Some Common Myths And Facts About Vaccinations

Health experts recommend babies follow a strict vaccination schedule. However, a lot of parents have misconceptions about vaccinations and as such, not having their kids immunised.

Below are some of the most common myths about vaccinations and the truth about them

Myth #1: Vaccinations are not necessary since many diseases are not rampant anymore.

Fact: Diseases that vaccines combat still exist, even if they are rare. Due to vaccine programs, all vaccine-preventable diseases have declined in general. But when immunization rates drop, these diseases can come back. Also, many of the vaccine-preventable diseases that are uncommon in certain areas can still occur in other parts of the world. With travel and immigration, there is a real risk of these diseases being brought into your country. Any child who is not vaccinated is at risk when infections are imported.

Myth #2: There will be fewer side effects if a baby’s vaccinations are delayed.

Fact: Vaccines should begin at 2 months of age to protect babies as early in life as possible against diseases that can make them very sick, such as pertussis. In addition, side effects from vaccination are not more common in young babies than older children.

Myth #3: Vaccines are not adequately tested for safety.

Fact: Vaccines are safe and effective since they go through many steps before local health agencies approve them for use. Vaccines must prove to be safe and effective at preventing the diseases they target. Once a vaccine is in use, local and international health authorities continue to monitor for side effects. It is also worth knowing that serious side effects to vaccines are very rare.

Info source: simimamaarabia.com

History Of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

DSM-5 lists Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD as a subtype of a major depressive of bipolar disorder. This disorder is characterized by relentless symptoms of depression that usually coincide with the fall and winter months. A variant can also be present in spring and summer.

Brief History
 
Official research on SAD started in the United States in 1979. The study was inspired by Herb Kern. Kern was a research engineer who noticed he felt depressed during the winter months. He suspected this problem was caused by diminished amount of daylight during these months. He then presented the idea to scientists at the National Institute for Mental Health (NIMH). The scientists then formally studied the disorder and invented a light box to help Kern with his depression. Kern’s symptoms began to abate after a few days of treatment. Other patients also reported the same result.

In 1984, Norman E. Rosenthal, M.D. and his associates at the NIMH undertook the first formal study. This study was mainly motivated by Rosenthal’s personal wintertime depression. He came up with the theory that the reduction in natural light during the winter months was the cause of the depression. He then conducted and documented a placebo-controlled study where light therapy was used. Years after the findings were circulated, Rosenthal published a book called “Winter Blues” which was released in 1993.  This book became the standard introduction to the subject in professional circles.

At present, studies show that SAD rates are highest in the regions furthest from the equator, with rates in Finland at 9.5 percent of the population, 20 percent in Ireland, 8.9 percent in Alaska, and 10 percent in the Netherlands.

Info source: www.sadlightsreview.com

Treadmills – A Vital Equipment for Animals Too

Generally, we think of treadmills only as a machine for exercising. A machine you often see in the gym for stationary walking or running. However, treadmills have many kinds and uses.

Did you know that treadmills were once used as punishment equipment? Rather than the exercising equipment r we now know today, treadmills before were used to facilitate manual labor like grinding grain by powering the mill. Being operated manually by either animals or humans, prisoners who are sentenced to do hard labor in the earlier times power up treadmills.

Nowadays, there are various models of treadmills and each one has different purposes such as training machine, medical equipment for diagnosis and therapy, and other activities involving animals.

Yes. Animals use treadmills as well.

In fact, horses use them as training equipment. Horses, especially those for racing, are tested on specially constructed treadmills as part of their preparation for the competition.

Dogs use treadmills, too, particularly those who are used to running on a conveyor. They use treadmills to exercise. 

There are also different models and designs of medical treadmills for dogs and other pets.  Many animal experts like veterinarians and animal rehabilitation centers even include underwater treadmill therapy in their services.

Trivia info resource: www.gympros.com

Some Food Products That Are Bad For Your Health

Eating food is a must if you want to have all the nutrients you need every day to go about your daily activities. However, everything you eat should contain the necessary healthy nourishing substances you need, particularly proteins, vitamins, and minerals.

Unfortunately, not everything you put in your mouth is healthy. Although they may be filling and taste delicious, they may be bad for your health.

Below are the top food and food products you may be eating that are bad for your health:

White bread – A lot of commercial bread which you can find in supermarkets are unhealthy, even for people who are gluten-tolerant, since they contain gluten and refined wheat. Refined wheat is low in essential nutrients or are simply empty calories and can lead to rapid spikes in one’s blood sugar level.

Refined sugar and high fructose corn syrup – These two products have lots of calories but no essential nutrients. Various studies have also linked sugar to numerous diseases including obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and even cancer.

Commercial vegetable oils - Soybean oil, corn oil, and canola oil are some of the most popularly used industrial vegetable oils today. Although they may be healthier than regular oil, they are highly sensitive to oxidation and can cause increased oxidative stress in the body. Commercial vegetable oils have also been linked to increased risk of cancer.

Cookies, pastries, and cakes – Commercially made sweets are extremely unhealthy since they are generally made with refined sugar, refined wheat flour and added fats that are unhealthy such as shortenings. They contain no essential nutrients, but tonnes of calories and unhealthy ingredients.

Info source: www.joubertnutrition.com.au

Herbs That Can Boost One’s Sexual Drive

One of the most popular types of synthetic drugs in recent history is Viagra – a medicine that helps improve the sexual drives of men. Men should know that there are other solutions they can opt for when they are feeling inadequate in the romantic or sensual department. And Mother Nature has the some natural cures for them.

There are certain herbs that can naturally one’s sexual drive. These herbs include the following:

Tongkat ali. This is a remarkably rare, tree-like flowering plant native in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. It is regarded as one of the most powerful hormone and sex drive-modulating herbs on the planet today. Tongkat ali is one of the few natural substances that has been scientifically proven to actually boost an individual’s testosterone levels.

Mucuna beans.  This is a specific type of plant which loaded with large amounts of psychological and hormonally active compounds, particularly L-Dopamine - a powerful aphrodisiac. The high concentrations of L-Dopamine cause the brain to release dopamine which stimulates the pituitary gland to produce human growth hormone. This hormone promotes muscle growth, increased strength, and boosts one’s levels of testosterone - all of which result in an improved sex drive.

Pine pollen. This herb is widely known in the Chinese Medicine tradition as a powerful androgenic and vitality enhancing substance. Pine pollen is regarded the sexual fluid of pine trees. It tends to have similar effects on a person’s hormonal system and sex drive. Like mucuna, it is a powerful and rare jing-enhancing herb (one that restores your sexual and vital essence) with markedly aphrodisiac effects.

Info source: www.naturaltongkatali.com

Tattoo Facts You Did Not Know

Tattoos were considered the watermark of social outcasts and rebels fifty years ago. Today, an average girl might have a unicorn on her ankle or perhaps a butterfly on her neck. Tattoos have already become a part of the human experience since the Stone Age. Presently, nearly all cultures around the world consider getting inked.

Facts About Tattoos

For people who don’t want to commit to permanent inking, henna tattoos can be a great alternative. The henna dye, derived from a plant, has already been used for years to draw designs on the skin or to color the hair. Avoid the black henna though since it contains carcinogens.

Did you know that tattoo ages with you? As you get older, your tattoo does too. Your skin replenishes itself continuously and this cycle will slow down over time – and this will result in an aged appearance of your tattoo.

After you get inked, skin allergies may develop at any time. This means that allergic reactions do not just happen immediately after getting inked. Some experience scars or rashes years after they got the tattoo.  

Did you know that Confucius was against tattoos because he believed that the human body is a gift. Plato, on the other hand, said that persons guilty of sacrilege should be forcibly tattooed.

Do you know who the world’s most tattooed person is? He is Lucky Diamond Rich. He is 100% tattooed. His entire body was covered with tattoos. He actually holds the Guinness World Record being 100% tattooed as of 2006. Rocker Tommy Lee, on the other hand, became the very first man to be tattooed mid-air in 2007.

Today, the most efficient tattoo removal technique is laser surgery. The easiest color to remove is black since it absorbs plenty of laser waves. The most difficult ones are yellow and green.

Trivia Info Resource: www.medicalvillage.ae

Common Types Of Shoulder Problems

Health experts say that the shoulder joint has the greatest range of motion of any joint in the whole body. Because of its innate flexibility and mobility, the shoulder is more likely to be injured or cause problems. The acromioclavicular (AC) joint, a joint that lies over the top of the shoulder, has higher tendencies of being easily injured as well.

Shoulder problems can either be minor or serious. But what are the most common types of shoulder problems that can plague individuals from time to time? These include the following:

Dislocation – This particular type of shoulder problem occurs when the ball at the top of the bone in the upper arm pops out of the socket. This usually happens if the shoulder is twisted or pulled very hard. Dislocation is more common in young, active people.

Separation – This issue comes up when the ligaments between the collarbone and the shoulder blade are torn. This injury is usually caused by a blow to the shoulder or by falling on an outstretched hand.

Tendinitis and bursitis or rotator cuff diseases – Tendinitis refers to the condition when the tendons become inflamed from being pinched by parts around the shoulder. Bursitis, on the other hand, happens when the bursa (a small fluid-filled sac which helps protect the shoulder joint) is inflamed. Rheumatoid arthritis and overuse of the shoulder due to playing sports or work-related activities are two of the most common causes of bursitis.

Info source: www.durrantortho.co.nz

The Top 3 Body Parts Prone To Cellulite

Health and fitness experts say that cellulite is a fat and fibre issue. It is not simply a fat issue, as most people erroneously think. Women, in general, are more prone to developing flabs due to the vertical distribution of collagen fibres in certain parts of their body. Ladies usually also have a harder time losing cellulite from their lower body because of their unique physiology caused by the female hormones.

Both men and women though have certain body parts that are prone to developing cellulite. These are:

1. Abdomen – As one ages, fat gradually builds up beneath the skin. If the blood does not remove some of these fats and toxins, they begin to form hard bunches. The same health issues that cause poor blood circulation can also trigger the connective tissues to weaken. This result in cellulite that looks like the texture of an orange peel or cottage cheese which can also be dimpled or have modules throughout the abdomen.

2. Arms - Although the arms are rarely thought of as fatty parts of the body, they also tend to have a lot of loose skin. Once the skin on the arms stretches out due to age or weight gain, it becomes thinner and this makes it easier for cellulite to be seen.

3. Thighs - The thighs are one of the primary fat storage areas of the body in females. Women produce the hormone estrogen which triggers the body to store fat. Fat and cellulite are easier to see in ladies since they have thinner skin than men. Generally, thigh cellulite is also doubly hard to remove when compared to those found in other body parts.

Info source: www.bodysmart.ae

Fascinating Facts About Nails

Nails give beauty to both hands and feet. But apart from this, there is a lot more to nails.

Little Known Nail Facts

Did you know that your dominant hand fingernail grow faster than your other hand fingernails? Also, fingernails grow an average of 3.5 millimetres every month while toenails grow an average of 1.16 millimetres. Furthermore, temperature actually affects nail growth. During summers or warm condition, nails grow faster. It slows down during cold seasons.

Did you know that your nail is the only body part that does not sweat? This is actually a universal fact.

Did you know that nails and hairs have a relationship? Both are made up of Keratin. The next time you take care of your diet for hairs, you will certainly see a huge difference in your nail’s health also.

Do you know what onychophagia means? This refers to nail biting, a nervous habit. Based on research, most people get rid of such habit on their own when they reach the age of 30. Though nail biting is not harmful, health experts highly emphasized that swallowing nail bits will cause problems in the long run.

Did you know that your nails do breathe? If you are fond of painting your nails, think twice. Know that nail paint is killing your nails. It suffocates your nail bed, making it dry and your nail weaker.

Can stress inhibit nail growth? Experts say yes. If you have improper sleep because of increased stress, nutrients can be diverted away from your nails. So if your nail is becoming weak, check your sleeping habit and always be calm.

Trivia Info Resource: www.bedashingbeauty.com

Facts You Didn’t Know About Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care began more than a hundred years ago. Over time, it has gained recognition around the world as among the most effective forms of medical care. Studies have shown that there is a very high patient satisfaction rate – it is regarded as among the safest and financially feasible medical care forms.

Lesser-Known Facts About Chiropractic Care

Did you know that among the most successful chiropractors ever was blind? For Dr. Charles Robinson Johnson, visual impairment doesn’t make a person incapable. He graduated from the Palmer School of Chiropractic in 1918 and became the first blind chiropractor. Publications have named him, “The Man Who Made Peekskill Famous”. He practiced in Peekskill, New York for more than 25 years already. He attends to hundreds of patients every week.

Chiropractic care might help torture survivors. The Boston University of Public Health has reported that there are some forms of alternative and complementary medicine that can treat survivors of trauma and torture – and this includes chiropractic.

Only trained professionals must perform chiropractic care. Due to the fact that proper chiropractic care will involve more than just a couple of simple manipulation and motions, it is only considered safe when done by a trained individual. In fact, a man in India has developed severe spinal cord and brainstem problems in 2001 after receiving an adjustment from a barber.

Healers also need healing. The Los Angeles College of Chiropractic has surveyed 1000 United States chiropractors in 2006 in order to know what work-related injuries have they experienced. Respondents claimed that the most common affected their shoulder, hands, and lower back, and most happened while positioning a patient or performing an adjustment. Also, it was found out that such injuries happened in the first 5 years of practice.

Trivia Info Resource: www.drrichardchiropractic.com.au

What Are The Benefits Of Meditation

Meditation is now considered as one of the best and safest ways to achieve health and wellness. A lot of people are practicing meditation because they have seen its positive effect to those people who are suffering from several different health problems. Learn more about the benefits of meditation here.

- It helps relieve stress.
- It increases positive emotions.
- It reduces loneliness.
- It boosts immune system.
- It increases memory.
- It increases brain volume.
- It decreases anxiety.
- It decreases depression.
- It helps boost killer cell activity for cancer patients.

Indeed, meditation has a lot of benefits. However, one must still make sure that his mind and body is strong enough before starting the meditation. It is also recommended to seek an expert’s help to ensure positive effects. With an expert’s help, you will be guided on how to correctly meditate. These experts have both the knowledge and experience to perform meditations and teach other people about the proper ways of doing it as well.

Trivia Info Resource: imageryconnection.com

The Benefits Of Biking

Biking is one fun way to bond with your partner, friends or family. It is also one way to truly see and appreciate nature especially if you go biking around your neighborhood. However, biking is also one great way to exercise and achieve your desired fitness level. And because of these things, a lot of people opt to bike.

Aside from the things mentioned above, there many other benefits of biking. Check out the following:

- It ramps up your metabolism. Some people really have slow metabolism. Biking is one fun way to improve your metabolism to make your efforts in losing weight a lot easier and faster.

- It helps tone the muscles. If you do not have problems with your weight but with your muscle toning, biking is a smart exercise option. It focuses on the muscles in your thighs, calves, legs and hips.

- It helps strengthen your immune system. Biking is seen to have an added benefit of strengthening your immune system so you can protect yourself against sickness and even cancer.

These are only some of the benefits that one can get when biking. It is no wonder why more and more people are now investing in a quality kind of bike.

Trivia Info Resource: www.gympros.com

Home Treatments For Whiter Teeth

One of the many dental issues that most people worry about is how to make their teeth whiter. Most people think that teeth whitening is very expensive and can only be done by going to the dentist. This is actually not totally true as you can take advantage of simple home treatments that are effective for making your teeth whiter. Check out the following.

- Banana peels. The nest time you eat a banana, do not throw the peels away as you can use it to whiten your teeth. Rub them on your teeth for at least two minutes and leave it there for 15 minutes before brushing your teeth as usual. Do this twice a week and soon enough you will notice a whiter set of teeth.

- Strawberries. Strawberries are rich in malic acid which is a natural enzyme known to whiten teeth and is even present in most teeth whitening products. Just mash 2 strawberries up and rub them on your teeth. Leave them on for 3 minutes and rinse them off with water.

- Lemon peel. Lemon peels have high acid level and they can be an effective bleaching agent for your teeth. Rub the lemon peels on your teeth for a couple of minutes and rinse off with water. Make sure you do this not more than twice a week as overdoing this will cause tooth decay due to the lemon’s high acid level.

Trivia Info Resource: www.desertpalmaz.com

Foods That Can Naturally Whiten Your Teeth

Teeth whitening treatments, whether over-the-counter or in-office professional dental ones, can take a lot of time, effort, and money from your part. These treatments can have temporary or prolonged effects. And if you smoke, love to drink red wine, alcoholic, and carbonated drinks, and don’t have a good diet, you can’t expect the effects of these teeth whitening treatments to last long.

Foods That Can Help Whiten Your Teeth

Having the right diet really plays an important role in your teeth whitening endeavors. And there are certain foods that can naturally whiten your teeth; eating more of these can help you have a brighter and dazzling smile.

Below are some foods that have been proven to be effective in whitening one’s teeth:

Nuts – Snacking on nuts such as almonds, cashews, walnuts, and sesame seeds frequently can stimulate one’s saliva which will help wash away bacteria. The nuts’ abrasive texture is quite effective in removing existing surface stains.

Strawberries – This type of fruit contain malic acid, which acts as a natural astringent that helps break down and remove surface stains. Eating them can help whiten your teeth, but if you want a more effective dose, crush a few strawberries, mix them with baking soda, and use this to brush your teeth with.

Mushrooms - Shiitake mushrooms, in particular, contain a tooth-friendly compound called lentinan – an ingredient that obstructs the growth of damaging bacteria that cause tooth decay and discoloration.

Onions - Onions contain antibacterial sulfur compounds that can prevent plaque buildup. Their lingering flavor also helps whiten teeth in an indirect way: because of their smell, you’re more likely to brush your teeth after eating them. However, to get all the benefits, you have to consume raw onions and not cooked ones. 

Info source: www.lifesmilesdentalcare.com

The Top 4 Foods That Are Bad For Your Teeth

Today, many people are becoming more and more health conscious. Aside from being more physically active, a lot of people are being more selective about the food they eat. They know that a good diet is essential to achieving all their health fitness goals.

Having a good and balanced diet is also crucial to the health and condition of one of the most important parts of your body: your teeth. Eating and avoiding certain types of food can certainly help you to maintain and even improve the healthy and good condition of your teeth.

Foods That Can Damage Your Teeth
 
Below are the top 4 foods you should not eat to avoid damaging your teeth:

Ice. Chewing ice cubes or flavored ice on snow cones can ruin your teeth. This is because your teeth can feel vulnerable after chewing on ice. And since ice is hard, it can easily damage your tooth enamel.

Hard candy. They may be yummy to suck on, but their sugar content can cause you to develop dental cavities. Hard candy is also one of the main causes of various dental emergencies, including broken tooth.

Sticky foods. Gummy bears or worms, jelly beans, chocolates, and other types of sticky foods are more likely to stay on your teeth longer. Because of this, tooth decay and other ailments can occur over time.

Starchy foods. Foods rich in starch, such as potato chips and instant noodles, can cause damage to your teeth. Whether they are crunchy or chewy, they are more likely to get stuck in your teeth, and the crunchy kind can lead to broken teeth as well.

Info source: www.oraclefamilydental.com

The Most Common Instruments Used By Dentists

Whenever you visit your dentist, the first thing that you would usually notice is the assortment of instruments he or she has.  It can be quite to ignore these dental tools since they are laid in an organized manner on the dentist’s table.

Commonly Used Dental Instruments

You may already be familiar with some of the names of these dental instruments, but there are some that may be unknown to you. Below are the names of the commonly used dental tools and their uses:

Dental Mirrors. A dental mirror is used to increase a dentist’s visibility. This specific type of mirror usually has a rounded mirror on the end of a slim handle. They are also usually called mouth mirrors to give any dentist the ability to see the backside of teeth and in places otherwise hidden. With the use of a dental mirror, a dentist will have a complete view of your teeth and their health.

Peridontal Probes. This dental instrument is a blunt, straight, and thin tool that is used to make accurate measurements in the mouth. This tool has small engravings on it to make accurate measurements of distances and gaps in your teeth. There are different types of dental probes, but the most common ones are the Michigan O, Williams Probe and the PCP12 probe.

Dental Explorers. Also known as a sickle probe, a dental explorer is a short, small pointed tool with a slight hook at the end. They normally have a slim handle and are used for exploring for soft spots in your teeth that might indicate decay.  The hook on the end of the dental explorer is used for tactile investigation of the enamel which can indicate early stages of tooth decay.

Info source: www.eshomdds.com

The History Of Dental Floss

Flossing is one of the core elements of good oral hygiene.  When you floss, you remove any deep-seated food residues between teeth and gums. Flossing is also the best preventive method against plaque that builds up at the base of teeth.

How Flossing Started

But how did flossing come about and who invented it? Below is a look at the origin of flossing:


• Before the invention of modern dental floss, animal hairs such as the ones from a horse’s tail were used for flossing.

• The first thread-like form of dental floss was invented by American dentist Levi Spear Parmly. He used silk thread for the first modern dental floss. Parmly was a dentist from New Orleans. He recommended using silk floss to clean the teeth, since he believed that microbes collecting on the teeth were the primary cause of tooth decay. This was a new idea, and not widely accepted first.

• Dental floss was only marketed to the general public in the late 1800s.

• During the latter part of the 19th century, the Codman and Shurtleft Company began mass production of an unwaxed, silk dental floss.

• Johnson and Johnson began production and distribution of their version of a silk dental floss in 1896.

• During World War II, nylon dental floss became available. As of today, nylon dental floss is still the most widely used form of dental floss.

Info source: www.smilesofchandler.com

What Causes Crooked Teeth In Children?

Having straight or perfectly aligned teeth depends a lot on the development of your pearly whites when you were a child. The crucial years in teeth development happens between the ages of 6 – 12 years.  During these years, children usually start losing their baby teeth, starting at around six years of age. From 6 - 12 years, kids will have a mixture of adult and baby teeth. Around 10 – 12 years,  a child’s baby teeth at the back are replaced. By this age, most kids will already have all their adult teeth, with the exception of the third molars or the wisdom teeth. During these years, it is important children get all the help they can get to make sure they have straight teeth that they can carry with them during adulthood.

To help your kids have naturally straight teeth, you have to aid them in avoiding the usual causes of having crooked teeth. These are:

Tooth decay. If the baby teeth of your child is unhealthy or is covered with plaque and decay, there is a risk that that there won’t be enough space in your child’s jaw for his or her adult teeth to grow in properly. As such, it is essential to keep your child's teeth healthy by teaching him or her to drink from a bottle by 12 to 14 months, avoiding the use of a pacifier, regularly brushing teeth with a small amount of toothpaste, and flossing after all the baby teeth have all erupted.

Thumb-sucking. Thumb-sucking is a natural reflex that helps soothe children. However, this can also damage the alignment of a kid’s teeth and the roofs of his or her mouth. According to a study, vigorous thumb-suckers are especially likely to experience dental problems than kids who simply rest their thumb in their mouth.

Info source: www.apaaesthetic.ae

What is Liposuction

Many people these days, especially women, are really looking for ways to achieve the perfect body that they have always wanted. They then start to eat right and exercise just so they can get rid of fat deposits in their body. However, these solutions may not always work with some people. And so, they opt for a more advanced solution which is liposuction.

What is liposuction? It is actually a cosmetic surgical procedure that is now becoming really in-demand for people who want to eliminate stubborn body fats. It targets a specific area in your body such as your thighs, buttocks, abdomen, neck and arms. These body parts are often the place where fats are deposited and it can be really hard to get rid of even with regular exercise.

Liposuction is most commonly called ‘lipo” and is very popular with those in the entertainment and fashion industry who need to look good always. This is an effective way to tone, sculpt and contour your body to make is look sexier, fitter and younger. And so, even if this procedure is very expensive, many people still opt for liposuction not only because it is very effective but also because the result is evident in just right after a short period of time.

Trivia Info Resource: lavidacosmeticmedicine.com.au

The Usual Types Of Over-The-Counter Teeth Whitening Methods

If you want to have a whiter set of teeth, chances are, you will immediately head to your dentist for a teeth whitening procedure. At the end of your appointment, you will surely leave your dentist’s clinic with shiny white teeth.

However, there are some teeth whitening products that you can buy from drugstores and other shops. They may not offer the best results as the solutions offered by dentists but they still help whiten your teeth. You can follow the product’s instructions and safely whiten your teeth at home or anywhere it’s convenient for you. Below are the common types of over-the-counter teeth whitening methods:

Toothpastes - Toothpastes only whiten and will not bleach your teeth. Most whitening toothpastes have mild abrasive effect. There are some products that can lighten teeth by up to one shade.

Strips - Whitening strips are thin pieces of peroxide coated plastic. To use this, you need to attach the strips to the front of your teeth and wear them for approximately 30 minutes a day for two weeks. The results usually last about four months. Whitening strips are the most effective form of do-it-yourself whitening procedures today.

Gel - Whitening gel can offer similar results to strips. The particular treatment procedure however will depend on the type and strength of gel you choose.

Pre-made whitening trays – Many people say that store bought whitening trays often fit uncomfortably. And since they are not customized for your set of teeth, the gel may ooze out and irritate your gum tissue. Most dental professionals recommend you choose dentist-provided trays instead of the store bought ones.

Info source: www.desertfamilydental.com