Natural Teeth Whitening Solutions

Here are some tips to whiten your teeth the natural ways.

Embarrassed by your less-than-pearly-white teeth? It’s a common problem that can chip away at your self-confidence. Regular brushing and flossing sometimes isn’t enough to combat stains, and while whitening strips are helpful, they can also cause painful tooth sensitivity. Learn how to achieve whiter teeth with these natural solutions. 

Try adding these natural whiteners to your diet for brighter, healthier teeth.

Natural Bleaching Agent: Strawberries
Strawberries are powerful teeth whiteners that contain both an astringent and vitamin C. The astringent in strawberries effectively aids in the removal of surface stains while vitamin C whitens teeth by clearing away plaque.

Natural Toothbrush: Apples
A crunchy apple acts like a toothbrush as you chew it. The process of chewing an apple removes excess food and bacteria from your mouth while scrubbing away surface stains. Apples also contain malic acid, a chemical used in teeth whitening products, which helps dissolve stains. 

Natural Mouthwash: Raisins
Raisins help to keep your teeth white by inducing saliva production. An increased level of salvia naturally helps to rinse away plaque.

Still need a little extra help? Try this:

Dr. Oz’s  Teeth Whitening Home Remedy

Ingredients
Baking Soda
Lemon

Directions
In a small bowl, mix a little bit of baking soda with the juice of a freshly squeezed lemon. The mixture should bubble slightly.

Using a cotton swab, wipe saliva and excess plaque from your teeth before brushing on the mixture. Leave the mixture on your teeth for a minute before gently brushing it off with a toothbrush.

Don’t leave the mixture on your teeth for any longer than a minute; the acid erode tooth enamel.

Earthquake, Tsunami and Radiation

I've been following the breaking news in CNN about a major earthquake which hit  Northern Japan since Friday, March 11  and it was heartbreaking seeing one after another the disaster that befell the Japanese people. Just within 30 minutes of the 8.9 magnitude earthquake came the tsunami's wrath and latest the increasing of  radiation level which can `impact human life'. To date more than 4000 people has perished and thousands more missing.

Amid the devastation and disaster, the Japanese people remains true to their ways, courteous and organize. They queue up for hours very patiently for water and food, no rushing or pushing. Many foreign journalist  were impressed with the scenarios and we Malaysian should embrace this attitude in our everyday life.

As the water recede, the land tremble no more and the radiation source contained safely,  I hope the Japanese people would get back on their feet and rebuild their life.

Here are some images of the aftermath taken from the CNN special coverage on Japan tsunami. For more stories and images just click here. A picture is worth a thousand words.

A yacht washed ashore by a huge tsunami sits on top of a building in Otsuchi, Japan. on Monday, March 14

A tsunami smashes vehicles and houses in Kesennuma city in Miyagi Prefecture in northern Japan on Friday

Cars washed inland by the tsunami sit in debris-covered water outside Sendai

Five-year-old Neena Sasaki carries family belongings from her destroyed home in Rikuzentakata in Miyagi Prefecture on Tuesday, March 15.

Japanese residents queue for food in Sendai.

Rescue workers look for missing people who were lost in the tsunami, in Natori, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan.

A Self Defense Forces soldier holds a 4-month-old baby in Ishinomaki city in Miyagi prefecture Monday. The child survived the tsunami with her family

Sixty-year-old survivor Hiromitsu Shinkawa spent two days floating on a piece of roof in waters off Fukushima prefecture before being rescued

Residents carry supplies as they navigate over damaged vehicles outside a store in Tagajo, Miyagi Prefecture

Before and After: Devastation in Japan (images from CNN)

Minamisanriku in Miyagi, Japan, in 2002, and again after the tsunami in 2011.

Kesennuma in Miyagi, Japan, in 2002, and again after the tsunami in 2011.

Kashima in Minamisoma, Japan, in 2003, and again after the tsunami in 2011

Otomo in Rikuzentakata, Japan, in 2005, and again after the tsunami in 2011.

Fujitsuka in Sendai, Japan, in 2008, and again after the tsunami in 2011.

Airport in Sendai, Japan, in 2003, and again after the tsunami in 2011

What's in Dr. Oz's Medicine Cabinet? And What Should Be in Yours?

Dr. Mehmet Oz

Professor of surgery at Columbia University

Dr. Oz is vice-chair and professor of surgery at Columbia University. He directs the Cardiovascular Institute and Complementary Medicine Program at NewYork–Presbyterian Hospital. His research interests include heart replacementsurgery, minimally invasive cardiac surgery, complementary medicine and healthcare policy. He has authored more than 400 original publications, book chapters and medical books and has received several patents.

 

 It may not look as cluttered as your garage or basement, but of all the storage spaces in your home, your medicine cabinet probably needs a makeover the most. Once you've cleared out the expired bottles, restock with my medicine cabinet must-haves:

 

 

Tea Tree Oil

Applying this naturally antimicrobial oil straight to the skin can treat a range of fungal infections, including athlete's foot.

Tiger Balm

This nearly 100-year-old remedy contains active ingredients, including camphor, that create a heating effect and help ease pain.

Band-Aids

Protecting small wounds helps prevent infection—and discourages scabs from forming, which helps reduce the chance of scarring.

Ibuprofen

Take this drug a few days before menstrual cramps hit. It blocks the formation of compounds called prostaglandins, which cause your uterus to contract.

Aspirin

If you're over 40, ask your doctor about taking two low-dose aspirin daily to help prevent heart disease and reduce the risk of breast and colon cancer.

Pepto-Bismol

This pink medicine can treat all manner of GI ailments, from nausea to diarrhea, by fighting inflammation and acid buildup.

Toothbruth

Keep it inside your medicine cabinet, not on the counter. Flushing the toilet can send tiny bacteria everywhere—including onto your bristles.

Toothpaste

Check the label. Sodium lauryl sulfate creates foam when you brush, but you don't need it for a clean mouth—and it can cause canker sores.

Dental Floss

Flossing is essential to help prevent gingivitis, a chronic infection of the gums that increases your risk for heart attack and stroke.

Neti Pot
 
Using a neti pot to cleanse your sinus cavity can help fight congestion—without the side effects of allergy pills and nasal sprays.
 
Valerian Root

This ancient insomnia remedy may affect the neurotransmitter GABA, the chemical targeted by many prescription sleep medications.

By Dr. Mehmet Oz
O, The Oprah Magazine  |  From the September 2010 issue of O, The Oprah Magazin

 

 

 

 

Treating the Fire in Your Gut

The burning, nausea and pain associated with gastritis comes from inflammation of the stomach lining. Read on to find out what can trigger this condition and what foods can ease the pain.

Gastritis is a painful condition where the lining of your stomach becomes inflamed or damaged from stomach acid. Avoid the following items that may add fuel to this fire.

Ibuprofen Long-term use of ibuprofen, aspirin and NSAIDs can thin out the lining of your stomach.

Alcohol Excessive drinking (qualified as more than 3 drinks a day for women) can irritate and erode stomach lining.

Stress The body produces gastritis-causing acid in response to stress.

Coffee is acidic, which irritates gastritis. Carbonated drinks and fruit juices may also have a similar effect.

To ease the symptoms of gastritis, consider incorporating foods from the chart below into your diet.

 Extracted from The Dr. Oz Show.