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Steps to Get a Brighter Smile Today

A top cosmetic dentist shares her secrets to whitening your teeth throughout the day.

A bright smile is a high priority for most women, but that doesn’t mean they’re willing to spend thousands of dollars — and hours in the dentist’s chair — on a high-tech professional whitening treatment.

So, what’s a girl to do to get those pearly whites?

It doesn’t take much, according to top New York City cosmetic dentist Elisa Mello. Here, some quick fixes you can do throughout the day to get instant results:

In the Morning

If you like using whitening strips but don’t like sitting around for the 10 minutes they’re doing their magic, then multitask. “Use over-the-counter whitening strips and whiten while you wake up in the shower,” Mello recommends.

At Lunch

Swish water in your mouth for 30 seconds right after eating to help prevent stains from food, she says. Better yet? Keep a bottle of mouthwash at your desk, so you have it readily available.

During a Midday Snack

If cravings hit, chomp on apples, pears, strawberries, celery, or carrots. “Any raw fruit or vegetable that happens to produce saliva will help remove bacteria and whiten your teeth,” she tells Marie Claire.

After Work

When going out for the night, opt for a lipstick that will make your teeth appear brighter instantly. Lipsticks with blue undertones — rose, red, burgundy, and plum shades — work best. But be careful when choosing a hue with orange undertones. Those “can make your teeth appear dull and yellow,” Mello says.

At Dinner

When you finish your meal, pop in some whitening gum, which contains stain-removing calprox. Still, any gum will work. Because it stimulates saliva flow, it will act as a natural detergent.

Before Bed

Just like it’s a bad habit to go to sleep without removing your makeup, don’t hit the sheets until you brush — and try to get in a quick flossing session while you’re at it.

Beat the Heat: Tips to Prevent Heat Exhaustion

Those at greater risk for heat exhaustion are infants and young children, the elderly, people with heart disease or high blood pressure, and people working or exercising in hot weather.

Signs of Heat Exhaustion

Signs of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, tiredness, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea or vomiting, and fainting.   If heat exhaustion is not treated, it can lead to a heat stroke—when the body cannot control its temperature.  With heat stroke, body temperature may rise quickly to 106° F. or higher.  Heat stroke could be fatal or cause permanent disability if emergency treatment is not provided.  Seek medical treatment immediately if the symptoms are severe or the victim has heart problems or high blood pressure.

Cool-Down Tips

If a person shows the signs of heat exhaustion, here are some tips to help cool off:

• Move to the shade and preferably to an air-conditioned environment.
• Drink cool, nonalcoholic beverages.
• Rest.
• Take a cool shower, bath, or sponge bath.
• Wear lightweight clothing.

Prevention Tips

In hot weather to protect yourself against developing heat exhaustion:

• Drink more liquids, regardless of your activity level. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink.  (If your doctor limits your fluid intake or you are on a diuretic medication, check with your doctor on how much you should drink in hot weather.)
• Don’t drink liquids that contain caffeine, alcohol, or large amounts of sugar—these will cause you to lose more body fluid.
• Avoid very cold drinks—these could cause stomach cramps.
• Stay indoors, preferably in an air-conditioned place.
• Take a cool shower or bath.

If you have to be out in the heat:

• Limit your outdoor activity to morning and evening hours.
• Cut down on exercise.  If you must exercise, drink 2 to 4 glasses of cool nonalcoholic liquids each hour.  A sports drink can replace the salt and minerals you lose in sweat.
• Rest often in the shade.
• Protect .yourself from the sun with a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher.
• Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing

Protect Your Eyes From Computer Eye Strain

Nearly 75 million Americans spend many hours a day working in front of a computer.  Over 50 percent report some form of eye strain, including eye fatigue, dry eyes, burning eyes, light sensitivity, blurred vision, and headaches as well as pain in the shoulder, neck or back.

If you are one of those suffering from computer eyestrain, here are some steps to take to protect your eyes and reduce eyestrain:

• Have your eyes examined annually by an eye doctor.  If you wear glasses, consider a pair of glasses specifically designed for computer use. Also consider glare coating on your lenses .
• Select a computer monitor with a larger and flat screen.
• Place your screen 20 to 26 inches away from your eyes and the top of the screen at or a little below eye level.  The monitor distance should allow you to read the screen without leaning your head, neck, or trunk forward or backward.  Adjust text size as needed for ease in reading .
• To reduce glare, place your monitor perpendicular to a window, adjust or add window blinds, and reduce interior lighting to lower glare and reflections.  Use a task light that shines only on your paper .
• Use an antiglare screen on your computer .
• Take a vision break every 20 minutes or so and look at an object 20 feet or more away to relax your eye muscles .
• Blink your eyes regularly and more often to rewet your eyes and avoid dryness and irritation.  Use artificial tears if needed to lubricate your eyes.
• Use a document holder placed next to your computer screen so you do not have to turn your head back and forth or constantly refocus your eyes.
• Alternate your computer work with non-computer tasks to give your eyes a rest.

A Fog-Free Bathroom?

Everyone likes a nice warm shower. But it can be annoying when you look into your bathroom mirror and you feel like you’ve been time-warped into foggy old London!

So here’s a handy tip to keep that annoying fog off your bathroom mirror. Simply moisten the corner end of a bar of soap, and rub the soap on your mirror. After the soap has been applied, wipe the mirror with a dry cotton towel. Presto! No more foggy mirrors.