap are fast becoming the way of the future. With technological advances being made with regard to electric mobility scooters it’s no wonder they have taken the disabled world by storm. It’s a thrill seeing a 90 year old man walking his dog with the help of a mobility electric scooter, something that he wouldn’t have been possible just a few short years ago. But now there is practically nowhere a person can’t go with the help of an electric motor scooter.

There are gas motor scooters and electric motorized scooters, but for the handicapped gas scooters are out and electric is in. No need for gas, just plug it in for a recharge and then off you go with full independence once again. These wonderful scooters are getting faster and lighter. Plus, the scooter batteries have drastically improved, allowing much longer periods of driving without the need for a recharge. Wouldn’t it be nice being able to scoot around all day without the need for a charge?

Another advantage of mobility electric motor scooters is the cost. They are not only becoming increasingly less expensive, but if a person is disabled or handicapped it may even be possible to have Medicare or other medical insurance pick up some or all of the tab.

When purchasing an electric scooter be sure to take it for a test drive before buying. The most important thing is making sure that your motorized scooter is comfortable. By purchasing a comfortable scooter it’ll be a pleasant drive anywhere you go. Another consideration is the cost. If at all possible have your health insurance company pay for part of the price. But even if you have no insurance it is well worth the price. No price can be put on being independent and mobile, especially if you’ve been laid up for awhile.

One of the many options available in mobile electric scooters is their number of wheels. There are models that have either 3 wheels or 4 wheels. The 3 wheel scooters are typically lighter in weight. The 4 wheel models are typically heavier, but may be a little better balanced when going quickly around a turn. Two wheels in the front make for a more stable vehicle around sharp corners. Once again, it is wise to test drive before buying.

There are many different options including colors, sizes, weights, number of wheels, battery capacity and the types of seats. If chosen carefully an electric scooter can become one of the best purchases ever made for the handicapped, disabled or elderly.

Sally Johnson writes about many topics. Spreading the word about the wonderful world of mobility electric scooters is one of her missions. For more information about mobility electric scooters please visit her site.

Making the decision to move a loved one to a nursing home facility is among the most difficult decisions we may ever face. If you follow the suggestions listed your chance of finding a quality placement will be increased.

1) DO YOUR HOMEWORK

Every nursing home is inspected by a state agency. The inspection is very intense and comprehensive. Everything from the dietary needs of the residence to the medical care of residents is examined. The state survey MUST be available to the public. It is also available online in many states. Regardless how beautiful the facility may be do not place a loved one until you have studied their state survey findings.

2) USE YOUR NOSE

Do not accept bad odors as being inescapable in a nursing home setting. If you detect the smell of urine or an overall impression of unsanitary conditions walk back out of the door. That is not tolerable.

3) VISIT THE NURSING HOME DURING MEAL TIME

When making inquiries about a nursing home you will most likely be directed to a marketing spokesperson. They will ask you to meet with them and take a tour of the facility. I would suggest you also visit during a meal time. Observe the food which is being served. Scrutinize the care with which residents are being served. Are those who require assistance being attended to with respect or do the employees appear rushed or annoyed by those with special needs?

4) ASK THE RESIDENTS IF THEY LIKE LIVING THERE

Not every resident will have the ability to carry on a conversation with you often times those who enjoy social interaction will be more than willing to tell you about life in the facility. If you get the impression that they feel safe and contented and the staff is caring then it may be a good match for your loved one.

5) DON’T BE FOOLED BY THE BELLS AND WHISTLES

The Nursing home you select should have a staff that will nurture your loved one, not simply warehouse them. It is far more important to find a “homey” residence than a facility with big screen televisions and beautifully wallpapered dining rooms. Even the most expensively decorated facility can have serious deficiencies in their caring abilities.

Deborah Uetz
Author of Into the Mist
B.S. Education, E-zine Expert, online support moderator
website http://www.intothemist.us

Labor Day ~ 2005

When, a couple of years ago, I wrote an article about my dread disease, I still had not fully comprehended how disabling Perminant Progressive MS can become. I had come to realize that my denial had delayed acceptance of the diagnosis, my fear had stampeded me to stupid decisions, and had found ~ by writing a novel ~ I could dispel depression. Yet, I could still walk, a little, and figured I would bounce back soon.

Reality catches up with most of us ~ sooner or later. Not that it is easy to accept. Although the ‘Docs’ said I had already passed from relapsing remitting MS ~ to Perminant Progressive MS ~ I thought I’d make a rather rapid comeback. Little did I know that I would become even more dependent upon another who deserved less defiance from one she had committed to share life with.

When I went from a cane to a four wheel walker ~with a seat ~ her stress level dropped dramaticly. I fell down a lot less too. My handicapped, motorized scooter had long since been dispensed with when I had left real estate and had decided I wouldn’t need it. Now, I have another. Now, I have a hard time getting out of the wheelchair onto it.

Perminant Progressive MS (Multiple Sclerosis) it’s called. “Progressive” has surely taken on more meaning ~as I can no longer walk ~ even with the walker. Accepting life in a wheelchair is a tough one. So is accepting the fact that keeping honeybees for BVT (Bee Venom Therapy) is not Therapystic option for those of us that must now reside in apartments. “Perminant” is still not a diagnosis or concept that I am willing to accept.

Maybe, admitting to myself that I needed to use disposable briefs was the most major challenge? My caregiver’s sensitivity to provide a sightly container ~ rather than stack my diapers in a conspicious place (like on the back of the toilet) ~ has made my right decision less embarrassing. Her rapid removal of soiled disposables helps too.

Like most of us MSers, I continue to seek the “Silver Bullet,” that non-traditional cure that conventional medicine ~ which says there is none ~ doesn’t embrace. Okay, I have tried a few. Although some other MS victims have experienced significant improvements from these, Silver water, LDN, and various supplements, they haven’t worked for me. There are many weapons in the arsenal that I have yet to try.

Perhaps, my best weapon is faith? As Hebrews 11:1 says, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not yet seen,” I continue to keep on hoping I am led to the answer of renewed health for myself. I also believe that I am where a very good God wants me to be ~ for His reasons.

If you have found my article because there is something in it you were supposed to see, I am delighted to have been of some small service. You might want to visit the website I am learning to build and attempt to maintain http://MilesBooks.com where other information awaits you.

To those of you who are affected by others with Multiple Sclerosis, I ask that you be patient with him or her. Pray for us. Hope we become more sensitive to how our compromised conditions impacts others ~ and that we make internal adjustments which will will be reflected in our outward actions.

For those who have Perminant Progressive MS, expect challenges. Accept ~ without resentment ~ the helps and aids which are made available. Become less of a problem for those who attempt to help you.

Russ Miles is author of the novel, For Sale By Owners:FSBO.
A “Seasoned Real Estate NAR® Broker,” disabled by Multiple Sclerosis, Russ writes books & articles on varied subjects.

FOR SALE BY OWNERS:FSBO ISBN 0-595-28703-4,in trade paperback,
is available by phone or Internet:1-800-Authors to order direct!
Adobe e-book & hard cover editions also available at Amazon.com at Barnes and Noble and other fine booksellers.

Comments: MilesRuss@Gmail.com.
Please visit Russ Miles’s website http://MilesBooks.com for other informative features and information of interest.

Nutrition Hints for Beating Seasonal Affective Disorder

Do you feel you suffer from the winter blues, or Seasonal
Affective Disorder? Do you get those down feelings as soon as
the clocks go back? Well you’re not alone. It’s estimated that 1
in 10 people in the UK suffer from the winter blues
(approximately 6 million people).

So, what’s this got to do with nutrition? Well, simple changes
made through diet, supplements and lifestyle could really make
the difference to how you feel.

There are two likely reasons for feeling blue in the winter:

1. Less exposure to sunlight causes brain levels of serotonin -
the ‘happy’ transmitter - to fall (light stimulates the brain to
produce serotonin).

2. You might not be eating so well (less fresh salads/fruit etc)
and so not getting enough mood boosting nutrients.

The two most common factors associated with winter blues are:
having less energy (wanting to hibernate); and just feeling low
or depressed (just can’t be bothered). Other issues, such as
increased stress (especially leading up to Christmas) and
increased bombardment from cold and flu infections, can all play
a part.

So from a nutrition point of view we need to eat foods for high
energy - foods that give the best ‘miles per gallon’. These
foods are - unprocessed, organic, nutrient-rich whole foods such
as apples, pears and berries and all vegetables, and also whole
grains (oats, brown rice, wholemeal bread), beans and lentils.
If half your diet consists of these whole foods, you are on the
right track for natural energy. Avoid processed foods and
refined carbohydrates such as white bread, biscuits, cakes and
white rice.

To improve mood we need to look at foods that increase levels of
serotonin, the brain’s ‘happy’ neurotransmitter. A protein
called tryptophan is converted in the body to serotonin, so we
need to increase our intake of foods rich in tryptophan. This
can be found in foods such as fish, turkey, chicken, cottage
cheese, avocadoes and bananas. Also, eating foods rich in omega
3 essential fatty acids (found in oily fish such as salmon,
mackerel and tuna, and also in seeds) is thought to stave off
depression as it acts on serotonin function in the brain.

If the thought of eating lots of vegetables, fruits and whole
foods seems difficult in the winter, think of making lots of
warming soups, casseroles, hot berry desserts. Also, use what’s
in season - all those root vegetables, carrots, swedes,
celeriac, turnips, leeks and onions. Try combining a selection
with some vegetable stock and brown lentils to make a wholesome
soup or casserole (add fresh/dried herbs for extra flavouring);
and follow it with a delicious apple and berry crumble. Comfort
food can be nutritious and can help you get out of the winter
blues!

Spondylolisthesis, a condition that can affect athletes in all
sports that require a wide range of movement and flexibility, is
a degeneration of the exterior portion of the vertabrae in the
spine, reducing not only its integrity, but support,
flexibility, and strength.

No matter how severe the condition, a patient may experience
extreme discomfort, lack of mobility, or even the loss of
sensation in an extremity, typically the leg. Adolescents
suffering from this condition may often exhibit few symptoms or
no symptoms at all.

Spondylolisthesis tends to cause great discomfort in patients
and is usually brought on by physical accidents, such as falls
or even automobile accidents. While it can occasionally be a
pre-existing condition, but it is often worsened because of the
accident.

In the highest levels of discomfort, it may be necessary to
treat with what is known as spinal fusion, a treatment in which
the lower vertebrae of the spine is fused to the affected
vertebrae and held in place with titanium screws and rods or, at
times, a plate. This surgery can take a maximum of four hours
and can be extremely painful for the patient. While recovering,
the pain can be terribly severe and requires mobility assistance
and physical therapy.

While spinal fusion is painful and can take up to twelve months
for recovery to take place, the success rate of this form of
surgery is eighty percent, making spinal fusion the prime option
of treatment for both patients and their doctors. When paired
with special exercise, physical therapy, and changes in daily
routine, spinal fusion can assist in alleviating
Spondylolisthesis effectively.

This condition is curable and can be treated if detected early
enough. Speaking to your physician and an orthopedic surgeon is
key, as left untreated, Spondylolisthesis can lead to loss of
sensation and bone degeneration. Your health is important and if
you find yourself experiencing discomfort in the back,
especially the lower back, after an accident or a fall, you
should speak to an orthopedic surgeon immediately about testing
and possible treatment.

Early detection can save both your health and your bones.
Leaving it untreated is risky - a risk you should not be willing
to take.

AIDS is a fatal illness that affects the immune system. It accounts for millions of deaths each year and is a serious worldwide epidemic. Over forty million people in the world are infected with AIDS. The immune system degenerates, making those infected susceptible to infection and disease. Over three million people died of this disease in 2005. There is no cure for AIDS but there are treatments available to help slow the progression. AIDS is researched throughout the world in order to discover new treatments to prolong life and to find a cure. Currently, there have been studies on two new drugs that show promising results.

Merck & Co., a drug manufacturer in New Jersey, conducted clinical trials on a new pill. It is to be taken orally twice per day to help slow the progression of the disease. Studies indicated this drug is performing better than the other medications currently on the market. This drug will be especially beneficial to long term AIDS sufferers who have developed a resistance to pharmaceuticals existing today.

The studies were performed on 167 patients who have shown progression of the disease and have critically impaired health. Many of these patients have taken the drug AZT, a common treatment, for more than ten years. In the clinical trials, varying doses of the drug were experimented on with patients with varying conditions. In the most successful group, seventy two percent of the patients showed an improvement with virus levels becoming undetectable. In the least successful group, virus levels were reduced to undetectable amounts in fifty six percent. The results of the clinical trial were surprising but welcomed. The effects were astounding and the drug manufacturer is hopeful that it will help prolong the lives of people with AIDS. They are continuing to conduct research in larger trials and hope to apply for approval from the Food and Drug Administration in 2007.

Gilead Sciences, a competing drug manufacturer, also showed positive results from a similar type drug. Although the clinical trials were much smaller then Merck’s, the company is hopeful the results will set the stage for larger trials. The drug is called an integrase inhibitor. Integrase is an enzyme that speeds the progression of HIV. The inhibitor blocks the enzyme, slowing this process. The initial trials were only conducted with only ten patients. However, after ten days there was a one hundred fold reduction in virus levels. Similar to the Merck study, this shows promise in helping to prolong the life of patients. This pill will be taken once per day in conjunction with Novir, another AIDS medication. Increased studies of this drug will begin in the spring of 2006.

Although AIDS is a world wide epidemic with no cure as of yet, continuing research is showing promise. Recent studies indicate there will soon be two new drugs available for treatment, both showing incredibly enhanced improvement from existing medications. As science advances, scientists are hopeful that they will one day find a cure for this disease, eradicating it from existence.

Gray Rollins is a featured writer for AidsHivs.com. To learn more about how AIDS is treated and the types of AIDS treatments, visit us.

Eczema is an inflammatory, chronic, noncontagious disease of the skin caused by allergy and hypersensitivity. The term is loosely used to include many skin conditions more properly included under dermatitis. Eczema is characterized by a number of cutaneous lesions, such as macules, papules, pustules, vesicles, scales, and crusts.

Macules are nonelevated skin spots. Papules are hard, circular, and elevated. Pustules are papular like lesions that contain pus, and vesicles are small skin blisters that contain fluid. Eczematous lesions are usually accompanied by an exudation of serous fluid and by intense itching. One-third to one-half of all cutaneous conditions are eczematous.

There is no known cure for eczema, but new treatments are helping people to manage, and even prevent flares, better than ever before. Treatment is most effective when people with eczema work closely with a physician, preferably a dermatologist, who will customize a treatment approach based on the person’s age, symptoms, and overall health. With the right treatment, most flares can be brought under control in less than three weeks.

In more severe cases of eczema, where other treatments have failed, systemic steroids may be used. Instead of applying the steroidal medication to the top of the skin, it is injected into the body, or taken in pill form. These medications should only be used for a short time.

Side effects can include skin damage, weakened bones, high blood sugar and/or blood pressure, infections, and cataracts. It is also dangerous to stop systemic corticosteroids abruptly, and patients must work closely with a doctor when changing doses or stopping treatment.

Antibiotics can be prescribed by a doctor to treat secondary infections associated with eczema. Medications used to fight infection can come in ointment or pill form and are taken for a set period of time.

Sedating antihistamines, which are best to take at bedtime, can help ease severe itching associated with eczema, and help restless sleepers and “scratchers” to sleep. The sedating antihistamines are more effective at relieving itching than the newer, non-sedating antihistamines, but these drugs cause drowsiness, and can affect an adult’s ability to work and think, and childrens’ ability to learn if taken during the day.

Phototherapy uses ultraviolet A or B light waves, and is reserved for children over 12 and adults. It is very much like a tanning bed, and, like tanning beds, can cause skin cancer if used too much, for too long. Doctors use the minimum exposure necessary to ease itching and reduce inflammation.

In severe cases of eczema that do not respond to any other treatment, an immunosuppressive drug, like cyclosporine, may be used for a short time although the safety and effectiveness of cyclosporin in children has not been clearly established by clinical trials. These drugs block the production of some of the body’s immune cells and curb the effect of others. They can provide relief from very serious eczema flares, but this improvement while on the drug often does not continue after the drug course is over. Side effects include hypertension and kidney problems, nausea, tingling or numbness, headaches, and a possible increase in cancer risk.

Keeping the skin happy and healthy is the first rule of good eczema care. This includes avoiding flare triggers, and sticking to a skin care routine that keeps the skin moisturized, and minimizes itchiness. Still, flares do happen. If inflammation cannot be reduced with good lifestyle and skin care habits alone, there are a wide variety of both over-the-counter and prescription medications available to manage the flares.

There is no known cure for eczema but new treatments are helping people to manage, and even prevent flares, better than ever before.

Whether you have adolescent or adult acne, you can find respite
by following a specific natural diet.

Many of the foods that we consume are not a human’s natural food
in an evolutionary stance. Your body treats all unnatural foods,
to a certain degree, as a foreign substance. This creates more
work for your body to ‘detoxify’. One of the signs that your
body shows when it is burdened by toxins is acne.

Acne may show up on the face, neck, upper arms, and back most
commonly. All types of acne can be treated by following a
natural diet, as closely as possible. The time it takes to
notice improvement varies from days to months, depending on how
burdened your body is and how long it takes you as an individual
to detoxify and reach a more natural state.

The most common ‘trigger foods’ for acne are milk and all dairy
products, wheat and most grain products, and sugar (speaking
here of refined cane sugar).

Avoiding these foods is usually not enough to completely remove
acne, however. Most people need to eat the most natural diet for humans to
completely control and eliminate acne.

Imagine yourself out in a natural world with only the clothing
you are wearing. You have no stores, no farms, no tools, and no
way to make a fire. What could you eat, without tools and
without fire? This scenario is how humans developed and the food
you could pick and gather is the natural diet that your body
will most readily accept. All other foods, those that require
special tools or cooking are not meant for you.

All animals in nature have a prescribed diet, whether carnivores
(flesh eating), herbivores (greens eating), frugivores (fruit
eating), or omnivores (eats all or a mix of diet). Each animal
is equipped with a body designed to acquire and eat its
prescribed food. Lions are fast, have claws and sharp teeth, and
relish flesh foods. Some birds that eat grains are light to
perch on plants, have beaks adapted to harvest grains, and
special stomachs to grind the grains while whole and very hard.
Think of bees, anteaters, cows, and any other animal. Each has a
natural diet and any other diet may sustain life but not give
optimal life. Life with acne is not optimal life.

Humans are designed to eat certain foods. You would be hard
pressed to eat most grains without cooking them. Potatoes
straight from the ground would be pretty unappetizing. Could you
go out and bring down a deer with only your bare hands? Even
with tools (or if you could just use your hands), would you dig
right in and eat a raw, bloody deer, entrails and all? Would
your child naturally kill and eat a rabbit, milk a cow, or tear
down a beehive and eat it? What is a human’s natural diet?

Most people that study ancient humans and nutrition agree that
the most natural diet for people appears to be a diet high in
fresh fruits, nuts, vegetables, and greens. A small amount of
meat and eggs is probably acceptable and natural, although
whether this is ideal or not is debatable. All foods eaten in
their fresh, raw state is much healthier and easier to digest
than cooked food. This is how your food would be found in nature
and is your evolutionary diet key to optimal health.

If followed for the large majority of time, this natural human
diet will effectively reduce the amount of toxins consumed and
allow the body to detoxify from its previous diet. Acne will
disappear and skin will look radiant, younger, and require
hardly any care at all. All the creams, lotions, toner,
cleansers, etc will be useless to you with a natural, flawless
complexion and naturally healthy skin.

In her book Smart Moves, Dr. Carla Hannaford tells us why we must move to fully activate our learning potential.

I personally have written articles and e-books on the topic of full body exercise to enhance flexibility, strength, balance, coordination, energy levels and weight loss. These exercises can be performed by 5 year olds to professional athletes.

Both Dr. Hannaford and I are talking about training the nervous system in an effort to enhance mental and motor functioning. I come at it from an exercise standpoint. I teach how to use your hips and butt to train your brain for smooth, coordinated movement patterns. Ultimately, this will allow the performer of the exercises to move his or her body as it is intended to move and the brain to function at a higher capacity. This produces an energetic, happier, healthier and more stimulating lifestyle!

Did you know approximately nine million children over the age of 6 in the U.S. are considered obese and 2% receive help for some type of learning disability? Let me tell you what you as parents can do to help.

I am now going to lay out 5 tips that you and your children can start doing today that will make all the difference in their motor and mental functioning. You will be doing what my slogan from my website promises; “training and teaching today….educating for a lifetime”.

1) I recommend that your family instill dynamic flexibility into your day. These are exercises designed to enhance balance and flexibility of your muscles and joints. You are actually moving while you are stretching, not the “hold for 10 seconds” variety of the past.

Two good examples of this type of stretching would be: 1. a walking lunge, with rotation to the leg that is forward, alternating legs with each step 2. The “inchworm”, in which you start in a push up position, walk your feet to your hands, keeping your legs straight and then walk your hands back to the push up position…like an inchworm. These dynamic stretches improve balance, strength, coordination and most importantly, flexibility.

2) Combine family time and play time. While on walks with the family, instruct the children to skip, hop, balance on 1 leg, “tightrope walk” the curb or bear crawl in the grass (like follow the leader). This will stimulate the child’s’ nervous system and be fun at the same time. Let each family member take turns deciding the activity; this will bring out creativity in your children.

I realize the younger the child, the shorter the attention span tends to be. I recommend letting them lead the activity but gradually steer them back to more exercise related tasks.

3) Have your children drink plenty of water. A half an ounce of water per pound of body weight would be good. If your child weighs 70 pounds for example, then 35 ounces a day would be a good start. Unfortunately, a lot of children, and adults, are dehydrated a big percentage of the time.

Adequate water intake will allow normal muscle, brain and other organ functioning. It will help their alertness, creativity, social skills and success in schoolwork.

4) Have your children eat 3 meals and 2 healthy snacks a day. Breakfast is a must! Get them up earlier if that is what it takes! Meals should include proteins, carbohydrates and 8 ounces of water or juice. A good rule of thumb is for every gram of protein, have 3 grams of carbohydrate. Make sure you include fruits and vegetables, which are carbohydrates.

If you, as parents, follow this eating pattern, the more likely your kids are going to adhere to it as well. Healthy snacks include fruits, nuts and cereals. Bon appetite’!

5) Limit T.V. to 1-2 hours a day…for starters. Children’s brains go into a lower level of functioning while watching T.V., a “passive” mode if you will. Active thought and reason do not occur.

Children’s (and adults’) brains need to be stimulated by the world and people around them. Their brains, muscles and joints will be much better off when the T.V. is turned off and they are moving or at least engaged in participatory conversation! I know, I know, I am a fan of reality T.V. too; but, please give it a try!

6) Bonus: Use the internet to learn more about exercise and how it can improve your health and mental status. You and your children can learn from the exponential amount of information available on the internet. This can also be good, quality family time.

As you can see, all of these things can be done very easily and immediately. Introducing them to your family will be fun, maybe a little challenging, but, definitely rewarding.

The bottom line is to get your children moving to stimulate their body and brain. It is the best thing you can do for their physical and mental health!

“We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.”
-Winston Churchill

Copyright 2006 John Perry

Want to improve the mental, physical and financial aspects of your fitness? Go to http://www.hiptobefit.com/intro John B. Perry, P.T., C.S.C.S. is a fitness and biomechanics enhancement expert. He has a fitness newsletter website, writes e-books and articles, produces fitness videos and performs seminars and teleseminars on Health, Wealth and Fitness.

There are many ways to achieve the white teeth of your dreams, and hundreds of products to choose from. As with most things in life, you get what you pay for. The top of the line tooth whitening treatment is an in office laser whitening which will run you about $600.00 Expensive for some, but it gives guaranteed and immediate results. The cheapest method of tooth whitening is the use of whitening toothpaste. This is the cheapest, and the slowest method to obtain whiter looking teeth.

Whitening toothpastes are a very low cost and low tech way to make your teeth look whiter. With whitening toothpaste it can take up to six months of use twice a day to see what some manufacturers call the final whitening results. Whitening toothpastes do not actually increase the whiteness of the teeth, they work by removing stains from the teeth which in turn make the teeth appear whiter. A lot of people whiten their teeth initially with a in office laser whitening or with a gel tray and then use whitening toothpaste to help keep their smile white.

The success of any whitening toothpaste is directly related to how long and how often you brush your teeth. Some dental health professionals warn that the use of toothpastes in an effort to reduce staining and yellowing of teeth can cause the loss of tooth enamel due to over-brushing. Whitening toothpastes are made with chemicals and abrasives. Brushing too vigorously can lead to the loss of tooth enamel. Tooth enamel cannot be replaced. If you have sensitive teeth you may not be able to use whitening toothpaste.

Be aware that whitening toothpastes only affect the outer layer of enamel. This can cause the yellowness of the deeper layers of the teeth to become more pronounced.

Daily brushing with a regular toothpaste twice a day in concert with regular dental cleanings can help make your teeth look whiter, without fear of enamel loss. Also, rinsing your mouth out after drinking dark beverages such as coffee, tea or red wine can help prevent staining from occurring.

Before you start any whitening product you should have a thorough examination by your dentist. Make sure that you teeth and gums are healthy before you start. Always follow your dentist’s recommendations.

This article courtesy of www.smile-bright.net