The Trick to Getting aWhiter Smile We all want a pearly white sparkling smile — one that almost *dings* when we flash it. Some people will try everything in the pursuit of shiny teeth: LED lights, gels, toothpastes, and extreme diets. They will try all of this for the desire to improve the color of their smile and increase their confidence.
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Teeth whitening actually doesn’t have to be that complex. According to Dr. Jelinek, it can be as easy as sleeping!
Dr. Jelinek explains that Crest Whitestrips work great for about 70% of patients. This simple treatment involves placing a thin plastic strip over the teeth and below the gumline, and then folding the remaining material behind the teeth. Users only have to sit with the strange strips on their teeth for 5–45 minutes, depending on the desired effect and strength of the strip (according to Crest). However, this whitening option isn’t as effective for the remaining 30% of patients. The reason is fairly simple. Crest Whitestrips, and similar products, just don’t offer teeth enough exposure to be effective. Longer- lasting teeth whitening results take time and a strengthened whitening agent (but too much time and strength can damage your teeth). “If you ever keep a tooth dry enough, it will whiten up,” Dr. Jelinek says. “The moment you swallow is when all of the whiteness goes away. What whitening products do is they super-dry the tooth out. However, doing that for a long period of time isn’t good for the tooth or nerves.” Instead, Dr. Jelinek often prescribes a whitening agent that users can spread into a mouth tray. They are then instructed to sleep with that tray in their mouth, allowing the agent a full eight hours to activate and remove stains from teeth (all without damaging the smile by super-drying or applying quick-hit whitening techniques, like LED light kits). Note: Tooth- whitening LED light kits are not very effective due to the time. When you wake up, you’ll have a whiter smile that will last far longer than those produced by strips or lights. If you’d like to learn more about Dr. Jelinek’s tried-and-true (and easy!) whitening option, schedule an appointment by calling 703-584-5996.
We all know how expensive college can be. The bills can pile up fast, and in many cases, paying that debt off can take years, if not decades, especially if private loans are involved. That said, if you have kids who are getting ready to graduate high school, then don’t let the cost of higher education scare you away. If you can’t pay out of pocket, you can help your child apply for loans, but if you’re looking to mitigate debt, or eliminate it entirely, here are some other popular options. GRANTS Grants are similar to scholarships in that they don’t need to be repaid. Many colleges, states, and other organizations award grants based on a number of factors, like academic standing and the income of one or both parents as reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, better known as FAFSA. A great starting point for parents who are helping their kids look for grants is the Federal Student Aid website: StudentAid.gov/understand-aid/ types/grants. WORK-STUDY Depending on your child’s financial need, their college or university may be able to set them up with a part-time position with an hourly rate on campus. Work-study positions are often community service oriented and/or matched with the student’s field of study, and the jobs in these programs may be on or off campus. Alternatively, students can also look for other on-campus jobs that aren’t part of a work-study program. Before the school year starts, many schools post job openings for positions like computer lab assistants or event caterers. PRIVATE SCHOLARSHIPS There is no shortage of private scholarships. The challenge is finding and applying for them. This can take time, but it’s often worth the effort. If you can’t find any scholarships your child is eligible for online, then try using an app like Scholly. It’s designed to help students and parents find and apply for scholarships without having to search all over the internet. Another great resource is your student’s high school guidance counselor. They often have resources about local and regional scholarships that may be worth looking into.
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