Home Remedies

Natural Remedies

Style3[OneLeft]

Style3[OneRight]

Style4

Style5[ImagesOnly]

Style6

The Hidden Benefits of Castor Oil



In recent years, there have been rumours as to its ability to prevent greying hair, reduce arthritis symptoms and boost immunity - so it seems there is no ailment this natural ingredient cannot cure.

It is stable oil, making it great for use in cosmetics as it last for years without turning rancid. It has excellent moisturising properties due to its high fat content, which is absorbed into the skin very slowly, creating long-lasting shine and moisture.

For reasons widely unknown, the substance has been used for many centuries to induce labour in pregnant mothers. These days, however, it is not recommended that the substance be ingested due to its unpleasant side effects such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. For this reason, it is often used in folk medicine as a natural laxative to treat chronic constipation.

In some cases, it has actually been known to cause foetal complications in pregnant women, so it's best avoided as an induction technique. If you're not pregnant, however, the ingredient can be used as an effective stomach cleanser when mixed with milk. Rumour has it than when combined with orange juice, castor oil can also be a great hangover cure.

However, it does have a variety of other uses, all of which are incredibly beneficial to the body, skin and hair. It is regularly used in massage blends to treat the whole body due to its slow absorption. It also draws in dirt, so it is ideal for cleaning or cleansing products.

Its sticky consistency means that is provides hair, nails and skin with a beautiful shine. It is ideal when combined with sweet almond extract, apricot kernels or jojoba. These combinations can help revive tired skin or hair and even reduce eye bags. It can also be used in rejuvenating face masks with ingredients such as camelina, avocado or moringa.

It can also dramatically reduce pigmentation marks or spots on the skin's surface and improve the overall quality of the skin. You'll need to mix 90ml of it with 8g melted beeswax, 1ml Vitamin E and 25 drops of lemon essence. These ingredients can be found in most health food stores or through an online specialist in natural cosmetic ingredients.

To create your own Castor Cleanser for use at the end of a long day, you'll need to combine 60ml of organic castor oil with 29ml of apricot kernel, 10ml of jojiba, 1ml of Vitamin E and a small amount (0.5ml) or any other essence of your choosing. This last step is optional, but can provide the cream with a nice scent - for example, lavender or chamomile.

Alternatively, if you intend to use your product for massage purposes, you can create a moisturising Swedish Massage Blend by combining 30ml of castor oil with 29ml of jojoba; 20ml of olive oil; 10g of coconut butter; 0.5ml vitamin E and 10ml of thistle.

Castor oil is incredibly thick, sticky and resistant, so it should only be used in very small quantities. If in doubt, find a natural ingredient supplier online and ask them which concentration you should use it in for your chosen homemade product.

If you're keen to reap the benefits of this natural ingredient, there are plenty of online recipes that will also offer instruction and guidance.

Aromantic is a leading UK-based provider of natural cosmetic and beauty product ingredients. The company provides 100% organic, natural ingredients, recipes and courses to customers, allowing them to make their own beauty products. Aromantic provide over 700 high-quality ingredients, ecological packaging and equipment to enable individuals or business owners to create their environmentally responsible and nourishing skin, hair and makeup products. Their natural, active ingredients will produce incredible results in hair, skin and body care and are suitable for all skin types and conditions. The company is also a renowned stockist of high quality essential oils, natural perfume concentrates, natural fats and waxes for the body. They can provide starter packs, educational materials and courses for both professionals and beginners. Visit: http://aromantic.co.uk/

By

What's the Best Treatment for Dandruff?


Dandruff affects the scalp and causes the scalp to flake - it is a common condition. Our skin cells are continually renewing themselves. When the skin cells on our scalp are renewed the old ones are pushed to the surface. If you are a person who suffers with dandruff the renewal process is faster, making the dandruff more of a noticeable problem.

The exact cause of dandruff is not known, although it is believed by some professionals to be associated with an over-growth of Malassezia, which is a fungus commonly found on the skin and scalp. Dandruff can be a long-term problem or it can be the result of certain lifestyle changes or stress. If you have dandruff you may also notice itching and redness on the scalp. Excessive flaking may be caused by an underlying illness or condition, such as psoriasis, a fungal infection, or even head lice.

Having dandruff can be a real blow to a persons self-esteem, knocking ones confidence. Therefore, finding an effective treatment for dandruff may be important for both physiological and psychological reasons.

How to help prevent Dandruff.

Before we start with the cures and for getting rid of dandruff let's have a quick look a some of the steps we can take to help prevent dandruff.
  1. When you shampoo your hair, try not to scratch your scalp too much.

  2. Try to avoid putting to many chemicals on your hair such as hair dye.

  3. Try to manage your stress better. Good quality sleep and meditation could help you de-stress.

  4. Brush your hair at least once a day. Shampoo it at least three times a week.

  5. Cut down on your use of hair products such as gel and spray until your dandruff calms down.

  6. Clean your comb everyday. Try using a good quality barbicide (The blue liquid you may have seen your barber or hairdresser using to store their combs and clippers etc)

  7. Get more Vitamin B in your diet. Include more seafood, fresh vegetables and nuts in your diet.

  8. Don't wash your hair in hard water. If you live in an area with hard water, have a filter fitted, or wash your hair with bottled water.

  9. Change your shampoo. Sometimes you may be using a shampoo which just doesn't agree with your scalp and can actually agitate the sebaceous glands and cause dandruff. Once you've found a shampoo that works for you, stick with it.

Okay, that's the preventative stuff out of the way... what about the cures?

How to get rid of Dandruff Naturally.

For those of you who prefer to do things the natural way there are plenty of options available to you. If you prefer to using commercially available medicated products instead of going the home remedy type route, then you can skip the next few paragraphs.
  • Yogurt makes an excellent hair conditioner. After washing your hair, try rubbing some plain yogurt into your scalp. Leave it for 10 of 15 minutes to do its stuff. Rinse your hair through with a vinegar water mix (you don't need much vinegar, just a tablespoon in a bowl of water). After you've rinsed with the vinegar water, rinse it again with warm water until it's clean. You can then wash your hair through with a little shampoo if you wish.

  • Boil the peels of a lemon or two in 1 liter of water for 15-20 minutes. Let it cool and rinse your hair with this solution about once a week.

  • Mix the juice of half a lemon with 4 tablespoons of warmed olive oil (obviously not hot, just warm. You don't want burn yourself). Rub the mixture into the roots before washing your hair with a mild shampoo.

  • Get some boric acid powder. This is available at the chemist or online and it is usually used as an eye wash. Warm any natural oil such as olive oil, coconut oil or castor oil, add one teaspoon of boric powder and allow it to dissolve. Part your hair into separate sections and apply the oil and massage it well into the scalp. Keep it on for 2-3 hours or ideally overnight if you can, and then wash your hair in the morning. Do this procedure once a week and if your dandruff is stubborn, try it twice a week.

  • Mix two tablespoons of malt or cider vinegar into a mug of warm water. After you have washed your hair and rinsed it of shampoo, do a final rinse with this vinegar mix. Do this two of three times a week.

  • Take 2 tablespoons of fenugreek seeds, leave them to soak overnight. In the morning grind them into a fine paste. This paste should be applied on the scalp and left for half an hour. The hair should be then washed thoroughly with mild shampoo.

  • Add a drop of tea tree oil to your regular shampoo. Tea tree oil has been used for centuries and is a highly effective anti-septic and anti-fungal substance. It's works great to combat dandruff.

Over the Counter Remedies.

If the natural home-remedies aren't helping to get rid of dandruff, you might want to try some of the many medicated shampoos that are available over the counter, T-Gel and Head & Shoulders being two which spring to mind. Try to get a trial sized sample of any brand medicated shampoo before making a purchasing. Some brands my work better for you than some others, because they can be quite harsh some medicated shampoos may even worsen your dandruff problem by irritating your skin. So shop around until you find one that works.

What if treatments don't work?

If you have tried all the above methods and nothing has seemed to work for you it could mean there are underlying problems. You may need to speak to a doctor or dermatologist so that they can diagnose what the problem is exactly.

Possible Dermatologist Concerns for Babies


A dermatologist is the medical specialist that we go to when we have concerns about our skin. They are educated and trained to diagnose, maintain and treat or correct any conditions that appear in this area. Since the dermis is the first line of defense that our body has against diseases and other sicknesses, it is understandable that we get concerned when we find something unusual or new with it. For the most part, adults have developed a good defense against many of the outside factors that tend to make our outer layer break out or develop rashes. Babies on the other hand have little or no immunity when they are born with regards to skin infections and other diseases that occur in this organ.

Possible Conditions

A diaper rash is one of the most common things that can happen to the infant's dermis during its first year. A dermatologist is usually consulted to bring it under control since babies feel discomfort and sometimes pain when the rash becomes too prominent. The main cause of this condition is the predictably warm and moist atmosphere that occurs within the diaper that comes in close contact with the infant, namely the buttocks and genital area. If the diaper is soiled by urine, many parents do not immediately notice this or do not change it yet thinking that the diaper is absorbent.

Although the diaper does absorb the urine, the outer layer closest to the skin retains some of the moisture and the elements of the urine which can cause sensitivity. Prolonged or regular exposure to this environment can trigger the rash. Feces should not be allowed to stay too long in contact with the dermis in order to prevent the rash getting worse. Changing soiled diapers often is the best thing that parents can do for their babies.

Another condition that warrants a visit to the dermatologist is intertrigo. This is a condition that develops in chubby babies or in those that have plenty of creases that do not often see the light of day or are not exposed to air. The most common areas for these to develop are the neck and groin areas where he baby may be sweating excessively or may have drooled on. A barrier cream made of zinc-oxide may be recommended by the doctor to prevent the rash from developing to a raw one. 
Cradle cap is a rash that often develops in the babies' head and sometimes eyebrows. For some, it may look like a mild case of dandruff but a dermatologist will say otherwise. Although the cause is not known, a local remedy is to rub a little olive oil or baby oil on the area to relieve the scalp and eyebrows of the scaly growth. Do not let the oil come close to the eyes.

These are just a few of the more common kinds of skin conditions that parents should be aware of. They do not need to panic when these occur, just bring the infant to the dermatologist to get a proper diagnosis.

The Serious Dangers of Mold and Mildew in Your House


Two years of severe hurricane hits along the Gulf Coast and heavy rains and flooding this spring in the Northeast are providing a nationwide breeding ground for indoor mold and mildew growth (some deadly) now that summer heat is here. What is the solution?

The subject is surrounded by controversy. The Centers for Disease Control, Institute of Medicine, as well as scientists and doctors at Harvard University, Mayo Clinic, Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, and several State Health Agencies have all looked at the problem. There have been several studies conducted by medical researchers over the past few years looking for any linkages between various respiratory and physical ailments and deaths and the presence of molds in our living space. While some say there is a linkage, others say the facts don’t support that.

Here are the facts. Mold is everywhere; inside and outside. Some molds are good (penicillin), some are very toxic and emit gases that can be inhaled (Stachybotrys “black mold”). Although some people apparently aren’t bothered by mold, all varieties have the potential to cause illness. Mold reproduces by generating spores that are released into the air, where they land on moist surfaces. They can grow on any organic surface such as wallpaper, ceiling tiles, carpeting, wallboard and wood. They thrive in dark, warm, moist locations, like under carpets, inside walls and ceilings. They will also contaminate items that come in contact with those surfaces.

Mold can trigger allergic reactions and asthma attacks in many. Complaints of flu-like symptoms, chronic fatigue syndrome, memory impairment, migraines, sick building syndrome, dizziness and nosebleeds are common. These are the mild symptoms. Many researchers claim that mold can attack several main body systems, including the brain, central nervous and immune systems and have been the direct cause of some deaths. Regardless of where you stand on this issue, who wants to smell mold/mildew and inhale spores from household fungus? They can lodge in your lungs (remember dark, warm and moist). Asthmatics, infants and individuals suffering immune system deficiencies are particularly susceptible.

So, what should you do if you think that your home might have a mold/mildew problem? Here’s a suggested 5 step process:

• Mold Inspection- retain a qualified, certified mold inspection firm to evaluate your home and determine cause of mold and severity of infestation.

• Isolation of the Area- if there is a mold problem, you will want to isolate the area carefully to prevent carryover into non infested areas during clean up.

• Clean Up/Remediation- care should be taken to not stir up the mold; if it is severe, or in the walls, a specialized remediation firm (in space suits) may have to be used and materials removed in hazardous waste containers.

• Repair of the Cause- if there is structural damage or leaky plumbing causing a moisture problem, fix it.

• Maintenance/Prevention- an ongoing program to ensure no recurrence of the cause and use of proven purification technology to maintain a clean environment and kill mold growth.

On this last point, emphasis is placed on use of technology that has a proven track record of mold abatement. HEPA filters and electrostatic filters that are called purifiers are not effective on mold/mildew. There is, however, affordable, proprietary and safe technology currently available that has a demonstrated ability to sanitize surfaces from a variety of microbials and to stop mold/mildew growth. This effective technology has become widely accepted since it’s use by the government during the 9/11 Pentagon cleanup, is currently in use in several government facilities and is available to the general public through an authorized dealer network.

Total Body Cleanse - The Best Post-Holiday Detox




We all overindulged this past holiday season and are eager to get back into shape or, in the case of some of us, get into shape. One of the most common New Years resolutions is to lose weight and get fit. Sales for gym equipment and nutritional supplements skyrocket in the month of January. The poor UPS driver experiences a large increase in the number of elliptical trainers and treadmills he has to unload and deliver. And everyone starts researching products that help us get started. "Detox" and "body cleanse" are entered into search engines at lightening speed. In the age of instant everything, we expect to find easy remedies for bad habits.

Unfortunately, there really aren't any quick fixes for bodily abuse. You didn't end up overweight and flabby overnight and the problem isn't going to get fixed without that old fashioned stand-by called effort. But, if you're ready to commit to a lifestyle change, a healthier and leaner body can be achieved. And it doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg nor does it have to involve drinking disgusting concoctions while fasting and feeling weak. As a matter of fact, the worst thing you can do is restrict calories by fasting. It puts your body in starvation mode and tells it to save fat.

The other day I made myself a berry, citrus, kale, apple, banana smoothie for breakfast. I couldn't finish it so put the rest in a tall glass, covered it with plastic wrap, and stuck it in the fridge. When I got home, it didn't look all the appetizing so I went to dump it out in the sink. I held the glass upside down and nothing came out. The kale and fruit sediment had apparently absorbed all the liquid and it all became kind of a solid mass. It was a great illustration for what happens in the colon when we don't consume enough liquid to keep things flowing. So, number one on the hit parade of products that we need for a total body cleanse is good, clean water. Sip water all day long. Set a water consumption goal. Increase it daily until you are drinking a healthy amount. An average sized woman needs about 70 ounces of water daily. Drink more if you're physically active.

Nature has provided all you need to keep your body healthy. Manufacturers cannot successfully duplicate what is already available. Fruit and vegetables help clean up your body just fine. The only caveat here is to add them slowly if you're not used to all that fiber. Add one serving each of a fruit and vegetable to your diet daily until you are eating healthy amounts. Kale packs a great nutritional punch. Citrus is a great fruit for cleansing your insides. What you want to avoid is twisting your gut up with too much too soon. Drink lots of water so you don't get clogged up like that mass in the glass I had yesterday. Make a good vegetable fruit smoothie and sip throughout the day. Add some ground flax seed to thicken and add fiber. Flax seed is a great source of Omega 3's and fiber and also has some anti-oxidant properties.

Digestion begins in the mouth. Chew well. Eat slowly. Make sure you're dining in a relaxed atmosphere. Avoid refined sugars and carbohydrates. Switch from coffee to green tea. Add some chamomile in the evening. Dandelion root tea helps clear the system so sip a cup in the afternoon. Have a nice salad for dinner. Make sure to include healthy greens like spinach. Leave out the iceberg lettuce as it has very little nutritional value. Use a basic salad dressing that has an olive oil base. Throw on a few walnuts for protein.

Transit time is important to keep track of so you know you are eating properly and keeping your engine clean. Every now and again, add some beets or some other "dye" to your diet so you can see how long it is taking for food to travel from one end to the other. Carrot juice is a favorite of mine. Experts differ on what constitutes a healthy amount of time for food to commute from to coast but 12 to 24 hours is average for someone consuming adequate fiber.

There's no magic bullet for detoxing or maintaining health. Stay away from recipes that involve putting Epsom salts in any open orifice. Don't spend good money on tinctures that promise quick results. Good nutrient rich food is all any normal body needs to get and stay as clean as nature intended.

Breakthroughs In LASIK Surgery


LASIK surgical procedure is actually fairly new, if compared to the hundred years that refractive surgery treatment in general has been in existence. Since the FDA's approval of the Excimer Laser in 1995, nevertheless, LASIK has already made leaps and bounds with regard to breakthroughs.

What Is The Excimer Laser?

The Excimer Laser is actually a process using a broad beam of laser energy to be able to reshape the cornea. It has quite a bit of technical hardware and software required for this method, and also the electricity coming from the laser rapidly wore down all of the optical mirrors and lenses used in the procedure. As a result of continual fixes being made to the units, this got to be fairly pricey.

In 1998, the FDA approved a whole new selection of Excimer Lasers that employed a very accurate laser. All of these more recent Excimer Lasers employed a form of scanning system to discover the specific placement of the eye which really needed modification, and as soon as that point was determined, deliver the ray of energy to it. This method was actually a great deal more patient friendly, because there was indeed significantly less anxiety on the individual to remain perfectly still, because the piece of equipment calculated a person's eye defects on its own. It actually was far more accurate when compared to a laser
eye surgeon previously could possibly be plus didn't come along with as much deterioration than the prior lasers did.

Higher Speeds Lasers

Yet another advancement in LASIK is definitely the development of a higher speed laser. Throughout the 90's, laser devices would typically need to have between 30-90 seconds of being exposed, based on just how major corrections were. At this point, laser treatments need to have between 2-30 seconds of exposure. That's really considerable, specially when considering the fact that when the longer the cornea is subjected to this type of atmosphere, there can be increased assortment regarding results.

Utilizing Wavefront Technology

Wavefront technological know-how is an additional advancement in LASIK. Wavefront technology draws on a theory employed by astronomers for several years. Light is sent inside the patient's eyes, and also the light that is replicated back to the PC is in fact recorded. With such calculations, the laser eye surgeon will be able to identify virtually any errors or distortions in the individual's vision.

Utilizing this type of data, the computer could certainly create a 3-D map of the individual's eyes. The technological innovation has the ability of computing aberrations for example nearsightedness and also farsightedness, and halos and starbursts. Wavefront technology has generated exceptional final results. In VISX's FDA medical study, a year after the procedure, 98% of participants got 20/20 eyesight, or even better, not to mention did not really need eyeglasses or even contacts.

All-Laser LASIK

The most up-to-date advancement regarding laser eye surgery is all-laser LASIK, an entirely bladeless surgery. The iFS IntraLASE Femtosecond laser happens to be providing a lot more people the chance to have vision surgery who prior to this were advised they were not hopefuls. Step one with this eyesight procedure is the development of the corneal flap, that prior to this was initially carried out utilizing a microkeratome blade. While using the innovative technology, a laser is in its place employed in this stage, creating a a lot more correct flap faster.

What Color Should Your Teeth Be?


Although we live in a society that highly regards shiny white teeth, is that really the way we were meant to look? It seems that more and more people are decided to bleach their teeth beyond recognition because it is considered to trademark a healthy appearance. You are probably aware that drinking coffee or tea will tend to stain your teeth yellow, but were you aware that the aging process actually changes the colour of your teeth?

Have you ever seen an old piano? Think about it. All piano keys used to be made of ivory; the tusk bone of an elephant. These were gleaming white at the beginning, and now those pianos sit decrepit in a corner with yellowed, cracked keys which may even have warped out of shape. This is what is naturally in store for your own teeth, although you should not worry too much; yellowed, warped piano keys are often twice as old as you will ever expect to be! The point is that the tissues that make up your bones and teeth will change over time and as you age will become more yellow. This colour change can be confusing, and often foods and drinks are blamed instead of pure genetics.

Younger people will have the most naturally white teeth of anyone, but even if you look closely at them you will see that few can be said to have perfectly white teeth. This is because on the whole, white is not a natural colour! Certainly close shades are in existence and are very flattering, but there is no escaping the slow colour shift from near white to nearer yellow. Sad, but true! Regardless of this fact, you have probably already armed yourself (to the teeth) to defend a whitened front.

Essentially, teeth whitening can be seen as another way to stop the aging process. In the same way that you use moisturising creams to stop wrinkles and hair dye to keep away the grey, various teeth whitening products such as toothpastes, polishes and adhesive strips are being used to make teeth whiter and more youthful. It is a somewhat unconscious effort by Westerners to remain in the blossom of youth for ever longer; white teeth are the trademark of preteens and teenagers, but certainly not of the middle aged and retirement set! Whatever the conscious and subconscious reasons for whitening your teeth, it is best to come into the venture with the knowledge that you may not ever have a perfectly white set. But that is no reason to despair!

You know there are plenty of teeth whitening options available, so choose one that is right for you and do the best you can to bleach away stains and natural colour changes. Society (especially North American society) is cultured to put a lot of value on teeth, and obviously you are not expected to be any different. Medically speaking, teeth whitening is a safe procedure so long as you have it professionally done or pay close attention to packet instructions.

Do not be tempted to over bleach or you can damage your gums and the roots of your teeth, a painful situation that is best avoided. It can be appealing to squeeze a tube of bleach on the enamel and leave it overnight, but believe me, it is not worth it! Be patient, be safe, and most of all be understanding to the fact that your teeth are not horribly stained, they are just growing older like the rest of you! There is nothing wrong with that, now is there?

Should I Have A Face Lift?



Good question! A face lift is major surgery and surgery means blood, mess, discomfort, stitches and time out to recover. A face lift is expensive too.

There are risks to consider, one is hematoma when the blood collects under the skin and has to be surgically removed. Damage to the nerves that control your facial muscles is another although this is less common. Slow healing time can also be a problem although this is found mainly in smokers. Oh! and don't forget the usual risks that are involved with anesthesia.

On the plus side, the effects of a face lift are quite dramatic. It is without a doubt the fastest and most permanent way of shedding your 'old' face and regaining some of that youthful beauty you were born with..

If you've considered these things and decided that the final outcome is worth it, then proceed, but first please ask yourself these questions.

Why do I want a facelift?

Am I doing this because its going to help me find the job that I really want? This is a valid reason for going ahead. It shouldn't matter to those that hire people how old the applicant is or what they look like, but in the real world we know that these things do play a part. If you have a job that has a lot of public exposure, this may also be a good reason to proceed.

Am I doing this because my partner wants me to?
Red alert! Never let anyone else talk you into having a facelift. It is a very personal decision and one only you should make. Ask yourself why are you with someone who values you only for your appearance. Honor yourself, you are more than your face! Perhaps you should be working on your relationship and leaving your face alone!

I'm thirty five and have lots of wrinkles around my eyes and cheeks, and my neck is all mottled
A face lift won't help this situation. You are better off exploring the avenue of laser resurfacing or even chemical peels, they will strip the old layer of skin off and reveal a smoother younger appearance. It sounds like you have a lot of sun damage, get educated on the use of sunblock! Its everybody's most important cosmetic.

I'm depressed and don't feel good about myself. Maybe a facelift will help me feel better?
It may for a little while, but it sounds like you have a self esteem problem. Learn to love yourself the way you are first. Then if you still feel a facelift would give your morale a boost, go ahead.

I'm in my early fifties and notice my face is starting to sag quite badly. I can afford the surgery and reckon I might just do this for myself. A good idea, you've thought it through and decided its something you want not something you need.

Find a professional surgeon in your area and follow all his/her advice on how to prepare for your face lift. Don't forget to mention any medication you are taking and if you are a smoker, stop two weeks before surgery is scheduled. It will speed your recovery time. Good luck!

Baby Bad Breath


Most babies have sweet smelling breath, but occasionally baby bad breath does occur. It can be a particular problem upon waking, after the baby has been asleep for a few hours - like morning breath in adults. During sleep, the mouth is typically relaxed and motionless, there is decreased saliva production, and bacteria that live in the mouth cavity have an opportunity to multiply undisturbed. Some of these bacteria can produce the unpleasant odor we associate with bad breath, and when they multiply to sufficient numbers, the odor becomes detectable.

If you think that "morning breath" is causing bad breath in baby, try treating it by cleansing the mouth before putting baby down for a nap. If baby is very young and has no teeth, encourage a water rinse to flush traces of formula or bits of food out of cracks and crevices. If baby has teeth, a gentle brushing and a rinse should help. Rinsing and brushing upon waking can be helpful too. (Fluoridated toothpastes should be used very sparingly in young children, and brushing should always be supervised even when your child is old enough to begin brushing on her own.) If these measures relieve the baby bad breath, you needn't do more.

However, if bad breath in baby persists after brushing and cleansing, there may be another problem. Does baby use a soother or habitually suck on some other object like a blanket or stuffed toy? An object that is continually put into the mouth gets coated with saliva and oral bacteria and can develop an unpleasant odor. Though the smell may not be offensive to your child, it can contribute to lingering bad odors in the vicinity of baby, and to baby bad breath. The simple solution is to wash or replace the offending item regularly. Eventually, your child will give up the sucking habit and the problem will disappear on its own.

Occasionally bad breath in baby has a more sinister cause. If your efforts to solve the problem are fruitless, you should consult your pediatrician or family doctor. The physician will check for signs of throat or sinus infection, infection somewhere in the mouth, tooth decay, or a foreign object lodged in a nasal passage. Sinus congestion can contribute to baby bad breath as well, by causing baby to breathe through the mouth: dry mouth is a cause of breath odor in both children and adults because saliva is naturally antibacterial and, in a healthy mouth, it keeps the population of odor causing bacteria at a minimum.

Once again, baby bad breath is relatively unusual: if simple measures don't solve the problem, your child should be seen by a medical professional to rule out more serious problems.


How To Start Using Teeth Whitening

For any one who has not used teeth whitening before, it can be a little daunting, many questions can be going around in your head and one of them most certainly will be, "how do I get started?'

First of all do not rush the first time that you wish to whiten your teeth, take your time and read the instructions carefully. They will explain the procedure fully and reassuringly.

What may daunt people the most about teeth whitening is how to make the mould that is used to hold the teeth whitening gel in place over your teeth.

This mould can be done at the dentist for a professional fit; it will be expertly done but will be very expensive.

There is nothing to stop you doing one for your self at a fraction of the cost.
All it takes is a little patience, two or three single arch thermo forming bleaching trays.

One for the bottom set of teeth, one for the top and a spare just to practice on and some water, just off the boil.

These trays are firm when first bought and have a tab at the front for you to hold while creating your mould. They are very pliable when placed in the boiling water and quickly change shape so you have to work quickly.

Using your fingers to hold the tab, hold the mould in the hot water for just a few seconds, then withdraw the mould from the water and with out shaking it, place over either the top or bottom set of teeth. You them suck strongly, to get the air out of the mould, this allows the mould to take the shape of your teeth. Hold the tray in place for a few seconds before you remove it. Repeat the process putting the tray over the opposite set of teeth.

You now have a good cast of the shape of your teeth, it only remains now to cut off the tab from the front of the mould and to trim any surplus of the tray which may cover the gums.

This is done so that the gum will not be exposed to the gel during whitening and will not cause any sensitivity to soft tissue.

You are now ready to use the whitening gel and the trays will last over many uses.