How To Get Your Biggest, Brightest, And Whitest Smile

Story From Penelope Andersan 

The main difference between results from in-office and at-home teeth whitening is the expected shade differential. At-home teeth whitening products remove stains that have built up over time, which means they can only help return to your natural shade.

A past study by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, claims that having a whiter smile can boost your mental health and enhance your career prospects. According to New York City-based Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Julian Isaacs, "when a patient’s smile makeover is done and they get a mirror for the first time, the reactions are amazing. There are smiles, hugs, and tears of joy that really make it all worth it.”

Here are some of the most effective whitening solutions for your teeth, including in-office systems, at-home kits, kinds of toothpaste, natural treatments, and dental veneers.

In-office Treatments
Dental office treatments often produce greater results, as they utilize a teeth bleaching process and can make your teeth whiter than they ever were naturally. One example of in-office teeth whitening systems is the Philips Zoom in-clinic portfolio, which has treatments that can lighten teeth up to eight shades.

While most treatments are in-office only, there are some that combine an in-office treatment with at-home use, such as the Philips Zoom QuickPro. For this particular procedure, two layers of the whitening varnish are applied in-office and then brushed or wiped off 30 minutes later. After the in-office portion is complete, patients are typically given an at-home kit to quick-start the whitening process.

If you opt for the Philips Zoom tray system, you will receive custom-fitted whitening trays to be worn at-home for either 30 minutes twice a day or overnight. Patients usually see results within two weeks of starting the at-home treatment. All of the Philips Zoom solutions have the ADA seal of approval, along with the in-clinic treatments that vary in cost, but average around $500.

At-home Products
At-home treatments take a bit more commitment than in-office treatments. They can be used as a substitution or in addition to custom-molded trays or Zoom solutions to maintain your new smile. The main difference between results from in-office and at-home teeth whitening is the expected shade differential. At-home teeth whitening products remove stains that have built up over the years, which means they can only help your teeth go back to their natural shade. Dr. Isaacs, a New York City-based Cosmetic Dentist explains, “they take anywhere from seven to 21 consecutive days of treatment to see the full results.”

Whitening toothpaste contains polishing beads and/or whitening agents to aid in stain removal. Like in-office treatments, some over-the-counter toothpaste also contains hydrogen peroxide, but in lower concentration relative to prescribed options, such as silica and charcoal. Thus, a whitening toothpaste would be your best option if you have more sensitive teeth and cannot tolerate in-office whitening.
Additionally, whitening strips and whitening rinses that are hydrogen peroxide-based can help individuals achieve a whiter smile. Depending on the person, whitening strips can show results within days of use, while whitening rinses typically take several weeks or months.

Dental Veneers
Dental veneers (also known as dental porcelain laminates and porcelain veneers) do not just fix the color of your teeth, but can also provide a long-term solution for teeth that are worn down, chipped, or misaligned and uneven. In addition to being able to personalize the color of your new teeth, your dentist will also be able to correct the overall appearance of your smile. The veneers are either made from porcelain or composite resin, with the choice of material to be specific to your lifestyle and the results you are seeking.

The veneer process is irreversible as your dentist will have to wear down the top layers of enamel before taking impressions and going ahead with the procedure. It is important to make sure you discuss any concerns with your dentist before taking the next steps. The process itself generally is not painful and requires three visits to the dentist. The first visit will allow you to discuss the procedure with your dentist, the second one will involve removing the top layers of enamel, taking imprints, and possibly even receiving temporary veneers to be fitted during a third visit. At this point, the color of your new veneers can still be adjusted by using different types of adhesive to stick the veneer to your natural tooth.

Results can last up to 15 years and you can treat your veneers as natural teeth as there are no specific cleaning instructions. You may suffer from more sensitive teeth after the procedure, but your dentist will advise on how to deal with that if it does happen.

Natural Solutions
Coconut Oil Coconut oil is a popular option if you would like to keep your teeth whitening chemical-free. In order to whiten your teeth using coconut oil, you will need to “pull” the oil, meaning you need to swish the liquid around your mouth for anywhere between five and 15 minutes, so it "pulls" back and forth through your teeth and gums. Fortunately, there are products packaged for single-use, making it easier to use coconut oil on-the-go. Alternatively, you can also use standard coconut oil that you may already have in your pantry. For best results, you should “pull” the coconut oil once a day.

Charcoal Powder Another popular natural option is activated charcoal powder that you dip a wet toothbrush into. The substance has also been used to detoxify the body and is thought to be effective at whitening teeth because it lifts debris off the teeth. While it will not be able to single-handedly give you a smile whiter than your natural shade, it can help rid of any lingering stains. One precaution you should take is to be careful not to swallow activated charcoal, as it can affect hydration levels and even affect the absorption of certain medication.

Baking Soda Baking soda has also long been used as an effective at-home teeth whitening method. Its chemical makeup enables it to gently lift stains off your teeth over time, similarly to charcoal. Both of these methods should be used at least four to five times a week, although more frequent use will not have any negative effect.

Other There are other alternatives that are said to whiten teeth too. In fact, they are common ingredients that may already be in your kitchen! Lemon or orange peels, strawberries, and even magnesium-rich leafy greens are all reported to enhance the brightness of your smile.
These natural solutions may be effective for some types of stains, but Dr. Isaacs says, “depending on the cause of the dark teeth they may not work.” If you are not seeing desired results with natural solutions, it could be worth having a discussion with your dentist to discuss alternatives.

When to Avoid Whitening
Teeth whitening is not for everyone. Children 16 years old or under should not whiten their teeth because the nerve of the tooth is still enlarged at this age and whitening can cause gum tissue to become irritated. Additionally, pregnant women and women breastfeeding should not whiten their teeth because of the chemicals found in teeth whitening pastes and other products.

Furthermore, those with sensitive teeth should discuss this sensitivity with a dentist before undergoing any at-home or in-office teeth whitening procedure. Dentists will be able to discuss options that minimize the risk of sensitivity being increased by teeth whitening. 

When asked about potential options for patients with sensitive teeth, Dr. Isaacs suggested a two-step process to reduce the risk of increasing the issue, explaining that “after the procedure, I’ll give my patients a desensitizing gel in order to help with any post whitening sensitivity.”

Penelope Andersan is from the Content Partnerships Team of The AEDITION, an online publication created by new, aesthetic enhancement platform AEDIT. AEDIT is a next-generation, go-to source for anyone looking to continue or begin their medial aesthetic journey.

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Wireless Headphones May Increase Radiation Cancer Risk

By now, you've seen the alarmist headlines claiming that wireless headsets, like Apple AirPods, could potentially cause cancer. But does this "news" mean you should ditch those beloved bluetooth headphones for old-school ear buds? The answer isn't so simple.

Here's why people are talking about this: Last week, a Medium article questioned the safety of AirPods and other bluetooth headphones. The story quotes Jerry Phillips, a biochemistry professor at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, who believes wireless headphones aren't as safe as we assume.

More than 200 scientists signed a petition urging for stricter regulations for bluetooth devices like AirPods and wireless headphones. Here's what you should know, including safe levels of radiation.

“My concern for AirPods is that their placement in the ear canal exposes tissues in the head to relatively high levels of radio-frequency radiation,” he said. Phillips told the website that risks include abnormal cell functioning, which may cause tumors or other health conditions.

The story surfaced a petition urging the United Nations and World Health Organization to strengthen guidelines and regulatory standards for bluetooth devices.

The document is signed by 250 researchers from more than 40 countries who caution that using certain devices may increase cancer risk. However, the petition isn't new–it originated in 2015–and specifically calls out non-ionizing electromagnetic fields (used in all bluetooth devices), as well as radiofrequency radiation emitting devices (like cell phones and Wi-Fi) as dangerous.

There's no question that bluetooth headphones emit radiation, but that doesn't mean you need to give them up, says Dr. Michael Schulder, director of Northwell Health's Brain Tumor Center in Lake Success, New York.

Although most experts agree that there is no safe level of radiation, it's simply not possible to avoid exposure, Schulder says.

"We cannot avoid radiation in our lives even if we lived a completely pastoral existence off the grid," he says.
That's because radiation is in our food, plants, airplane travel, and even the sun. The bigger question, then, is how much do you willingly want to expose yourself to radiation?


"For me, the added convenience of the AirPods doesn’t matter to me so I choose not to use them," Schulder says. However, if you really enjoy wireless headphones, there's no reason to give them up. Schulder explains that wireless headphones emit less radiation than another gadget most of us are glued to: cellphones.

"There has not been a major bump in tumors to suggest that cell phones are causing it [the tumors] and we know that the bluetooth radiation is less than cell phones themselves," he says.

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Kidney And Its Natural Care

As the global health community marks World Kidney Day (WKD) today, it is necessary to look into the nature of kidney and how it can be managed naturally. This is in view of the fact that most kidney problems, especially the chronic ones, are more easily prevented than cured. It is esteemed that over 25 million Nigerians are currently suffering from chronic kidney diseases. But what are the various natural means of caring for the kidney?

“Contrary to popular belief, no studies have proven over-hydration as an effective practice in enhancing kidney function,” says Nephrologist James Simon, MD. So, while it’s always a good idea to drink enough water, drinking more than the typical four to six glasses a day probably won’t help your kidneys do their job any better. Your kidneys can tolerate a wide range of dietary habits, but Dr. Simon points out that most kidney problems arise out of other medical conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes.

If you’re healthy, getting a regular exercise is a good idea because, like healthy eating habits, regular physical activity can stave off weight gain and high blood pressure. But do be mindful of how much exercise you do, especially if you’re not conditioned. Overexerting yourself when you’re not fit and healthy can put a strain on your kidneys, especially if you exercise so much that you cause excessive breakdown of muscle tissue.

Smoking can damage blood vessels, which decreases the flow of blood in the kidneys. When the kidneys don’t have adequate blood flow, they can’t function at optimal levels. Smoking also increases the risk of high blood pressure as well as the risk of kidney cancer. Common non-prescription pills like ibuprofen and naproxen (NSAID’s) can cause kidney damage if taken too regularly over a prolonged period. 

Cranberry juice has been touted for years as supporter for the urinary tract. Research shows that cranberries can help fight against urinary tract infections, possibly by decreasing the adhesion of bacteria to the bladder and urethra. Cranberries may also be helpful for cleansing the kidneys of excess calcium oxalate, one of the main contributors to kidney stones. When purchasing cranberry juice, always choose varieties that are certified organic and free of added sugars, preservatives, or artificial flavors; or, get a juicer and make your own. 

Beets and beet juice contain betaine, a very beneficial phytochemical. It has antioxidant qualities and increases the acidity of urine. This can help clear calcium phosphate and struvite buildup from the kidneys. The removal of calcium in the kidneys not only promotes kidney function, but decreases the likelihood of kidney stones.

Naturally acidic, lemon juice has been shown to increase citrate levels in the urine, a factor that discourages kidney stones from forming. For a quick lemon kidney cleanse, squeeze 4-5 lemons into a quart of cold water and drink up. Or, for a warming beverage, squeeze one quarter to one half a lemon into 8 ounces of hot water daily. 

Juice cleanses are all the rage, and with good reason. A juice cleanse combines the nutritional power of fruits and vegetables into one, easy-to-drink beverage. The juice of vegetables and fruits is loaded with antioxidants and nutrients necessary for facilitating the removal of toxins. This helps take the strain off the liver, colon, and kidneys. Vegetables like celery, cucumber, zucchini, lettuce, carrots, kale, and spinach are great for juicing. For fruits, try apples, peeled oranges, pears, pineapple, and peaches.

Here’s one of the favorite beverages that will aid any kidney cleanse. All you will need are fresh lemons, apple cider vinegar (organic and raw), purified water, and Renaltrex. It is suggested that checking out the full kidney cleanse instructions for a detailed breakdown. But, in short, it involves mixing lemon juice, purified water, ACV, and Renaltrex into a beverage that you drink over the span of a four day cleanse.   

There’s no questioning the fact that certain nutrients are beneficial for kidney health but many people don’t get enough in their diet. That’s where kidney cleansing supplements can be helpful. The best ones contain herbs have had their active compounds extracted and enhanced to maximize efficacy. There are a number of herbs out there and a supplement like Renaltrex is a great source for many. 

Please be aware that many people today are gluten intolerant and as such can suffer from gluten induced kidney damage. If you are not sure or are suspicious that you might be gluten intolerant, get genetically tested for gluten sensitivity.  If you have actually have kidney disease, make sure your doctor checks your 25 OH D levels (vitamin D).  Additionally, make sure that he measures for other nutritional deficiencies as well. Malabsorption is a common cause of secondary diseases for those with intolerance or sensitivity to gluten.

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Daytime Nap Could Lower High Blood Pressure

Health researchers have again validated the importance of sleep as they found that a midday nap may not just boost an individual’s energy levels but could lower high blood pressure. Before now, daytime napping has been linked to boosting energy levels and productivity for the rest of the workday.

The scientists from Asklepieion General Hospital in Voula, Greece, in a new study, revealed that taking a nap at midday can effectively help people lower their blood pressure levels. Commenting on the findings, one of the study researchers, Dr. Manolis Kallistratos, said: “Midday sleep appears to lower blood pressure levels at the same magnitude as other lifestyle changes. For example, salt and alcohol reduction can bring blood pressure levels down by 3 to 5 [millimeters of mercury (mmHg)].”

The investigators worked with 212 participants who had a mean blood pressure of 129.9 mm Hg.

According to guidelines from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, a person has high blood pressure if their readings of systolic blood pressure (pressure during a heartbeat) are 140 mm Hg or higher, and their readings of diastolic blood pressure (pressure between heartbeats) are 90 mm Hg or higher.

Kallistratos and his team in the study of participants who were over 62 years, after over 24 consecutive hours, found there no significant differences between how many blood pressure drugs participants in the two groups took.

The researchers found that people who took a daytime nap saw a 5.3 mm Hg drop in systolic blood pressure, which, the researchers explain, was about as much as someone could expect when taking blood pressure medication or making certain lifestyle changes to lower blood pressure.

The team added that each additional 60 minutes of napping time reduced average 24-hour systolic blood pressure by 3 mm Hg. Kallistratos further explained that taking low doses of specialised drugs can lower a person’s blood pressure levels by about 5–7 mm Hg on average.

He said: “These findings are important because a drop in blood pressure as small as 2 mm Hg can reduce the risk of cardiovascular events, such as heart attack, by up to 10 per cent.” He maintained that based on the findings, if someone has the luxury to take a nap during the day, it may also have benefits for high blood pressure.

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The Benefits Of Co-sleeping With Your Baby

Co-sleeping doesn’t necessarily mean that your baby should sleep in your bed with you, it also means that he can sleep in his own cot, but in your room. Here’s how this can benefit both of you. 

Co-sleeping is often thought to be synonymous with bed, but co-sleeping can also mean putting your baby to sleep in the same room as you, but in a separate bed.

If your baby is six months or younger, experts recommend that healthy babies be placed on their backs to sleep, as this is the safest position for them. Putting your baby to sleep on his back decreases his chance of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and this applies to both naps and nighttime sleeping.

Babies naturally fall into a day and night pattern

It’s not uncommon for newborns to mix up their days and nights. Many babies sleep extra soundly throughout the day, but can be restless or wakeful much of the night. Keeping your baby close during the day with lights and noise around can eventually help her to stay a bit more alert in the daytime. Keeping your baby close at night, and meeting her needs within a quiet and dim environment, can help her learn to rest more at night. Babies also rest more soundly when they feel secure.

Co-sleeping helps babies practice rousing themselves

While having your newborn falling into, and staying in, a deep sleep might sound appealing, it isn’t the type of sleep they were designed to have. Co-sleeping babies are frequently aroused when close with their moms. This practice rousing can help babies learn to use their self-preservation instinct to rouse when there’s any danger such as overheating, being too cold, or something blocking their airway. Being able to easily rouse may reduce the risk of SIDS.

You can meet baby’s needs without getting up

Most babies need to be fed, soothed and changed at night. If your baby is close by, you can do all of these things while in bed and remain in a restful state. Getting out of bed, walking down the hall, changing nappies on the changing pad, feeding in a glider and soothing baby back to sleep requires being fully awake and alert.

Experience less night time crying

Babies sleep well when they feel secure. Knowing you are close will likely help your baby sleep better and fuss less. Moms who co-sleep are able to notice earlier signs of hunger and needing to be changed. Often, mom can wake during these early signs and meet baby’s needs before they begin to cry. When you co-sleep there is less trying to get baby to settle down to sleep before laying them down. This often means less crying. You aren’t likely to have an overtired baby fussing and protesting being laid down in her cot to sleep.

Co-sleeping helps with bonding and secure attachment

A secure attachment between a baby and her caregiver is an emotional bond that leaves the baby feeling secure and cared for. This secure attachment, fostered in infancy, translates to a child feeling secure and knowing their caregiver will always return to meet their needs. Children with a secure attachment often respond appropriately to situations, show minimal distress when their mother leaves, and are happy when their mother returns.

Co-sleeping helps with maintaining an adequate milk supply

Feeding on demand helps moms maintain an adequate milk supply. Breast milk production is a supply-and-demand process. Babies are designed to eat frequently at night and co-sleeping helps to make it easier for mom and baby to meet this need.

Co-sleeping can mean better rest for mom

Moms, not just babies, are wired for closeness. Studies show that new moms do not experience a better quality of sleep if their babies go to the nursery at night. Co-sleeping may not guarantee more sound sleep for every mom, but many report sleeping better knowing their baby is safe and close by. Moms also release oxytocin when they are close to their babies, which improves sleep quality and is also great for breastfeeding.

As your baby grows, he may not want to sleep all night, every night, with you. With a bit of trial and error, you’ll eventually find a method that works for you, your partner, and your baby.

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Smoking During Pregnancy Could Cause Sudden Infant Death

The first findings to result from a collaboration between Seattle Children's Research Institute and Microsoft data scientists provides expecting mothers new information about how smoking before and during pregnancy contributes to the risk of an infant dying suddenly and unexpectedly before their first birthday.

According to the study published in Pediatrics, any amount of smoking during pregnancy -- even just one cigarette a day -- doubles the risk of an infant dying from sudden unexpected infant death (SUID). For women who smoked an average of 1-20 cigarettes a day, the odds of SUID increased by 0.07 with each additional cigarette smoked.

"With this information, doctors can better counsel pregnant women about their smoking habits, knowing that the number of cigarettes smoked daily during pregnancy significantly impacts the risk for SUID," said Dr. Tatiana Anderson, a researcher in Seattle Children's Center for Integrative Brain Research and lead author on the study. "Similar to public health campaigns that educated parents about the importance of infant sleep position, leading to a 50% decrease in sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) rates, we hope advising women about this risk will result in less babies dying from these tragic causes."

If no women smoked during pregnancy, Anderson and her co-authors estimate that 800 of the approximately 3,700 deaths from SUID every year in the U.S. could be prevented, lowering current SUID rates by 22%.

Data deep dive provides detailed view of smoking's impact on SUID risk

To better understand how smoking contributed to SUID risk, the researchers used computational modeling techniques to analyze maternal cigarette smoking habits for all U.S. live births from 2007 to 2011.

Of the about 20 million live births included in their analysis, over 19,000 deaths were attributed to SUID with the specific cause of death occurring from SIDS, an ill-defined and unknown cause, or accidental suffocation and strangulation in bed.

Beyond overall cigarette consumption, the researchers also looked at how smoking before pregnancy, and cutting back or quitting smoking during pregnancy, affected SUID risk.

Compared to the over half of pregnant smokers who did not reduce their smoking during pregnancy, women who reduced cigarette consumption by the third trimester saw a 12% decrease in SUID risk. Successfully quitting smoking was associated with a 23% reduction in risk.

Their analysis also showed that mothers who smoked three months before pregnancy and quit in the first trimester still incurred a higher risk of SUID compared to non-smokers.

Anderson says the data from this study supports public health efforts aimed at encouraging women to quit smoking well before pregnancy.

"The most important takeaway is for women to understand that quitting smoking before and during pregnancy by far results in the greatest reduction in SUID risk," she said. "For pregnant women unable to quit entirely, every cigarette they can eliminate will reduce the odds of their child dying suddenly and unexpectedly from SUID."

One of the study's co-authors, Juan Lavista, Senior Director of Data Science, AI For Good Research Lab at Microsoft, explains how the research team applied Microsoft Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) technology to better understand SUID and potentially save lives.

"Using A.I., we built machine learning models that analyzed millions of pieces of data on child births and deaths, including mothers' smoking histories, allowing us to do something that was not done before: assess the impact that each additional cigarette has on SUID at this level of granularity," he said. 

"Through our AI for Humanitarian Action initiative, Microsoft data scientists will continue studying other causes of SUID alongside Seattle Children's and SUID experts around the world."

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