Brush up on oral health with dental hygiene tips
Finding the right toothbrush can be daunting.
“You need a Ph.D. to get through the dental aisle of confusion,” said Richard H. Price, a spokesman for the American Dental Association. He suggested simplifying the choice by looking for the ADA mark on the box, signifying that the bristles are firm enough to remove dental plaque but not hard enough to damage teeth or gums.
“Match the toothbrush to yourself, like dinnerware, so that it fits both hand and mouth,” he said.
After brushing, use hot water to rinse the brush and let it dry thoroughly. Change the brush every three or four months as the bristles fray.
Perhaps most important, he said, “don’t brush without flossing.”
Brushing and flossing do not kill the germs that colonize to form dental plaque, he said, rather “it just scatters them so they can’t reach critical mass” and cause tooth decay and gum disease.
— C. Claiborne Ray
New York Times
Hints from Heloise:
Condiment containers can dispense shampoo
Carol M. in Pennsylvania writes: I purchase extra-large containers of shampoo and conditioner from the hair salon. They are quality products and too good a bargain to pass up. But I couldn’t lift them in the shower, much less pour out the amount needed, especially when my hands are wet and soapy.
I found a packet of two containers that were just the right size. One was red and one yellow. They are standard-size mustard and ketchup containers! I just snipped the tops a little so the liquid would pour easily. Also, I used a permanent marker to mark them.
— King Features
Online users rewarded for trying new products
EXPO is a free online community that rewards participants who try new products and share their opinions on video.
Register on EXPOtv.com and answer questions about yourself and your family. Invitations will ask you to complete various activities, such as providing a favorite cleaning tip or a product review. For this, members earn points, which can be used in the EXPO store for items such as exercise equipment, Amazon gift cards and toys.
Users can learn about new products and have the opportunity to use products not even on the market. You might get free products by mail and be asked to review them.
Tips:
• Visit often and make sure your profile is complete.
• Invite others to join you.
• When creating your video, talk clearly and slowly. Share your opinion and why you feel that way. Bad: “I do not like Brand X detergent.” Good: “I do not like Brand X because it smells weird.” Best: “Brand X is not my favorite detergent because the smell reminds me of wet dog.”
• Complete lots of surveys. The more the site knows about you and the purchasing trends of your family, the more often you will receive invitations.
— Tara McAlister
The Charlotte Observer