American and International Info Resources

No matter how careful you are, you will undoubtedly find a mistake, mark, or mess on your finished scrapbook page. This is just part of the process of making a scrapbook. If you find a mistake, mark, or glue bits on your scrapbook page, just rub it off using a soft white eraser.

Alternately, make the mark into an interesting squiggle or doodle. In other words, incorporate the mistake into your creative works! You know the saying, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. I’ve personally created some very unique and interesting patterns from mistakes that actually came out beautifully in the finished product.

Here’s how to handle some common mistakes:

For mistakes in journal text, cover the mistake with a sticker the same color as the journal page. Then, just write over the sticker. White out can also be used for white pages.

Fingerprint smudges on your photographs can be removed by rubbing the fingerprints with a piece of flannel or a dry baby wipe.

Excess powder or glitter can be brushed away. This is time consuming and frustrating. The best solution is to reduce static electricity before you add the powder or glitter. Just place a dryer sheet on top of the page before you work.

Mia LaCron is the founder of 101-scrapbooking-tidbits.info - http://www.101-scrapbooking-tidbits.info - devoted to helping individuals record, store, and preserve their most cherished memories via the art of scrapbooking.

1. Buy what works for you! - Don’t waste your money buying two-piece suits if you work in a warehouse! Take your job responsibilities into account when purchasing clothing for your career. If you work outdoors, buy clothing fit for your environment. Don’t buy items that you won’t feel comfortable in, because you won’t wear those items and that’s wasted money!

2. Stick to your best colors - Have a professional Color Analysis done to determine what the most flattering colors are for you. By sticking to those colors, you’ll be assured that you’ll always have mix and match capability and you’ll always look great! One of the foundations of Capsule Wardrobing is the selection of 3 basic colors to build a wardrobe on. Make sure they are the right ones for you!

3. Buy the right size for right now - Clothing manufacturers are not known for their adherence to standards. Don’t get hung up on what size the clothing is tagged as, get hung up on proper fit! If the article of clothing feels tight, pulls or seems stressed at the seams, it won’t last as long, and it will make you look heavier in the process. Buy clothing that fits you well and it will not only make you look better, it will last longer.

4. Purchase for Multi-season use - Try to purchase fabrics that are multi-seasonal. A heavy, textured wool jacket is only good for the coldest of weather, whereas one made of mid-weight or lighter weight wool or wool blend could be worn with a sweater in cold weather and with a shirt or blouse in warmer weather. You’ll get more use from multi-season garments than those with a single-season focus.

5. Remember the basics - Suits and separates can form the foundation of a great working wardrobe. Single and double-breasted long-sleeved blazers with matching skirts for women or pants for men or women are essential basics. Save the novelty items for your casual days at home, or for accessory pieces. Don’t try to build a wardrobe around the “trend of the moment”. When the trend passes, you’ll look dated. Purchase basic building pieces to build your wardrobe and you’ll be able to mix and match pieces to create lots of different looks with a minimal investment.

6. Accessorize with style - Every wardrobe needs a certain investment in accessories. The considered use of scarves, jewelry and pins, ties and pocket squares, and even hosiery, shoes and hats can transform ordinary clothing into something extraordinary. Determine whether your coloring is cool or warm and let that guide you in choosing accessories, especially metal jewelry. If your coloring is warm, gold will emphasize the glow in your skin. If your coloring is cool, choose more silver, platinum or white gold to emphasize the contrast of your skin. Combining smart accessories with a basic wardrobe ensures you’ll always look coordinated and polished, not thrown-together or haphazard.

7. Buy quality over quantity - When purchasing clothing, consider buying items that are fully lined versus only partially lined or unlined (the clothing will “hang” better and last longer). Purchase items with a good feel and drape to the fabric, and choose clothing distributors that have a reputation for quality. It’s not necessary to only buy wool, when a better grade wool or polyester blend will work as well initially. Buying a $400 suit for $175 on sale is a really good deal, considering the fabric and construction of that suit will be better than the $150 suit purchased on sale for $80. The more expensive suit will be worn more often and cost you less per wearing. A less expensive piece won’t be worn as often and won’t last, thereby costing you more per wearing.

8. Compatible shoes and hosiery - For a work wardrobe, shoes and hosiery are the finishing touch. Purchase quality shoes and take care of them. Shoes that are run down, scuffed and showing wear make you look the same way, no matter how polished and professional the rest of your outfit. Job interviewers have been taught to check out a prospective employee’s shoes, and for entrepreneurs, prospective clients do the same thing! If they don’t look their best, it will reflect badly on you. When you find shoes that fit well and feel good on your feet, buy several pair in your foundation colors, and two pair of your most often-worn color so that you can give one pair a rest while wearing the other. Avoid fads in shoes and stick with classic designs like pumps and sling backs for women, and wingtips or oxfords for men. Ladies, stick with a heel no higher than 2 “, and no lower than ” for ease in walking and a reduced chance of injury.

9. Organize and categorize - Once you’ve determined your foundation colors for your wardrobe, you can organize and categorize your clothing for easy selection and wearing. Hang jackets by sleeve length, color and garment length, or combined with matching pieces to create ready-made outfits. Keep similar fabric weights close together to avoid putting a heavy wool jacket over a lightweight chiffon or silk skirt. Put mix-and-match items near their foundation counterparts for easier selection. Move items that need cleaning to a specific area for easy pick up and removal.

10. Take notes for future use - Whenever you are shopping, take along color swatches of your basic colors and those determined to be right for you. Make a promise to yourself to stay with your correct colors, and keep notes of what basic foundation items you already own. No one really needs 10 virtually identical black dresses or 10 identical black suits! One of the guidelines of Professional Wardrobing is to make sure that any item you purchase must either be compatible with at least two other items in your closet, or it must be a foundation garment that could be combined with other pieces to create many other outfits. In this way, you’ll be sure to maximize your clothing dollars and create a terrific wardrobe.

Make the most of your clothing investment by using the principles outlined above, and you’ll always be impeccably dressed!

About the Author: Dianne M. Daniels is an Image & Color Coach, Consultant and Professional Speaker, and the author/publisher of “Polish & Presence: 31 Days to a New Image”. She has helped individuals refine and define their personal and professional image, along with corporations and organizations. Learn how to create your Personal Climate for Personal and Professional Success at http://www.imageandcolor.com

Something like a decade ago the actual idea of a wall-mounted telly may possibly have appeared like a wishful vision. It was out of the reach of the majority of buyers, with exceedingly high charges that demanded taking out a 2nd mortgage to these particularly shiny TVs. Still, over time, these brilliant television products reached the point of attainability. However, still not something you could just go out and pay for, it has today little by little become much more of an option. RRP prices for these flat panel High-Definition Television sets are currently falling faster than new home values, & have made the fantasy a reality. Buy High Definition Televisions at great prices at Digital Direct Today!

Nowadays there are two rival flat-panel products; plasma & LCD. Though each make provides an amazing picture and these TV sets do look almost the same from the front, the technology on the inside is noticeably different. And while LCD TV’s have been limited to thirty-seven inches and smaller, sets with the liquid crystal display technology are at the moment in sizes as huge as plasma.

However, regardless of that, countless buyers judge plasma to supply several significant benefits over LCD televisions. The main advantages is that plasma TV sets generally feature deeper black levels-denoting that the blacks are in truth be told black & not simply a dark side of gray. This in turn means that the colours are much more eye-catching and credible. The most current models from Toshiba and Panasonic have in actual fact taken the black levels to improved depths, and accordingly have constructed the optimum pictures we’ve witnessed to date.

Irrespective of the reports that plasma television sets “needs to be recharged” after 8,000 hours, nothing could be far more from the fact. Today’s flat panel plasma televisions should often last for 60,000 hours or more, providing years of breathtaking telly viewing. Whilst there has been an apprehension over problems such as burn-in (correctly so, as this may ruin that expensive TV), the most up-to-date televisions have equipment to sort out image retention, offering pixel shift modes that slowly move the full display, and more critically, do away with any ghosting should static images in reality “stick” the picture. This consists of a white wash mode over and above an opposite mode to remove all burn-in.

Current statistics reveal that 75% of Americans are overweight
and 40% are obese. For those who desire to lose weight and
obtain optimal health, sometimes it can be overwhelming trying
to figure out where to start. From the Atkins Diet to the South
Beach Diet; from the low fat to low carb diets, there are
numerous weight-loss plans to choose from. In addition, given
conflicting information as to what works best, it can be
difficult deciding what to do.

For those who have tried many diet plans with no success, it
becomes more difficult and frustrating. Many people forget that
a diet might work wonders for their friend but won’t work well
for them…not because the diet is “bad”, but because each body
reacts differently. However, there is a way to lose weight that
is easy, fast, and doesn’t involve deprivation or calorie
counting.

Before the weight loss tips are discussed, it’s important to
address some background information about body genetics and why
weight loss can be difficult.

Before anyone starts a diet, it is important to note that each
person has a different body build. Some people are short and
stout while others are tall and thin. Some have big hips and
shoulders, and others are short and very muscular. Genetics can
determine body shape and a person’s natural build just as it
does eye color, hair color, skin color, and so on. The good news
is that genetics do not determine whether or not one will be
fat, but will determine one’s body shape. This means that not
every woman can expect to be tall and thin like a Hollywood
actress or supermodel such as Tyra Banks. Not every man can
expect to be defined and muscular like The Rock. The goal,
really, is to be at a comfortable weight for one’s body shape
and to feel good about it.

So, why are people overweight? Here are 11 of the most common
reasons:

1. Slow metabolism: People who are overweight have a hard time
burning off food. As a result, the fat is stored.

2. Emotional eating: Those who struggle with weight often eat
when stressed or when other emotional upheavals are happening in
their life.

3. Hormonal imbalances.

4. Eating portions that are too large.

5. Eating lots of “diet food” (that is low fat,low carb, and
“sugar free” foods). Kevin explains in the book why this is a
problem.

6. Build up of toxins in the body.

7. Eating late: Late-night eating can cause food to convert to
fat more easily.

8. High susceptibility to growth hormones: These hormones are
given to animals to help them grow faster and larger, so meat
and dairy have residual growth hormones. In humans, these
hormones can result in increased fat storage.

9. Not eating breakfast.

10. Numerous diets: Going from diet to diet has a negative
impact on the metabolism and causes weight loss to be much more
difficult.

11. Food ingredients: The reasons why are amazing and beyond the
scope of this article. Readers are encouraged to read for
themselves Kevin’s two books.

Simple Tips for Easy Weight Loss:

Now that there is a better understanding of body genetics and
why people have a tendency to be overweight, here are the tips
for fast, easy weight loss.

Tip #1: Drink water upon arising: First thing in the morning,
drink eight ounces of distilled water, bottled water, or
filtered water (not tap water).

Tip #2: Eat a big breakfast: This should be done 45 minutes
after getting up in the morning. Suggested organic foods to
choose from (they must be organic) are apples, bananas, rye
bread with no sugar, plain yogurt, tuna, lamb, tomatoes,
carrots, peppers, raw honey, wild smoked salmon, and so on.

Tip #3: Drink distilled water throughout the day: Eight glasses
is recommended

Tip #4: Walk non-stop one hour each day: This doesn’t have to be
power walking; just walk at your own pace. Walking outdoors is
best.

Tip #5: Stop eating after 6:00 PM: This is hard for some people,
but do the best you can.

Tip #6: Do a candida cleanse: Candida is yeast overgrowth in the
colon that can cause all kinds of health problems. Check online
for “Candida Cleanse” or go to your local health food store.

Tip #7: Do a colon cleanse: This cleanse cleans out the
digestive system, which is clogged and sluggish in many
overweight people. Once again, check online or go to your local
health food store.

More and more Americans are becoming overweight. Extra weight
can result in many health issues and negatively impact one’s
emotional state and self-esteem. However, for those struggling
with this problem, there is hope. You can lose it and keep it
off. Now that you have a understanding of body genetics and why
you might be overweight, take action today! Commit to trying at
least a few of the steps.

Photographers often follow certain legal practices to protect themselves,
but cannot be sure that they will work when challenged. One such
example is using a model release to obtain a model’s permission to use
photographs taken of him or her in specific ways. The good news is that
the standard model release was recently put to the test, and it passed
with flying colors.

In 2002, Russian tennis player, Anastasia Myskina, who then was 20
years old, posed for photographs by Mark Seliger. Seliger first
photographed Myskina for the Gentleman’s Quarterly’s 2002 “Sports”
issue and then photographed her topless. Myskina had signed a model
release that said she consented to the use of her name and the pictures
by the magazine and by “others it may authorize, for editorial purposes.”

After winning the French Open in 2004, a Russian newspaper published
the topless photos. Myskina filed an $8 million lawsuit against the
publisher, Conde Nast Publications Inc., Gentleman’s Quarterly and
Seliger alleging emotional distress and economic injury.

The New York judge who presided over the case held that Myskina’s
rights were not violated despite her insistence that she did not
understand the signed model release and was not fluent in English at
the time. Instead, the Judge stated that, “absent allegations of fraud,
duress or some other wrongdoing, Myskina’s claimed misunderstanding
of the release’s terms does not excuse her from being bound on the
contract. Nor can she avoid her obligations under the release because
of her purported failure to read its contents.”

Even though the photographer allegedly told Myskina that the topless
photos were for “himself,” the Judge found that the oral agreement
contradicted the plain language of the written agreement and was not
admissible. The Judge then dismissed the case.

As a photographer, it is important to protect yourself as much as
possible. Fortunately, the model release is one way that has been
proven to be effective.

Take my advice; get professional help.
PhotoAttorney

Copyright 2005 Carolyn E. Wright All Rights Reserved

— ABOUT THE AUTHOR —

Carolyn E. Wright, Esq., has a unique legal practice aimed squarely at
the needs of photographers. A pro photographer herself, Carolyn has
the credentials and the experience to protect photographers. She’s
represented clients in multimillion dollar litigations, but also has the
desire to help new photographers just starting their careers. Carolyn
graduated from Emory University School of Law with a Juris Doctor, and
from Tennessee Tech Univ. with a Masters of Business Administration
degree and a Bachelor of Science degree in music.

She wrote the book on photography law. “88 Secrets to the Law for
Photographers,” by Carolyn and well-known professional photographer,
Scott Bourne, is scheduled for fall 2005 release by Olympic Mountain
School Press. Carolyn also is a columnist for PhotoFocus Magazine.

Carolyn specializes in wildlife photography and her legal website is
http://www.photoattorney.com

After months of rebuilding your website - adding great content
filled with profitable, keyword-rich copy (all due to Dr Ken Evoy’s
excellent 5-day Affiliate Masters e-mail course, no doubt) - your
site is now ready to be uploaded to the Internet!

But how do you go about promoting this new content?
Well, you need a plan!

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It’s easy to receive Ken’s 5-day Affiliate Masters e-mail course!
Just send a blank e-mail to mailto:tamsshopping101@sitesell.com
and get day 1 of this great course in your inbox TODAY!
===== Side Bar =====

WEBSITE PROMOTION PLAN

Yes, you need a website promotion plan! And you need a schedule
for that plan. And once that schedule’s finished, you need another,
long-term plan - site promotion is never over! Some of the
activities that you should plan to do are listed below; you
can probably think of others, more relevant to your site: do!

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For a long-term plan, and some long-term activities, read my
article called Promote Your Site Every Day!. You can find it :
http://www.shoptour.co.uk/webmaster-promote/promote-your-site.shtml
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1: TELL YOUR E-MAIL SUBSCRIBERS

Tell your e-mail subscribers! This is an easy first step to take,
to promote a site redesign (or new pages on your site). Subscribers
have been expecting an announcement, anyway, because you’ve been
referring to the redesign in earlier newsletters (haven’t you?).

This is your best opportunity to really go into detail about all
the great ways your site has improved, and all the new benefits
your subscribers will find. You could even (cheekily!) run a
competition to encourage subscribers to visit your site, and
find those inevitable bugs, before the rest of the web does!!

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If you don’t run a newsletter, this is one (of many) great reasons
why you should! Listbot, Topica, e-circle are just a few services
that provide free, ad-supported, newsletters:
- http://www.listbot.com
- http://www.topica.com
- http://www.ecircle-uk.com
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2: TELL YOUR FRIENDS, FAMILY, ANYONE

Tell friends, family and others who are (legitimately) in your
address book. Make your e-mail personal, and friendly. And better
still, just talk about how your site now benefits or involves them.
That is, just discuss:
* your new link to their site
* your promotion of their affiliate program
* their new article, now on your site

Even busy friends and family, need to be ‘encouraged’! Always focus
on benefits, but *get them* to visit!

3: TELL THE NEWSGROUPS

Tell the newsgroups about your new site, but only do this if you
are a regular contributor. Simply announce your site - check
that site announcements are allowed, first! - with a few good
reasons why members should visit! Better still, contribute to the
newsgroup, and simply leave your URL as part of your ’signature’.

A great place to find suitable newsgroups is
- http://www.deja.com/usenet/ (now http://groups.google.com)

4: WHAT ABOUT SEARCH ENGINES?

DON’T just blast your new pages to all the search engines /
directories! This may seem like spam to them, and your new pages
(or even your whole site) may get banned. This is because some
search engines need to be told about new pages, others don’t. And
directories generally just like to know about the main page on your
site (unless you’ve just added a lot of content on a completely
different theme).

Search engine policies change regularly, so find out from others by
visiting a search engine forum, or asking someone you consider to
be an expert. An excellent place to find search engine advice is
http://www.searchengineforums.com [HELP! and New Member Forum].

(So what did *I* do? I just submitted one new page to the major
search engines. This page has links to all of the other new pages,
too, so the search engine spiders should eventually index all of my
new content. I visited searchengineforums first, obviously!)

5: DON’T FORGET PAY-PER-CLICK SEARCH ENGINES!

Add more keywords to your various pay-per-click accounts. This is a
great way to make new content available, quickly. (You just have to
wait for keyword-approval by the pay-per-click administrators).

Choose profitable keywords (high demand, low supply), identified
when you began creating new content. But, as you pay for each
click, it’s important that you only get clicks from your potential
customers; so choose your keywords, title & description carefully.

===== Big Side Bar =====
Don’t know what Pay-per-click search engines are? They are search
engines, like GoTo, that allow you to choose how highly your site
ranks for a particular keyword. So you make a bid on a keyword. And
if your bid is highest, your site features highest on that search
engine’s ranking, for that keyword. And for each click your listing
generates, you pay the amount that you bid to the search engine.

Pay-per-click search engines are proving to be an excellent way to
get extra traffic. Especially when you consider that results from
GoTo, the main pay-per-click, feed into highly-placed sponsored
links on many of the major search engines.
===== Big Side Bar =====

To learn much, much more about pay-per-click search engines visit
this excellent site: http://www.PayPerClickSearchEngines.com/

6: FIND OTHER PROMOTION SOURCES

Search engines are not the only way to promote your site. There are
webmaster resource sites, freebie sites, and even Britney Spears
fanclub sites, all of which depend on new content! You name it,
there’s a site resource dedicated to it!

So use your favorite search engine to discover these resources,
and check out their linking policy. Then, if possible, get a link!
(You may even want to visit some of the links on the resource site,
and get links from those sites too!)

With some persistence, this should bring you a lot of well-targeted
traffic. (Free Sites, for example, get most of their traffic from
one such resource: The Free Site - http://www.thefreesite.com )

7: WRITE AN ARTICLE

Writing an article (like this one) is a great way to promote your
new content. There are so many sites willing to accept articles,
and so many editors willing to publish them in their newsletters.
Just write about your new content (but not about your site), making
it interesting and informative to a general audience. Then, in the
author-byline, refer to your new content, and provide a link to it.

For example, I found a great site, Find Sticky, just from reading
an interesting article about sticky content, written by the site’s
webmaster. I enjoyed the article and checked the author bylines to
see who wrote it, then visited his site - http://www.findsticky.com

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Don’t know how to write an article? Just write about what you
actually do, and the sites that you visit. Then read a few good
articles on ‘how to write an article’, and compose away! It *isn’t*
difficult, and it can be very rewarding (not least because of the
contacts you make with those that actually publish your articles!)
===== Side Bar =====

The following sites accept free articles for publication:
http://www.ezinearticles.com
http://www.ideamarketers.com
http://www.marketing-seek.com
http://www.certificate.net
http://www.web-source.net
http://www.theukmarketer.com
http://www.MakingProfit.com/articles

8: GET VIRAL

Viral marketing is that elusive creature that can literally,
*literally* create a STAMPEDE of traffic to your site; just on the
continued recommendation of others. Think Am-I-Hot-or-Not? or
Hotmail or Hampsterdance or ICQ or Napster…!

So how do you go achieve viral marketing?

Simple! Come up with a completely original, innovative, easy-to-
use, easy-to-talk-about Wow!-of-a website… OR

Try one of these more common easier-to-achieve approaches:
- allow visitors to create virtual greeting cards on your site
- create free ebooks that include content (or articles) from your
site, and then heavily promote the free ebooks
- put free e-mail on your site
- put ‘recommend-this-site’ links on your site
- etcetera

Back to the article from Find Sticky. I actually found that article
in a newsfeed from Moreover! It seems that if you write articles on
a weekly basis, then it’s possible to get your articles syndicated
via Moreover. So, with no effort from you (apart from writing
regular articles) you can get a link to your site (and your
article) on hundreds, even thousands of other websites!
http://w.moreover.com/site/publishers/index.html

As for Moreover - the newsfeed company - a link to their site goes
on *all* syndicated content. Clever, eh!?

~ ~ ~
Viral marketing brings more traffic to your site than any other
method! But it’s a lot easier talking about it than doing it!

BONUS: WRITE A PRESS RELEASE

Writing a press release is a good idea, but only if your site
redesign *is* newsworthy - and only you know that! - your release
will be pretty much ignored, otherwise. If you insist on writing a
release, why not submit it to PRWeb (http://www.prweb.com). They
check the releases before submitting them to interested parties.
They’ll reject your release if it isn’t properly written (or
newsworthy). They do all of this for free, too!

CONCLUSION:

You’ve worked so hard on developing your website further, with new
content or a site redesign. And now you need to work just as hard
to promote this new content! So get a promotion plan, and work
through it, and then continually promote, promote, promote!

Enjoy your journey

About the Author

Steve Nash is webmaster of http://shoptour.co.uk - a new-look UK
shopping directory: find shopping sites quickly AND save money. He
also edits a newsletter called Promote! Promote! Promote! Subscribe
by sending a blank e-mail to mailto:pppromote@getresponse.com

A fashion designers main concern is designing clothing and accessories. Aside from that, they could also be a part of producing or advertising their designs. Many high fashion designers choose to work for clients in their own businesses. There are clients looking for high-fashion designers that will design clothing fit to their style and body type. Designers employed in apparel manufacturing incorporate fashions created by other designers into their work for the mass market as they are responsible for less original work.

What’s needed to get a flying start to this career?
A person must possess natural artistic talent in order to be successful in fashion design. Mastering aesthetics and having a good eye for detail can help you achieve success in fashion design. This demands leadership and management besides being a self-starter. A portfolio can be more useful than education when a designer is looking for a job.

Designers still need to have some formalized training from a school that makes accessible a wide variety of fashion design courses. Only if a person enrolls in good fashion design school in California, can bachelor’s degree in art or science having a major in art and on costume design be awarded.

Overview

Teeth whitening is one of the easiest ways to improve your appearance. Whiter teeth can boost your self-esteem and confidence. Years of drinking coffee, tea, cola, red wine, and smoking eventually takes their toll on teeth. The results are dull, yellowish-colored teeth. Some teeth may have darker gray-colored stains due to antibiotics. Most teeth will benefit from tooth whitening. Teeth whitening is a proven safe and effective way to brighten stained, discolored teeth.

Your dentist has a variety of methods for restoring a bright white smile including porcelain veneers, composite bonding, implants and whitening, also known as bleaching. However, of all the advances made in dentistry to enhance the appearance of the teeth, whitening is the easiest and least invasive, and effective for 3 out of 4 cases. The procedure is safe, simple, and more affordable than ever before. Because of these reasons and more, whitening has become very popular.

Should I consult a dentist about teeth whitening?

You may want to start by speaking with your dentist. They can tell you whether whitening procedures would be effective for you. Whiteners may not correct all types of discoloration. For example, yellowish hued teeth will probably bleach well, brownish-colored teeth may not bleach as well, and grayish-hued teeth may not bleach well at all.

Bleaching may not enhance your smile in the event you have had bonding or tooth-colored fillings placed in your front teeth. The whitener will not affect the color of these materials and they will stand out in your newly whitened smile. You may want to investigate other options in this case such as porcelain veneers or dental bonding.

What teeth whitening methods are available to me?

All whitening products contain peroxide either as carbamide peroxide (CP) or hydrogen peroxide (HP). Peroxide dissolves the organic stains in the tooth to change the color and produce a whitened effect.

There are four types of peroxide-containing tooth whitening products available:

* In-practice products are applied by a dental professional. These products contain a high percentage of CP or HP and are applied directly to the teeth. Some activated by heat, light, or laser. This may be the product for you if you’re in a hurry for whiter teeth and you don’t have tooth sensitivity. For very dark-colored teeth, the whitening process can be sped up in two to three hours followed by a take-home product until the desired whiteness is achieved.

* A take-home product supervised by a dentist is the most popular whitening method. These products contain a lesser percentage of CP or HP than in-practice products and are worn in a tray overnight or during the day at home. A custom-fitted tray is made to hold the whitening product directly against the teeth while lessening its contact with the gums. Some products have fluoride added to help prevent or treat mild tooth sensitivities. The typical stains of ageing will whiten in seven to fourteen days when the tray is worn overnight.

* Over-the-counter (OTC) whitening products contain a small percentage of HP or CP. Caution should be used with these products as many contain an acidic solution that can wear away tooth enamel. OTC products use a bulky, one-size-fits-all tray to hold the product. Usually more product is swallowed than stays in the tray because of the trays poor fit against the teeth. It can take up to six months and the purchase of several kits to get whiter teeth. Flexible strips coated with whitening gel have recently been introduced as an OTC at-home tooth whitening method. The strips are worn on the front teeth and folded over to keep them in place. Results are reported to be noticeable after fourteen days and effective for 6 months.

* Over-the-counter whitening toothpastes contain a small percentage of HP, CP, or polishing ingredient. The toothpastes are effective in keeping teeth cleaner and whiter looking but some may be very abrasive. The harsh abrasive will wear away the enamel with repeated use gradually making the teeth look yellow. Whitening toothpastes remove surface stains and prevent new stains from building up. Whitening toothpastes however aren’t in contact with the teeth long enough to remove internal stains. Ask your dentist about the safety and cavity protection of specific toothpastes before you buy.

How should I choose a teeth whitening method?

It is highly advisable to inform your dentist about your goals regarding teeth whitening. They can advise you about the most suitable method and also outline the procedure, likely results, side effects and address any questions you may have.

How does teeth whitening achieve results?

The bleaching gel is usually hydrogen or carbamide peroxide that breaks down into oxygen molecules. These molecules go into the tiny pores of the enamel and dentin and break up the stains that block out the light. More light passes through the teeth and makes them look lighter as the stains are broken into smaller and smaller pieces. Stains that are accumulated over time that are yellow to slightly brown produce the best results. Teeth that are dark brown to blue-grey are the most difficult to bleach because the stain is deeply embedded in the structure of the tooth. These types of stains are usually caused by medications taken during the development of the teeth such as tetracycline and can take a minimum of three weeks to see results and as much as six months for complete results.

Results can be seen within an hour, overnight or within three to four days depending on the bleaching gel used and the length of time it is worn. Complete results can be achieved in as little as a week or as much as several months depending on the source of the stain and the ability of the teeth or tooth to be bleached. The whitening procedure may last for up to three years and even longer in some cases depending on personal habits. A simple process of bleaching for one or two nights with a single gel syringe is usually sufficient to brighten the color again.

What takes place at the initial visit to the dentist?

You will be able to talk with your dentist about the changes you would like to make in your appearance at the first visit with your dentist. Your dentist will explain the different options available to you, the procedure itself, and its risks and limitations.

Your dentist will begin with a complete medical history and examine your teeth. They may also take photos or x-rays and give you specific instructions on how to prepare for the procedure. Any large cavities may need to be addressed before bleaching can begin. Take this opportunity to ask all the questions you have about the procedure. Learning everything you can about your options, risks and benefits is the key to making an informed decision.

How are the treatments carried out?

There are three types of bleaching procedures to choose from. Two of them are performed in the dental practice and the third is a take-home self-administered treatment.

* In-Practice whitening procedures

For laser and power bleaching, a dentist begins by applying a protective material to your gums and lips in order to isolate the teeth. A special bleaching solution usually containing hydrogen peroxide is applied to the teeth. A high intensity light or laser is directed at the teeth and activates the bleaching agent causing the gel to release the oxygen molecules. Treatments for both power and laser bleaching can take as little as 45 minutes but usually last somewhere between one and two hours.

These techniques work great for a single discolored tooth as well. The bleaching solution is placed on the outside of the tooth if the tooth has become dark due to trauma but has not had a root canal. The solution can be placed on the outside as well as the inside of the tooth if the tooth has had a root canal. Leaving a bleaching solution inside the tooth and sealing the opening is referred to as ‘walking bleach’. The solution inside the tooth for a walking bleach is changed about once a week. Results can take several weeks but nothing has to be worn in the mouth.

* Take-home whitening

Take-home bleaching is performed at home under the indirect supervision of a dentist. The dentist takes impressions of the patient’s teeth and then creates a perfectly fitted mouthguard at the first appointment. This mouthguard will allow the patient to apply a bleaching solution to the teeth while protecting the rest of the mouth from contact with the bleaching chemicals.

The concentration of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide in the gel is not as strong as that used in power or laser bleaching procedures. No strong light source or laser is needed to activate the bleaching agent. It is contact with the teeth that causes the gel to release oxygen. Take-home bleaching in most cases can take from one to three weeks to achieve maximum results. The dentist during this time may want to check the progress of the treatment.

Will I experience any discomfort?

The amount of discomfort experienced varies from person to person and depends on the method used. Most adults usually experience little if any discomfort. An over-the-counter anti-inflammatory may help in the case of some discomfort. Consult your dentist for more options if the discomfort lasts for more than 2 to 3 days.

Decreasing the sensitivity may be as easy as placing a gel fluoride under your dentist’s instruction in your bleaching tray for an hour or so. Other materials may be used to address the sensitivity you may experience. Check with your dentist for the best options for your particular needs.

You should discuss your goals, budget, and pain tolerance with your dentist in order to help them determine the procedure, or combination of procedures, that will produce the best results for you.

What can I expect after teeth whitening?

The results of teeth whitening vary but most people are happy with the results. Patients should avoid foods that stain such as tobacco and red wine for about a week after any bleaching treatment. Keeping teeth clean with flossing and brushing can maintain whiteness. Tooth bleaching lasts on average about 1 to 3 years. Bleaching may last even longer if you are not a regular tobacco user and do not eat many foods that are known to stain teeth.

Decalcified spots are white spots that affect the calcium in the enamel. These spots appear chalky white and are difficult to treat with just bleaching. Your dentist may recommend a procedure called micro-abrasion. This procedure can be done by itself or in conjunction with bleaching. The micro-abrasion material is much like the paste used to clean and polish teeth. The paste consists of an abrasive combined with a hydrochloric acid used to “polish” out the white or brown spots. The procedure can be performed usually in one practice visit and can be done without anesthesia.

How long will the teeth whitening last?

The effects of the teeth whitening should last for 1 to 3 years. Daily brushing and flossing will assist in maintaining the whiteness. The duration of the whiteness will also depend on your personal habits. Drinking red wine, tea, coffee or smoking will shorten the life of the new whiteness. You may want to conduct a re-treatment in the future. This should not be as costly and time consuming as the original whitening procedure as you will already have the custom made trays.

Am I an ideal candidate for teeth whitening?

In general, the best candidates for teeth whitening are:

• Mature enough to fully understand the procedure
• Experiencing stained and marked teeth
• Knowledgeable about the procedure
• Wanting to improve their appearance and confidence
• Realistic in their expectations

The above is only a partial list of the criteria that your dentist will consider in determining whether or not this procedure is appropriate for you. Be sure to ask your dentist if they consider you an ideal candidate for this procedure.

Are there any alternatives?

Teeth that have dark stains may be better candidates for another whitening option such as veneers, bonding, or crowns. Your dentist can discuss the options best suited for your situation.

Patients interested in whitening their teeth should consult a dentist before taking on any form of treatment whatsoever. A consultation with a dentist will help you understand the benefits and risks associated with each of the options.

What are the risks and limitations?

Bleaching can produce side effects ranging from increased tooth sensitivity to pain and tenderness in the gums, tongue and other soft tissues. There is also a possibility of over-bleaching. The result will be a translucency that may appear grey from the shadows of the mouth. There is a very low percentage of this occurring and only if the bleaching process is over-extended. Having a dentist supervise the process can eliminate this risk.

With take-home bleaching there is a small risk of ingesting the gel administered by the dentist. The chances of this occurring are relatively small since your bleaching tray should fit almost perfectly around your teeth. However, if the gel is ingested, it may result in nausea, vomiting or burning. You should contact a doctor immediately if this occurs to you.

How do I choose an appropriate dentist?

It is very important you select a dentist adequately trained and experienced in teeth whitening. Your dentist is most likely equipped to administer teeth whitening. They will be able to assist you achieve your goals pertaining to teeth whitening.

What questions should I ask my dentist?

1. Are the desired results I described realistic?

2. Is there an alternative treatment that I should consider as well?

3. How long will the procedure take?

4. How much does it cost?

5. What is your experience in performing this procedure?

6. Have many patients had significant complications?

7. Can you give me some idea of the result I will achieve after the teeth whitening?

8. What should I expect after the procedure and what things should I avoid?

Anything else I should know?

• Tell your dentist about any allergies you have to foods, drugs, vinyl, peroxide, or environmental elements.

• Tell your dentist about all medications you are taking including prescription and non-prescription.

• Carefully follow any instructions your dentist gives you.

Dion Kramer
www.noblehealth.com.au

Dion Kramer is co-founder and managing director of NobleHealth. NobleHealth is a dental plan for the people of Brisbane, Australia. Members are entitled to 15% to 55% off their dental fees. Dion Kramer began writing about oral health to assist members of NobleHealth. Dion Kramer collaborates with NobleHealth dentists so his writings are topical and up-to-date. You can visit our website to learn more about NobleHealth and our dentists Brisbane http://www.noblehealth.com.au

In these times when states are suffering extreme downward pressure on budgets and spending, how is our environment making out? Did it suffer cuts right along with the Program to Assist Millionaires Become Billionaires? Are important environmental projects being dropped from the budget along with luxury items like the statehouse’s new Gold-Plated Enforcement Gavel?

And why is the issue of environmental protection relevant at the state level? Doesn’t the US Environmental Protection Agency handle all that stuff? This article answers these questions and provides smart-voting tools for you to help ensure your surroundings remain green and healthful.

ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION AT THE STATE LEVEL

While the US Environmental Protection Agency garners much of the media attention when it comes to environmental enforcement, it is actually the states that are carrying most of the load:

• 75% of the federal programs that can be delegated to states have been delegated;
• 90% of environmental enforcement actions are taken by the states;
• 94% of the data in EPA databases came from the states.

In 2003, states were only spending 1.4% of their budget on environment and natural resources–an all-time low, according to Resources for the Future (www.rff.org).

Reducing resources at the state and local levels can cut the heart out of the monitoring and enforcement actions needed to ensure that our air, water, and land–and our bodies–are protected from environmental toxins. Even more troublesome are elected officials who have a weak commitment to the environment. The back-room deals cut in your governor’s mansion, your statehouse, and your county council chambers can have a great impact on the environment.

STATE-BY-STATE ENVIRONMENTAL VOTING GUIDES

What have YOUR elected local officials been doing to (or for) your state and county environmental agencies, and how have they voted on environmental issues in general? Did your state legislators fund the widening of the Porkbarrel Parkway while downsizing your state’s Department of Natural Resources? Find out! Grinning Planet has compiled a list of the best available environmental voting guides for all 50 US states. Find it at http://www.grinningplanet.com/vote/, along with some other helpful voting tools.

Also, don’t forget about your county elections. Many important issues, such as land use and recycling programs, are usually decided at the county level. The state-level organizations we list sometimes feature links to related county or regional groups. You can also check with your local chapter of the Sierra Club (www.sierraclub.org) to see if they have a county-level voting guide.

See Article at http://www.grinningplanet.com/vote/

© 2003 by http://www.GrinningPlanet.com

© 2003 by http://www.GrinningPlanet.com

Mark is a writer, financial analyst, web developer, environmentalist, and, as necessary, chef and janitor. Grinning Planet is an expression of Mark’s enthusiasm for all things humorous and green, as well as a psychotic desire to work himself half-to-death. Hobbies include health foods, music, getting frustrated over politics, and occasionally lecturing the TV set on how uncreative it is.

bluebuck@grinningplanet.com

With a relatively increase of the everyday commodities, more and
more people are finding ways how to earn additional sources of
income so as to compensate their expenses. That’s why most
people who look for alternative ventures resort to real estate
business.

However, even if real estate business appears to be lucrative to
many, it still needs a lot of effort and skills to survive in
the industry. So, for those who want to succeed in real estates
business, here are some tips to ponder:

1. Set practical and sensible objectives.

Just like any venture, the key to a successful real estate
business lies beneath a sound and sensible target. This will
serve as the guiding principle of those who wish to make it to
the top. Through these objectives, people who are involved in
real estates business can focus more on areas that need concern
like the market, clients, and strategies that will make their
business profitable.

2. Choose the right real estate strategy.

The key to a successful real estate business is to come up with
a certain strategy that will supplement the objectives stated on
the entrepreneurs?business plan. This strategy will also provide
the right moves to take based on the kind of profit the real
estate entrepreneur wants to achieve like an express cash or
wealth establishment.

3. Entrepreneurs should acquire the characteristics of an ideal
real estate agent.

In order to succeed, people involved in this kind of business
should acquire the characteristics of an ideal real estate
agent. He or she should be adept in finding the motivated
seller, determine the value of properties, and knows how to
negotiate with their clients.

4. It’s a must to know the laws.

Part of being successful in real estate business is to know the
existing laws of the state such as tax laws. Such that, if a
real estate businessman does not know the laws, he or she may
end up losing a lot money or worst end up in jail.

5. It is important to hire a reliable accountant.

This is extremely important to almost any type of business. This
is, in reality, significant in order to succeed in real estate
business because the transactions involves money, and one of the
person who is skilled to analyze and interpret monetary
information is a certified accountant. Through the help of an
accountant, people behind the real estate business will be able
to track the ebb and flow of the market.