The Dry Socket

Even though they aren't life threatening like bleeding or abscesses, dry sockets can be extremely painful. They are very common following surgery, and happen to be one of the most painful post extraction problems. Dry sockets are more common with removal of the lower teeth than they are with removal of upper teeth. No matter what type of extraction you have performed, a dry socket can occur with any type.

Although there is really no way to prevent a dry socket, you can help to reduce the risk by following your after surgery directions. Even though you may be following the directly precisely, you could still end up with a dry socket. They are known as a quirk of nature, and will make you feel like you are on your death bed – although you really aren't. Those who are more at risk to dry sockets include those who smoke following extractions, and those who like to grind their teeth frequently.

A dry socket is a condition where the blood clot that forms after an extraction detaches itself from the socket walls. Sometimes, the clot will dissolve, leaving the bone exposed to food, the weather, and even saliva. Once the bone is exposed, it can become inflamed. The inflammation that occurs is very painful, often times being a deep pain that makes you feel as if you are dying.

If you leave it alone, the dry socket will heal. It will normally take around a month or so, although the pain won't let up during the healing period. If you have a dry socket, you'll find that antibiotics and even the strongest of prescription drug won't cure it. An antibiotic will normally cure infections, although a dry socket isn't considered to be an infection.

The best way to fight a dry socket is to go back to your dentist and have him pack the socket. Packing the socket is done without any anesthesia and can be quite painful. It doesn't take long to complete, and it can provide relief from the pain. Once you have a dry socket, you won't care about anything but stopping the pain. The pain can be so intense at times that you will be willing to do anything to stop the pain – even for a few minutes.

Once the socket has been packed, you will be relived from pain for a day or so. If you go back to your dentist, he will remove the old packing, wash the socket out, and place a new packing in. This way, you can get relief from the pain and help the socket heal. Keep in mind that it will take time to heal – and the best way to stop the pain is to do your best to avoid a dry socket at all costs.


 

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Skin Care For Acne

Caring for your skin is important for good health and beauty, but especially so if you are prone to acne. One of the best ways to keep acne under control is to maintain your skin's health as much as possible. This means keeping the skin clean and protecting it from damage from sunshine and harsh cosmetics.

Cleansing Your Skin

Wash your face twice a day with a gentle soap or special acne skin cleanser, using a gentle, circular motion of the fingertips. Do not scrub, since this can aggravate acne. Moisten the face with warm water, then apply cleanser from the hairline to the neck. Rinse with lots of water and pat dry with a soft towel.

Those with especially oily skin may need to use an astringent, but it must be alcohol-free, and used with care. Apply it only to the oiliest parts of the face and discontinue use immediately if your skin becomes irritated.

If you feel you need an astringent, you may need to see a dermatologist instead.

Hair care is also important — shampoo twice a week to as often as daily, keeping the shampoo away from your face as much as possible.

Protect Your Skin From The Sun

A suntan may dry your skin, making the acne less noticeable, but this is only temporary. As your skin becomes accustomed to sun exposure, the acne will flare up again. Meanwhile you are risking skin damage that can cause premature aging and skin cancer.

Many medications that treat acne cause the skin to become more sensitive to sunlight and more vulnerable to burning. Whatever the weather, you should wear sunscreen on your face and any other exposed skin when outdoors.

Choose Makeup With Care

The best choice for good acne skin care is to wear no makeup at all. But if you feel you must wear makeup, choose products labeled noncomedogenic — that means they will not clog your pores.

Be aware that these products may still cause acne in some people. Above all, avoid makeup with an oil base. Read the labels carefully and use sparingly.

Shaving

Try both electric razors and safety razors to see which causes the least irritation to skin blemishes. Always use a sharp blade in a safety razor — change the blade every 2 or 3 shaves. You may have to shave around blemishes to avoid cutting them. Be sure to soften the beard as much as possible with warm water and shaving cream before starting.

If your skin is covered with blemishes, perhaps it is best to skip shaving that day.

No Touching

As tempting as it may be to squeeze pimples, don't! That invites more trouble by spreading the bacteria which cause pimples. It can also lead to permanent scarring.

Try to avoid touching your face as much as possible because the hands carry dirt, oil and germs.

Rest assured that acne can be brought under control. Medications will go a long way toward clearing your skin of acne. Your job is to help the healing process along as much as possible by taking good care of your skin.


 

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Products For Cleaning Your Contacts

No matter what type of contacts you have, you'll need to clean them on a regular basis. Normally, you should clean them at night when you take them out. If you have night and day contact lenses, you'll need to take them out on a regular basis and clean them. There are a few products you can use to clean your contacts, which we will look at below.

1. Saline
Saline is a common product for rinsing contacts, most used for storing and rinsing your lenses. When you take your contacts out at night, you'll normally put them in saline solution. Even though it is perfect for storing and rinsing your contacts, it should never be used to clean or disinfect them.

2. Daily cleaner solution
Daily cleaner is used to clean your contacts. Simply place a few drops of the cleaner in the center of your hand and then rub the lens gently in the solution. You should rub the contact around for about 30 seconds, ensuring that you clean both sides. When you need to rinse and disinfect them, simply use other products that are designed for that purpose.

3. Multipurpose solution
This is about the best type of solution you can get for your contacts, as it cleans, rinses, disinfects, and stores your lenses. You can do everything with this type of solution, including soaking your lenses at night. Once you have finished cleaning your contacts, simply rinse them with this same solution and they will be ready to wear. With multipurpose solution, you won't need any other products.

4. Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a solution that cleans, disinfects, stores, and rinses your contacts. You don't need to rub your contacts in the solution, simply allow them a few minutes to soak. Hydrogen peroxide is a no rub solution, and contains chemicals that doesn't burn your eyes. Before you put the contact lenses into your eyes, you should always rinse them with another produce first.

5. Cleaning and disinfecting
As the names imply, this is for both disinfecting and cleaning your contacts. Cleaning is normally achieved by either ultrasonic waves or agitation, where the disinfecting is done by multipurpose solution or UV light. The instructions for the brand you selected will be on the bottle, and you should always follow them to avoid damage to your eyes or your contacts.

6. Protein removers
These products come in the form of liquid, and remove the protein from your contact lenses on a daily basis. They can be used with multipurpose solution as well, as they will get all of the protein buildup off your contacts. To use daily protein remover products, simply add your normal solution to your case, then add a drop or two of the remover to your solution and put your contacts in.

There are other products you can use with your contacts, although the above are the most common and the most popular. You can find these products in your local department store, at great prices as well. If you wear contacts – you should never be without your cleaning supplies.


 

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Scalp Acne Problems – A How-To Guide

Scalp acne, the mildest form of which is also known as scalp folliculitis, occurs more frequently than most people realize. Just about everyone knows what acne is and that it commonly breaks out on the face, chest, arms and on the back. But acne also appears on other parts of the body as well, and unless you're someone with acne in one of these 'other' areas, you may not have realized this.

Scalp acne and those similar to it, are often triggered during periods of great stress. This irritating scalp condition usually develops when the scalp becomes oilier than usual, for example when the hair isn't washed as frequently or when hair care products that contain a considerable amount of oil are used.

Scalp acne can be very itchy and therefore makes it very difficult for those who have it to leave it alone. In its mildest form, the pustules are small, crusty, and they're sore. They appear mainly on the upper forehead at the hairline. A person can have just a few pustules or there can be many.

A more severe form of scalp acne called acne necrotica miliaris is characterized by inflamed larger papules with black-colored crusts. This form of acne can leave behind scars that resemble those resulting from Chicken Pox.

There is an even more severe form of scalp acne that primarily affects adult African-American men, but can actually affect anybody, regardless of race or sex. This extremely rare condition is a combination of large cysts and smaller pustules and papules that grow to be very large.

Treatment for Scalp Acne

Mild forms of scalp acne can be treated the way most other acne is treated. Keep the affected area clean by using a product that contains salicylic acid. Remember though that these products can cause excessive dryness so use only on affected areas. For better control, apply using a cotton wool or ball.

Since oily hair is a contributing factor to scalp acne, it is imperative to use shampoo that's formulated for oily hair. Hair care products designed specially to treat seborrhea have also been used with reasonable success. And since many people use more than just shampoo on their hair, it's a good idea to check the labels on all hair care products and make changes as necessary.

Never attempt to treat severe forms of scalp acne without consulting a dermatologist or doctor first.

One thing that should not be used to treat scalp acne is any product that contains benzoyl peroxide. That's because when peroxide comes into contact with hair, it can change the color of the hair and result in a 'less-than-desirable' look! Those who have chemically-textured hair (for example those with perms) or color-treated hair are most prone to hair trouble when benzoyl peroxide comes into contact with hair.


 

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Whole House Dehumidifier

If the level of humidity in your home is out of control and you feel you need dehumidification in more than three rooms you should consider purchasing a whole house dehumidifier.

You should also consider buying one if the allergy sufferer in your home has little control over their symptoms.

A whole house dehumidifier, along with decreasing the level of humidity in your home, can decrease the amount of allergens as well. These allergens like to live in a warm environment with a lot of moisture.

This moisture clings to everything, especially your carpet and upholstery. Dust mites love carpet and upholstery and they are probably everywhere because of the carpet and upholstery you have in your home. Housecleaning is a chore that no one likes to do but if you clean frequently you should be able to help keep the allergens under control.

Now, we can't live without our furniture but we can live with hardwood floors or laminate flooring and area rugs. Keeping these things clean can also reduce the amount of dust mites you find in your home. You can't see them but they are there.

Too much humidity in your home can cause you to feel sticky and uncomfortable. It also can cling to your walls and woodwork and cause mold and mildew to form. This happens frequently in your bathroom and should be dealt with immediately. You can kill mold an mildew with a mild bleach solution in a spray bottle.

When choosing a dehumidifier for your home you should first, measure the rooms that the dehumidifier will be handling and make sure that the unit you buy is big enough and powerful enough to control the humidity throughout your house.

The correct square footage matters. That is how the units are sold, by how much square footage they can handle. So, be sure to measure correctly and then multiply the length of the room by the width of the room and add all the room measurements together then buy the dehumidifier that has a range and that number is at the top of that range.

Do not be confused by all of the smaller portable units. They are only good for single rooms or areas and can be rolled from one room to the other with little effort. A dehumidifier that can control the humidity in your entire house is a bigger unit that is permanently situated near your ductwork system connected to your furnace and air conditioner.

The unit is connected directly into the ductwork so the vents in your house help disperse the drier air to all the rooms in your house. If the dehumidifier runs a while and you notice that things are getting a,little too dry then just reset the dehumidifier to a higher humidity setting.

You will not have to worry about carrying and dumping the water from your whole house dehumidifier either. It will have a drain running from it to the floor drain in the basement, or depending on where it is situated in your basement it could possibly drain to the outside of the house.


 

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The Basics Of Brushing

Brushing and flossing are something we all learn at an early age. The proper way to brush your teeth takes less than 2 minutes, although many people tend to spend much longer, or much less. Most adults tend to spend less than a minute, which isn't enough time to clean your teeth. To get the right amount of time brushing, you should try using a stopwatch while you brush.

When you brush your teeth, you should avoid using pressure but instead use short, gentle strokes. You should focus on hard to reach places, and make sure that you get the areas between your teeth as well. You should also make sure you get eating surfaces as well, along with your upper and lower gums. If you focus on all areas of your mouth, you'll get everything when you brush.

Along with using the proper brushing techniques, you will also need to use the right toothpaste as well. There are a variety of toothpastes available, designed to help you with a variety of different conditions. You can get toothpaste that will prevent toothaches, stop sensitivity, and prevent things such as tartar and gingivitis. Toothpaste is the best way to protect your teeth, therefore you should always ask your dentist what type of toothpaste he recommends for you.

To get the most out of brushing, you'll need to have a good toothbrush. There are many different models to choose from, which can make it extremely difficult to choose one. When you make your choice, you should look for brushes that have soft bristles. Soft bristles are easy on your gums, and they will remove plaque and other debris from your teeth. A small head is also preferred, as it can easily reach hard to get places, such as your back teeth.

You should also remember to replace your brush every couple of months, or when it starts to show signs of wear. If you've had a cold you should replace your toothbrush, simply because the bristles can contain germs that could get you sick all over again. Toothbrushes that show wear should always be replaced, as they can have an impact on your gums. If the bristles start to get worn down, they can tear away at your gums, leading to sensitivity.

To get the most from your brushing, you should always use a bit of common sense and ask your dentist for his recommendations. Brushing your teeth will help keep them healthy, and prevent the buildup of plaque and tartar. Keep in mind that brushing does help your teeth, although you still need to go to your dentist for regular checkups. If you take care of your teeth and brush them on a regular basis – you will keep them free of infections and cavities.


 

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Removing Acne Scars And Medical Insurance

The actions required in removing acne scars can be expensive.

Depending on the severity and amount of scarring, multiple treatments may be needed in order to effectively minimize the lasting effects of acne. The problem that many sufferers face is finding a way to pay for removing acne scars if their medical insurance does not cover the cost of treatment.

Because removing acne scars may be considered, by some insurance providers, as a cosmetic procedure, it may be difficult to get an approval. If you are considering a procedure that will aid in removing acne scars, the best way to learn if your medical insurance covers this type of treatment is to review your policy.

Whether your insurance is provided through your employer or you obtained it directly from an insurance provider, you should have a detailed overview of your coverage. Many providers do not cover the cost of cosmetic treatments and/or surgeries, which are often deemed as cosmetic or plastic surgery. If you still have questions after reviewing your policy, call your insurance agent to inquire about coverage.

If coverage is in question, it may help to have your physician provide a written recommendation to your insurance company. This letter should include the physician's name, contact information and his/her determination and recommendation regarding treatment to help in removing acne scars. Once this letter is submitted to your insurance company, a response should be given within 30 days.
This can either be to the physician directly or to you, but the insurance company will reply with an acceptance or denial.

In the event that you request for medical insurance coverage relating to removing acne scars is denied, there may still be other options. For instance, if your condition warrants laser surgery for removing acne scars, the hospital may offer a payment plan to help cover the cost of the procedure. Many hospitals provide this type of financing to help their patient's afford treatment that would otherwise be unavailable to them due to lack of medical insurance.

In order to be granted a payment plan, you would have to first determine whether or not one is available. This can be found at the hospital's billing office. If payment plans are available, your physician would have to determine a total cost for removing acne scars and provide it to the billing office. Following the procedure, the hospital would issue a bill and, if you are signed up on a payment plan, would give you the opportunity to make low monthly payments.

The information in this article is intended for informational purposes only. It should not be used in place of, or in conjunction with, professional medical advice. Prior to beginning any attempt at removing acne scars, individuals should consult their dermatologist for proper diagnosis and/or treatment.


 

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How To Clean Hard Contacts

Hard, or rigid contacts are comprised of material that is known as PMMA (polymethylmethacrylate). This material is very rigid, and doesn't contain near as much water as soft contacts. With that in mind, taking care of and cleaning hard lenses is very different that cleaning and maintaining soft contact lenses.

Before you purchase a pair of hard or rigid contacts, you should know how to take care of them and how to clean them. Hard contacts differ from soft contacts, as the cleaning process is very different. When you purchase your contacts you should also purchase your cleaning solution. Your cleaner is very important, as you must have it with hard contacts.

The one thing that hard and soft contact lenses have in common, is the fact that you must wash your hands before you handle either of them. You should always wash your hands with soap and water before you handle your hard lenses. Antibacterial soap is the best soap to use, as it will thoroughly clean your hands and it doesn't contain any type of fragrance.

The first thing to do when cleaning your hard contacts is to take the lens out of your eye and put it in the center of your hand. You should have your cleaner out, and ready to use anytime you are looking to clean your lenses. Once you have the lens in the palm of your hand, squirt a couple of cleaning drops into the center of the lens. Now, gently work the solution into the lens, for a minute or so. You should always avoid using pressure, as you could end up tearing the lens.

Once you have finished cleaning your lens, you'll need to rinse it. You can rinse hard contact lenses using lukewarm water. These types of lenses are very sturdy and don't require any special liquid or solution for rinsing. When you have finished cleaning and rinsing your contacts, simply put them back in the case and fill it with the solution that you have for soaking your hard lenses in. The soaking solution will keep your contacts fresh, and clean the protein off of them that can build up from wear.

Hard contact lenses will last you for a long time, providing you take care of them. Most contact lenses will last you longer than soft lenses, without needing to be replaced for months at a time. They are easy to clean as well, providing you know how to clean them. You can find the soaking and cleaning solution at your local department store, with several brands to choose from. If you take care of your hard contact lenses and soak them in solution when you sleep, they will last you for a long time – with no problems or harm to your eyes.


 

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Taking Care Of Sensitive Teeth

As millions of people all around the world know, sensitive teeth can make life in general a nightmare. Sensitive teeth comes with pain and discomfort that can make eating or drinking your favorite foods a painful experience. Although you may suffer from sensitive teeth, you can rest assured that they can be treated.

Normally, this condition presents tooth pain after drinking cold liquid, eating hot or cold foods, or breathing cold air. If the pain becomes too much to bear, you should immediately see your dentist, as the nerve of your tooth could be exposed. Normally, sensitive teeth starts when the gums begin to pull away from the teeth. With the gums being a protective blanket, they cover and protect the teeth's roots. When the gums recede and pull away, the roots have no protection, and therefore they will be exposed.

The exposed root tips contain small tubules that lead directly to the nerves of the teeth. Whenever pressure, hot, or cold elements travel down the tubules, it will trigger the nerves and result in pain. Those who don't have sensitive teeth will have their gums covering the tubules, which prevents these types of things from happening.

The idea here is to stop tooth sensitivity and keep the gums healthy. If you reduce the pressure you use when brushing your teeth, you'll find that your gums will remain healthy. When taught to brush their teeth, most people are instructed to use a lot of force. While this can get the teeth clean, it will also tear at the gums, which can lead to sensitive teeth. If you have sensitive teeth now, you should try using an electric toothbrush such as the Sonicare advanced.

Although you may have sensitive teeth now, there are ways you can help to improve your gums and your teeth. There are several toothpastes out there on the market that contain potassium nitrate, which helps to reduce pain and discomfort associated with sensitivity. Although there are several toothpastes to choose from, Sensodyne is the preferred. It's recommended by dentists as being the best, simply because it affects the nerve of the tooth and stops the pain where it starts.

Mouthwash can also help tooth sensitivity, providing it contains fluoride. You can also ask your dentist which mouthwash he recommends, as there are several to choose from. Scope is a great brand to use, as it offers you plenty of fluoride without any alcohol. Unlike Listerine, Scope won't burn your mouth when you use it. It will leave you with a clean feeling, and get your mouth and teeth completely clean – killing millions of bacteria.

If you start using fluoride toothpaste such as Sensodyne and mouthwash, you'll notice a bit improvement in your teeth and gums. The sensitivity will begin going away, giving you almost immediate relief. When you brush, make sure you brush gently, and avoid using any type of force, as it will always cause your gums to recede again.

In the event that using Sensodyne and fluoride mouthwash doesn't help, you should ask your dentist about other options available to you. Your dentist will know what will help you, so you shouldn't hesitate to ask. Your dentist will know how to eliminate your sensitivity once and for all, and how to prevent it from coming back.


 

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Quiet Dehumidifiers

Dehumidifiers are nice for removing humidity from the air of your home. Reducing the level of humidity will make your home feel cooler and more comfortable in the warmer months of the year and help you save money on cooling costs.

If you need the dehumidifier in your basement then how loud it runs will not bother you too much. But, if you need to run the dehumidifier in the rooms of your home where you spend family time you might want to shop around for quiet dehumidifiers.

If possible, choose a dehumidifier with multiple fan settings. This way you can run the dehumidifier on it's lowest setting and it will be a little quieter than on the higher fan settings. They will use less electricity on these lower settings, too.

Make sure the quiet dehumidifiers you research, and ultimately buy, can be programmed by you to set the level of humidity you want in the rooms of your home. Some even will reset themselves to your pre-programmed settings even after the power goes out. This is an awesome feature. No muss, no fuss.

Portable dehumidifiers can easily be moved from room to room. Just do not try to move them with a full bucket or you will risk spilling the collected moisture.

Rule of thumb is that you want about a 50% humidity level in your home to be comfortable. You can set the dehumidifier to this level and in a couple of days that level should be achieved. Then the dehumidifier should cycle on and off to maintain that level.

Most dehumidifiers made today are equipped with an automatic shut off feature. This is essential if you are going to place your dehumidifier in a room with carpet or another type of flooring that should not get wet. When the collection chamber is full the unit will shut down until it is emptied.

If you have "gone green" you could probably use the water that is collected to water house plants or even your outside garden instead of pouring it down the drain. Use it to help fill up your rain barrel, or wash your car. Use your imagination, I am sure you could think of something to use the "free" water you get from your dehumidifier.

Keep your budget in mind. Dehumidifiers can cost from less than one hundred dollars to several thousand dollars, depending on the brand, model and size of the unit you want or need.

Just make sure that the dehumidifier you choose will handle the correct amount of square footage you need, too. If you move it from room to room the rooms need to be relatively the same amount of square footage to ensure proper dehumidification.

Anyone can get used to some noise in their homes, but if you don't have to then why do it. Constant noise can be annoying to some people and cause an undo amount of stress on them. Buying quiet dehumidifiers will not only decrease the humidity of your home but your stress level as well.


 

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