Baking Soda Beauty Tips

Baking soda is a versatile and natural substance that is made from sodium carbonate, soda ash, or sodium bicarbonate. It is a known fact that baking soda has numerous uses including baking, deodorizing, everyday cleaning, and best of all beauty.
Many beauty products can be created in the convenience of your own home using a box of affordable baking soda and a few other ingredients. Below are ten beauty products that you can easily make using baking soda.
1. Relaxing bath: To create a relaxing bath, add ½ cup of baking soda to your bath water. This will leave your skin feeling refreshed and smooth.
2. Foot care: To give your feet a treat, mix 3 tablespoons of baking soda in a tub or basin of warm water. Soak your feet for desired amount of time. Then, create a paste of baking soda and water and gently scrub your feet with it. Your feet will thank you for this!
3. Clean brushes and combs: To clean brushes and combs by removing natural build up of oil and hair product residue, soak combs and brushes in a solution of 1 teaspoon of baking soda in a small tub or basin of warm water. Rinse combs and brushes thoroughly and allow them to dry before use.
4. Skin exfoliant: To create a gentle skin exfoliant, create a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water. Rub the mixture in a gentle circular motion to exfoliate your face and/or body. Rinse baking soda off with warm water.
5. Hair care: For beautiful, shiny, and more manageable hair, sprinkle a quarter-size of baking soda into the palm of your hand and mix it with your favorite shampoo. Shampoo your hair as normal and rinse thoroughly. The baking soda and shampoo mixture will help remove product residue allowing your hair to be cleaner.
6. Whiter teeth: For whiter teeth, brush your teeth with baking soda. Rinse out your mouth with water when finished.
7. Baking soda bath oil (for 1 bath): To create a soothing bath oil, you will need 4 tablespoons of baking soda, 8 fluid ounces of honey, 16 fluid ounces of milk, 16 tablespoons of sea or cooking salt, and 4 fluid ounces of baby oil.
In a large bowl, mix the baking soda, honey, milk, and salt; stir well. Pour the mixture in a bath of warm water and add the baby oil. Use your hands to stir the mixture with the water and step into your soothing bath.
8. Rough skin: To smooth rough skin on your elbows, knees, and other areas, make a paste of baking soda and water and rub on skin. Rinse away paste with warm water.
9. Nail care: To soften your cuticles and clean your nails, apply baking soda to your cuticle brush. Now, scrub your nails and cuticles for great looking nails.
10. Dry shampoo: Running late and don't have time to shampoo? Mix 1 part baking soda, 1 part baby powder, and 3 drops essential oil. Apply the mixture to the roots of your hair, including bangs, and comb through. This mixture will absorb excess oils and freshen up your hair.
Grab your box of baking soda and start creating your own spa-like beauty products today!-By Lesley Dietschy

Teeth Whitening, the Plain Truth

Virtually everyone wanting to brighten their smile can benefit from teeth whitening. Patients with teeth that are discolored due to age, smoking or other extrinsic staining factors are excellent candidates for teeth whitening. Research indicates that teeth whitening is completely effective in more than 78% of people. As teeth whitening continues to grow in popularity, research continues into all types of whitening systems.
Teeth whitening is not permanent, and works by removing the organic materials in the enamel by dissolving them with a peroxide derivative. Also, teeth whitening is only effective if there is a lot of enamel.
There are two principle forms of teeth whitening: professional whitening and teeth whitening kits.
Professional Teeth Whitening
The most effective and safest method of teeth whitening is the dentist-supervised procedure. First, the dentist will determine whether you are a candidate for teeth whitening and what type of whitening system would provide the best results. The dentist should also go over what you personally can expect for your individual situation. Before the teeth whitening treatment, most dentists clean the teeth, fill any cavities, and make sure the patient's gums are healthy.
Dentists will usually advise trying teeth whitening first, to avoid the need for more complex cosmetic work. Complications that can occur in professional teeth whitening are infrequent and are usually minor in nature. Overall, teeth whitening under professional supervision is an effective method for whitening the teeth.
Teeth Whitening Kits
An alternative method to professional teeth whitening is to use a teeth whitening system or kit. Most teeth whitening systems consists of a whitening gel that is placed in mouthpieces that fit over your teeth for various amounts of time. On average, quality teeth whitening kits cost approximately $500 to $800. Budget teeth whitening systems start at around $29.95, though they are generally less effective.
The American Dental Association has granted its seal of approval to some teeth whitening products, so be sure and look for the ADA mark of approval if you are going to purchase a whitening kit. It is important that the manufacturer's directions are followed precisely when using an at home teeth whitening kit. Also, do not use a teeth whitening product for more than 14 days without consulting a dental professional.
Disadvantages and Limitations of Teeth Whitening
Although teeth whitening is very effective, there can be short term disadvantages, such as sore gums or sore teeth from the bleach. Crowns, bridges, bonding, and fillings only return to their original coloring; they do not lighten any further with professional teeth whitening. Different stains require different solutions, therefore it is important to have a consultation with an oral health professional before trying a teeth whitening product.
While teeth whitening does create brighter smiles, some people's expectations are very high and they are disappointed with the results.
Research continues into all types of whitening systems. Due to its effectiveness, teeth whitening is sure to continue to grow in popularity. Regular professional teeth cleaning by your dentist will help support the lasting success of teeth whitening.
Consider teeth whitening if your teeth are darkened from age, coffee, tea or smoking.

By Jon Leger

7 Tips to Whiten Your Teeth - 7 Best Home White Teeth Remedies to Improve Your Beautiful Smile

In a society where every book is judge by its cover, the first impression is very very important. Whether it's a relationship or a job, having yellow teeth is a turn off and could ruin your chance to get that significant other half or perfect job. These are the 7 tips you can use to get whiter teeth fast and prevent it from discoloring.
1. Drink a lot of water (8 glasses a day) will not only flush out the toxins and wastes in your body but also create a healthy white teeth. Most of the time, all the food colors and toxin we intake are reflected by the color of our teeth.
2. Avoid dark fruits like blueberries, blackberries, and beats which can cause discoloration is tooth. If you like to eat these, make sure to brush your teeth right after to prevent teeth from changing color. Also avoid drinking coffee and red wine for the same reason. Although red wine gives you lots of antioxidants, drinking one or two glasses a day is fine.
3. Brush your teeth more often will help reduce stains which help increase the tooth whiteness. I use the vibrating tooth brush with round edges which can clean each tooth more effectively.
4. Eat more fruits like apples, pearls, celery or carrots which trigger lots of saliva to help scrub away dirty stains. These foods are naturally high in antioxidants and vitamins anyways so it would be a great one two body and teeth healthy combination.
5. Stop smoking cigarettes or cigars because smoking is the worst offenders when it come to teeth discoloring. Nicotine creates the brown color in tooth which can be difficult to clean and whiten.
6. Use Teeth whitening strips and pens once or twice a day to whiten your teeth with faster results. This is great before an important event such as a nice date, job interview, or wedding. Teeth whitening strips are extremely popular and widely used everywhere. It is more affordable and even more convenience to your time. Make sure to use the free trials to test if the products is right for the sensitivity of your teeth.
7. Get your professional teeth whitening treatment at your dentist office. Over here, you can get a customize mouth tray which will stay in your mouth for a couple of hours. After that, you will get the bright white beautiful smile and a nice invoice of $200-900.

Vicky D. Taylor

10 Best Natural Teeth Whitening Tips - Nurse's Guide

In the past when you wanted white teeth you would have to go to your dentist because that was the only way to get teeth whitening, usually with corrosive tooth bleach. Although bleach preparations have improved they can still be harsh. Today there are many ways to whiten your teeth; however most of them involve dangerous chemicals that may be able to seep through the delicate tissues in your mouth, under the tongue. You can avoid the potential problems, from whitening your teeth, that you might get from chemical exposure through tooth bleaching and whitening products, kits, strips, gels and systems.

There are a few natural ways to whiten your teeth or prevent them from discoloring and a form of natural bleaching in some cases. In this article I'll list a few tips for natural treatments you can do at home.

1. First of all the obvious one of making regular appointments for cleaning your teeth is first on the list. Many people let this slide but it's important to not only get on a regular schedule with the dentist's office setting up future appointments but also having them call and remind you to come in. Once you get on a schedule of once or twice a year then you will find you don't need to worry about whiter teeth as often, except if you smoke.

2. Make sure to brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day. Make sure to floss at bedtime and use a cheap gum massager to get under the gum flap. You want to prevent the buildup of plaque, which can discolor your teeth. Focusing on your teeth will help you prevent some staining of your teeth.

You want to avoid getting plaque as much as possible. Carry floss with you. And floss discreetly when eating out. At home you can floss while you watch TV if you seem to not get around to it after meals. But make sure to floss at bedtime because you have six to nine hours or more while you're sleeping when the bacteria can go to work on the enamel. Make sure to rinse your mouth after eating.

3. Avoid drinking water with any added fluoride or using toothpaste with fluoride as it's been reported that it can discolor or stain your teeth. Also many other countries have banned fluoride in their drinking water due to diseases and symptoms that have been connected with it.

4. If you smoke try to cut down as much as possible and of course it s better for your health to quit smoking altogether as you no doubt know. Smokers have a more difficult time keeping their teeth white than non-smokers so you may have to work harder at it.

5. Coffee and tea are notorious for causing teeth staining. Make sure to sip or rinse your mouth with water while you're drinking coffee or tea and after you're done. Colas and wine can also cause stains on the teeth.

6. Some fruits such as strawberries are excellent tooth whiteners. Strawberries can be rubbed on the teeth or mashed up in a paste and brushed on. Leave on the teeth for five minutes. Rinse well.

You can use the inside of an orange peel which is also good for whitening. You can rub the peel right on your teeth, or take organic dried orange peel and ground bay leaves and make a paste and brush it on. Some people swear by a lemon juice and salt mixture too. In any case make sure to rinse your mouth well after using these natural tooth whitening treatments.

7. Baking soda has long been used for dental whitening. Many types of toothpaste have baking soda in their ingredients because of its effectiveness. You can make your own baking soda whitener though. Just mix baking soda with a little salt - a good cheap teeth whitening home remedy.

8. Avoid using mouthwashes. Besides alcohol they contain other chemicals that can stain or discolor teeth. They can easily absorb through the delicate tissues under your tongue and be absorbed into your system. One well-known mouthwash was reported recently to actually discolor the teeth with brown stains.

9. Drinks lots of water. Rinse your mouth thoroughly after every meal or snack to make sure no food residue is sticking to your teeth.

10. Try to eat a better diet with lots of raw foods - fruits and veggies. Make huge salads. Avoid fast food and processed food as much as possible. Avoid constant snacking. All of this will help give you brighter, whiter teeth with fewer cavities.

Teeth whitening by using natural treatments will prevent exposure to harsh chemicals. Natural whitening is cheap and almost free in most cases. You can have a winning smile without hurting the tissues in your mouth and damaging the enamel on your teeth.

By Helen Hecker