What is a “bite”?
Your bite is determined by the placement of your teeth and the position of your jaw. A number of factors are associated with your bite. But ideally when you close your mouth, your teeth should meet evenly and one row should not overlap the other. Types of bites include:

• Open bite – Poor positioning of the teeth causes the teeth to not close or not come together properly in the front of your mouth.
• Deep bite – Also known as a closed bite, your upper teeth cover your bottom teeth when you bite down.
• Overbite – This is the overlapping of the upper teeth over the bottom teeth.
• Under bite – It’s when your lower teeth stick out past your upper teeth.

How does your bite affect you?

According to cosmetic dentist D. Gordon Rye, D.D.S, of Rye Smiles for Life in Virginia, nearly all everyone who comes to him requesting cosmetic dentistry needs to have their bite corrected. Most cases of teeth grinding or unevenness can be attributed to bite placement being off. Similarly, every time you swallow, your upper and lower teeth come together and push against your skull. And, on average, you will swallow about 2,000 times per day. And, if your bite is off, that constant pressure could result in soreness in your jaw. This can also lead to tension, headaches, and earaches, which unfortunately, many people learn to deal with. A lot of people just become accustomed to their bite without ever knowing that it can be fixed, explains Dr. Rye.

In order to best correct the problem Dr. Rye uses a computer analysis system which focuses on muscle activity. Then, once the proper placement of the teeth is determined, the teeth can be adjusted. Sometimes the movement is only microscopic, but it makes a tremendous difference.

Besides providing you with a new level of comfort, this also provides a base for the creation of a more permanent tooth structure.  If you suffer from TMJ, or are considering veneers or braces, chances are your dentist or orthodontist will work to properly place your bite. Because even if you have a great new set of teeth, but still have an improperly placed bite, you will likely continue to suffer from some of the same persistent problems as before.

The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.

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Calming Fears About Cosmetic Dermatology

In the hands of the right dermatologist, you should never have to worry about going too far.

Cosmetic Procedure Explanations

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Which Cosmetic Procedures Do Celebrities Get?

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Cosmetic Treatments for Men

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Achieving a Liquid Face Lift

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Dysport – The Botox Alternative

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Using Restalyne and Botox in the Feet

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Unapproved Uses of Botox

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Myths About Skincare

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Common Areas to Forget to Apply Sunscreen

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Combating Dry Skin

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What is a Visia Skin Analysis?

Before you get any cosmetic procedure done you may want to get this analysis which highlights your most troublesome areas.

Using Cosmelan to Treat Pigmentation Problems

If creams and antibiotics have not worked for you in the past, these treatments may help alleviate some of your skin problems.

Treating Vitiligo

Using excimer lasers, you can treat the results of vitiligo more effectively than ever before.

Acne Guide for Teens and Adults

Understanding your skin at any age can help you address your acne problems. This guide offers some suggestions for managing and treating your acne.

Causes and Solutions for Acne Scarring

This article offers two solutions for smoothing and removing acne scars from your face.

The Future of Cosmetic Procedures

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But, what really makes celebrities envious are their glowing, blemish-free complexions. So, if your skin isn’t flawless, then none of that will matter. If you’re lucky enough to live in the Los Angeles area, then you can visit Gene Rubinstein, M.D., of the Dermatology and Laser Centre of Studio City, yourself and get the same procedures that he uses on his A-list clients. If not, then you can approach your own dermatologist and see if he can replicate Dr. Rubinstein’s work with procedures like these:

Visia Skin Analysis: Before deciding on any treatments, this device uses ultraviolet light to look below the surface of your skin. The result is a series of images that you and your dermatologist can review together to pinpoint your most troublesome areas, whether it be age spots or wrinkles, to determine the best treatment plan for you.

PhotoFacial: When Carrie Ann Inaba, a judge on Dancing with the Stars, visited Dr. Rubinstein, she first received a PhotoFacial. The noninvasive procedure uses gentle pulses of light to help reduce sun damage and age spots on face, neck chest and hands. Within five days, Inaba said she noticed full results.

Oxygen Facial: During her trip to Dr. Rubinstein’s office, Inabba also opted for a series of oxygen facials. The treatment is used to diminish fine lines, plumpen the skin, exfoliate and cleanse. A more hydrated look is instantly revealed as soon as your 30-minute facial is complete.

Fraxel Laser: During the makeover process on How Do I Look, one participant arrived at Dr. Rubinstein’s office where she received a Fraxel Laser treatment to reduce scarring from prior acne. The laser is great for evening out skin tone, minimizing pores and smoothing out acne scars.

Medial Depth Crystal Free Microdermabrasion- Even Oprah herself featured one of the popular procedures Dr. Rubinstein uses in his office on her daily talk show. The DiamondTome Skin Resurfacing System, offered by Dr. Rubinstein, uses microdermabrasion at a deep, yet clinically controlled, level. The treatment is used to extract blackheads and whiteheads, minimize blotchy skin and rejuvenate sun damaged skin.

Now, armed with these red carpet secrets, you will be able to outshine even the biggest divas and maybe even catch the eye of a certain Mr. Robert Pattinson.

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The result you are looking for in any skin care product is going to be sensational skin. More specifically however, is the way in which the product will help you achieve that goal through its active ingredients. No matter what your age, Dr. Gavin says, you can take steps to restore and protect your skin’s appearance and resilience. It is important to keep in mind that as your skin changes over time, and while you age, your skin care regimen needs to change as well. But, it is never too late to reinvent yourself. Since your skin is constantly changing, why not make the most of it?

In recent years, there have been some truly remarkable advances in skin care products, says Dr. Gavin. The formulas just keep getting more effective and less irritating to your skin. The key is to educate yourself on what you are buying so that you become a smart, savvy skin care consumer.

Buying the right products: Too many people buy skin care products based on the ads they see, or by the recommendations of sales people in department stores. Instead, stop yourself from buying into a promise, and set out to look for the most beneficial ingredients to put on your skin. After all, it is the ingredients in the products, and not the promises on the packaging, that are going to really improve your skin.

The product you purchase should aim to do at least one of the following:

• lessen lines
• lift sagging contours
• balance skin tone
• reduce redness
• clear and minimize pores
• hydrate scales and flakes
• lighten dark shadows around the eyes
• provide sun protection

Understanding the labels: It is important to not only know which ingredients are in the products, but how much of each ingredient there is. For the most part, ingredients are only effective if they are present in a certain strength. All ingredients on the label will appear in descending order of concentration. The further down in the ingredient list, the less there is. Also, Dr. Gavin advises that fragrance will generally make up .25% of any skin care product.

As a rule of thumb, if the ingredient is one of last five on the list of a label, or one of the last 10 of a long list, than you won’t be getting enough of the ingredient to make a difference. For example, if you are looking for an anti-aging cream, alpha hydroxy acid should be one of the first ingredients on the label. The acid acts as sponge, holding the water in place to hydrate skin, keeping it looking plump and full while decreasing any creases or sagging. If the ingredient appears too far down the list, then there won’t be enough of the acid to help your skin.

What doesn’t matter when it comes to your skin care regimen is the order in which you distribute creams and lotions on your face. The smallest molecules are absorbed first regardless of the order in which products are applied.

You should now be able to go through your products to determine what you should keep, and what you should part with. Look past the colors and shapes of the package because the label is what tells the real story.

The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.

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What Is a Cavity?

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Our skin in the largest organ on our body. But, unfortunately, we are not as concerned about managing its health as we are our about our heart and brain.  In reality, explains Dr. Gavin, our skin suffers a great deal. Every day the skin is exposed to wind, pesticides, smoke and the most harmful element, UV rays. Because of these factors, many of which are unavoidable, everyone should have an active skin care plan. By following these basic guidelines, you too can customize a skin care routine that will leave you with a radiant, healthy glow.

• Sun Protection: Dr. Gavin says that she cannot stress enough the importance of applying sunscreen 365 days a year. The ultraviolet rays that are emitted by the sun are the worst for our body. Whether it is a beautiful day outside or it is cloudy or snowing, if you do not have the proper sunscreen on, you are leaving your skin exposed.
• Exfoliate: You should exfoliate every single day to remove the buildup of dead skin cells. Especially as you age, the layer of dead skin cells thickens which can leave skin feeling rough and dry. By combating these dead cells everyday, you can drastically soften your skin. For everyday use an over the counter exfoliating scrub is fine. For a more intense exfoliating treatment though, Dr. Gavin recommends visiting your dermatologist’s office or a medical spa for either microdermabrasions or vibradermabrasions a few times a year.
• Moisturize: Regardless of your skin type, you should be moisturizing your skin every day, perhaps even multiple times a day depending on how often you shower and wash your face. As you age, you will also find that your skin does not obtain moisture the way it used to, making this step even more crucial. Even people with oily skin should moisturize, explains Dr. Gavin. Moisturizers will actually trick your skin into not producing more oil.
• Exercise: Just as with any other part of our body, staying active is a wonderful way to keep your skin in shape. Sweating is actually a great, natural way to make skin radiant. And, as long as you clean the skin on your face and body properly after a workout, you won’t see breakouts resulting from sweat.
• Nutrition: A balanced diet is essential to keeping your skin looking young and blemish-free. Staying away from oily and fatty foods will reduce blemishes, but you may also want to ask your doctor about nutritional supplements that can help even out skin tone and improve your skin’s overall appearance.

And remember, these rules do not apply just to your face. The skin on your elbows is just as important as the skin on your cheeks.

The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.

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Should you choose a manual or an electric toothbrush? Well, that depends on if you like doing all the work or having all the work done for you.

If you do a good job brushing with a manual toothbrush, you can make it work well for you. But in my experience, most people don’t brush their teeth for longer than 45 seconds. And if you can compare how many strokes you can get into those 45 seconds with a manual as opposed to an electric toothbrush, the electric undeniably wins out. An electric toothbrush provides up to 50,000 strokes per minute versus the average manual brush, which only does about 300 strokes per minute. So guess which one is more effective at removing those tenacious plaque accumulations?

And as far as kids are concerned, it might be easier to get yours to brush with an electric toothbrush. As we all know, kids don’t relish having to brush their teeth, so giving them a toy to play with that moves around and looks cool (electric toothbrushes are bigger and sleeker than manual ones, and yes, they just look cooler) should give them an incentive to brush more often.

There are many variables of electric toothbrushes. The basic types are those with spinning, oscillating, and vibrating (sonic) bristles. The top-of-the-line models I like are the Oral-B Triumph and the Sonicare electric brushes. These two types of popular toothbrushes work differently from one another:

1. The Oral-B Triumph: This one has a “reciprocated head.” No, that does not mean it has two heads! It actually goes a quarter of a turn in one direction, then turns back the other way. I would recommend this type of toothbrush — an oscillating brush — over a spinning brush. Those that just spin can generate unwanted heat and abrasive action in your mouth.
2. The Sonicare: The Sonicare has vibrating bristles; it does not spin. I like it because it vibrates at a high speed, causing toothpaste to emulsify (break down) in those critical spaces between the teeth.
   

If you do choose a manual toothbrush, make sure the bristles are soft. Medium or hard bristles, combined with the abrasive silica in toothpastes, can wear unsightly and sensitive grooves at the gum line over a number of  years. Also, it’s important to choose the appropriate size for yourself or your child. A brush that is too large can be difficult to manipulate and can miss important areas that need to be cleaned.

The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.

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While most medical spas are still using microdermabrasion to exfoliate the skin and leave it glowing, Dr. Gavin has already introduced her patients to vibradermabrasion. The new procedure, she says, is now more preferred by her patients and has proven to be more effective in clearing the skin than microdermabrasion.

Instead of using the crystal and suction method of microdermabrasion, which can damage the skin and cause bruising or capillaries to break, vibradermabrasion uses vibrating paddles coated with fixed abrasives so that no excess particles are flying around. And, the paddles that are used come in varying sizes, ensuring that all the areas of the face can be covered quickly, with the precise attention they deserve. Dr. Gavin insists that this is a wonderful way to exfoliate the skin and increase new collagen production. It is also a less abrasive way for acne patients to exfoliate their skin.

If you have had microdermabrasion treatments in the past, you know that protective eyewear must be worn by both you and your doctor so that the particles that break lose don’t harm your eyes. And, you may even have found leftover crystal particles on your skin in the days following the procedure which can be bothersome and irritating to the skin.

With vibradermabrasions, however, no eye protection is necessary. Because only the vibrations of the paddles are being used to buff away the top layer of the skin, and not crystals, your doctor will be able to address the fine lines and wrinkles that surround the eye. Being able to successfully treat this area with a dermabrasion approach has never been done before. Overall, it keeps your skin looking as healthy and glowing as possible.

The treatment can also be used on other areas of the body plagued by rough skin like the neck, hands, feet and back. A vibradermabrasion session takes approximately 45 minutes to complete, and will cost you about 15% more then microdermabrasion. But, unlike a microdermabrasion treatment, you will see little redness or irritation on your face, allowing you to return to your normal daily activities immediately.

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The subject of in-home toxins is somewhat controversial. A lot of people believe their homes are perfectly safe and present no health issues. However, if a person living with you has a compromised immune system or respiratory problem, you may find additional care is needed to keep the environment comfortable for him. Others who are perfectly healthy may still be sensitive to any present toxins.

The best way to find out if you are being affected is to get a thorough cleaning and monitor the health of those in your home over the course of a few weeks. Even with no concrete proof of home toxins, you may find the deep cleaning of your home improves the environment enough to continue the process. Gary Trevano, president of Quality Master Services: Colorado Carpet Care, suggests, at the very least, to ensure a clean home, “Clean air ducts once a year. The homeowner may not realize it, but those in the home may be having breathing issues. Carpet should be cleaned every 6 months.”

Toxic Substances

Certain substances in your home may create an unhealthy environment. A variety of appliances, cleaning products, and building materials may expel gasses, chemicals, or toxins. If you have mold or other pollutants in the home, they may be affecting the air quality as much as it is affecting the materials on which they grow. Other offending items include radon, lead, asbestos, dust, and water pollutants.

Modern homes with energy upgrades are nearly airtight. While this is a great way to save on heating costs, it reduces the ventilation of the home, which means not as much fresh air is circulating through the home, dispersing the toxins. When certain toxins become airborne, like asbestos or mold, particles and spores can be inhaled. This is a case where ventilation would not solve the problem. Instead of letting in fresh air, consider a professional abatement service offered by Quality Master Services: Colorado Carpet Care. Aside from asbestos and mold, consider pollutants like lead paint, cigarette smoke, and pet dander. Each of these should be dealt with appropriately.

Other Dangers

In addition to pollutants that can be inhaled, homes may feature a variety of other dangers that can be solved with simple common sense. Be sure electrical cords are out of reach of children and pets. Research what foods and cleaning items are dangerous for pets and be sure to store them out of reach. Also pay special attention to the reactions of your child as he samples new foods. Old toys that are worn out or broken should be disposed of. It is also important to secure garbage indoors and outside. Other items to keep tabs on include chemical cleaners, medications, craft items like needles, and power tools.

Another area to pay special attention to is the dryer vent. Lint buildup in the vent is a  serious fire hazard. If you find your dryer is not working efficiently, it could be due to a buildup of lint in the vent. In some cases, animals may have built a nest in or near the vent, preventing it from working properly.  When completing a thorough cleaning of your home, include a dryer vent check in the process. Dryer vents should be cleaned annually, at least. It is possible to clean vents yourself, but a professional cleaning can be more thorough and provide you with greater piece of mind. Some communities require proof an annual professional cleaning in order to protect other homes in the area.

The heating system of your home is another important aspect to consider during a household cleaning. You will need to contact professionals for cleaning of ducts, pipes, furnace, and chimney. Even if you are only using the heating system for a portion of the year, it will still need to be cleaned on the regular basis. At the very least, be sure your furnace is in good working order before the cold of winter sets in.

Quality Master Services: Colorado Carpet Care provides a variety of professional cleaning services in both crisis and non-emergency situations. Those concerned about the health and hygiene of their home will appreciate the company’s extensive cleaning knowledge. If you need cleaning on short notice, or you want to choose a company you can count on to do a thorough job, contact them for information.

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What is a cavity?
A cavity, which basically looks like a black hole in your tooth, is an infection caused by bacteria in the mouth giving off acids that eat holes in the enamel of the teeth.

Who is at risk for cavities?
1. People with lowered immune systems.
2. People with weak tooth enamel. This is why it’s important to get regular doses of fluoride, which strengthens tooth enamel, from your drinking water, toothpaste, or other sources.
3. People with poor dental hygiene. Those who don’t floss and brush regularly are more likely to get cavities. Studies show that flossing regularly is more important than brushing regularly – but you must do both! Visit your dentist at least once every six months for a teeth cleaning.
4. People with poor diets. To form a cavity, the bacteria have to have food to survive on. So people who eat a lot of sugars and acids and leave them on their teeth can get cavities quickly. So watch your diet and limit those carbonated sports and energy drinks, soft drinks, and sugary foods.
5. People who are on certain medications. Medications that dry out your mouth can contribute to cavities. These include certain anti-anxiety drugs, blood pressure drugs, heart drugs, and even over-the-counter allergy pills. Your saliva acts as a car wash for your teeth, bringing in white blood cells to disinfect your mouth, and when there isn’t much of it, you’re going to be more susceptible to tooth decay.

The reasons are often multifactorial because many of them are interdependent. For example, someone with a bad diet is more likely to have bad hygiene and weak tooth enamel.

What is the biggest factor that contributes to cavities?
Poor dental hygiene.

What do dentists prescribe to fight cavities?
For people who get a lot of cavities, I prescribe a gel-form fluoride treatment. We make custom fluoride trays for these patients and have put the gel on for about five minutes a day.

The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.

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