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If there’s one cosmetic feature that most people crave, it’s that pearly white smile. Blemishes can be covered in five minutes and dry skin can be moisturized in one, but fixing discolored teeth usually takes a little longer.

As such, it’s important to make sure you give your pearly whites a fighting chance!

I’m sure you’ve all heard of the usual suspects that cause sugar to build up and can quickly diminish that whiteness. Rather than focusing on those, this article will run down some of the foods that you may not have considered, that can have similar effects.

Firstly, how do I eradicate discolored teeth?

Besides the obvious ‘brush more,’ there are several things you can try. On the more expensive side of things you have dentist surgery, which can permanently keep those chops of yours white. You can enquire with your dentist about this - results are generally solid and side effects are minimal.

Elsewhere, there are over-the-counter methods like whitening strips and gels. You could learn more about the best teeth whitening strips, and brush up on your gels, before you make a decision. On to the food!

Berries

And that’s all kinds of berries too - blueberries, raspberries, strawberries. They’re extremely good for your insides, being packed full of antioxidants and all. But for your teeth… eh. They’re more likely to cause unsightly stains than anything else, so eat in moderation.

Ice

Not that you’ll be scoffing ice on a regular basis, but still, if you want an extremely cool drink this summer, beware! We all have a tendency to chew and grind down those ice cubes, and this can wear down the teeth and make those smiles less than perfect. Let the ice melt or better yet… don’t chew it!

Sports drinks

They’re deceptively healthy, claiming to enhance your performance and make you faster. However, these drinks are absolutely packed full of sugar, and that’s their secret. They may in fact give you that quick burst of energy, but it’ll be at the expense of your oral health.

Bread

Bread is packed full of starchy carbs, and it’s these carbs that are the culprit here. Besides getting stuck in between your teeth, starches in contact with plaque can create acids that attack your teeth.

Medicines

Does this count as a food? Sort of. You certainly drink calpol like it’s a foodstuff, and that’s the basis we’re going on here. The problem with medicines like these is that they dry out your mouth, and that’s the source of the problem.

Having a mouth that’s too dry can lead to a condition called fluorosis, which leaves white spots on the teeth. These are very hard to remove, so stay hydrated and avoid unnecessary drugs.

Pickles

Pickles are usually… well… pickled, before you consume them. The process of pickling involves dunking the food in question into a vat of vinegar. This vinegar contains a lot of acid, and this acid can move on to damage your chops.

Pickles can wear down the enamel and make your teeth just a little less shiny. Avoid where possible!

by Iconic Chica Contributors

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4 Steps to Finding the Perfect Skincare

6/17/2016

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Looking after your skin is essential. It is your body's largest organ, and failing to care for it can lead to lots of problems. Some skincare involves precautions such as being careful in the sun. However, there are also many products that can help to keep your skin healthier. The difficulty is in deciding which ones are right for you. Everyone's skin is different, so choose products that work for your skin can be hard. If you've never had a proper skincare routine before, you might be unsure about where to start.

You can find a skincare routine that works for using the advice below.

Be Aware of Your Sensitivities

The first thing you need to do is be aware of what your skin reacts to. You might be about to try lots of new products, but you will have used some skincare products before. If you know you're sensitive to some things, you can do your best to avoid them. It helps if you are able to identify a common ingredient in the products that might make your skin bad. Even if you're not aware of anything, keep an eye on potential reactions to anything new you try. Don't start using several new products at once, or it will be hard to tell which one your skin disagrees with if there's a problem.

Consider How Much Time You Want to Spend on Skincare

Some people are happy to spend an hour in the morning getting their appearance just right, and another hour undoing it in the evening. But other women just aren't like that, and would rather use the time for something else. You should consider how much time and effort you want to put into your skincare. If you want to keep your routine short, you might prefer products that can do several jobs at once. You might like to use an in-shower moisturizer, for example, so you don't have to put on lotion when you get out of the shower.

Think of Your Needs

You should be familiar with your skin and its usual condition. Is it naturally dry or oily, or are you prone to blackheads or acne? It's important to keep these things in mind to help you find the right products. Start with what sort of skin you have and check labels on products. For example, a face wash will say if it's for normal, dry or oily skin.

Explore Your Options

There are so many skincare products out there that it's hard to know where to look. But you can still find that a lot of the products you try aren't right for you. If you want to find things that work, you should be open-minded about what you try. For example, emu oil might sound strange, as it's actually from emus. However, there are several possible benefits to using it on your skin. If you keep reading about what's out there, you can find more to try.

Everyone's skincare routine is different, so don't feel like you have to copy anyone else. Find what works for you to make your skin better than ever.

by Iconic Chica Contributors

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Great Ways To Look Younger Without Going Under The Knife

6/17/2016

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Everyone wants to try and fight the signs of aging. In the end, time always wins. But just because you won’t look as good as you did in your twenties doesn’t mean you still can’t look good. There are men and women around the world that look the part and they are in their mid-fifties! It might not seem like it is possible without the help of surgery, but there are alternatives.

If you want to learn more you should take a look at the following.
You won’t be disappointed!

Moisturize

As you get older, your beauty regime will become more comprehensive. That is because your body won’t naturally replenish the cells like it did in the past. Instead, you will have to give your body the necessary ingredients. That is why moisturizing is so important as it is a great way to take care of your skin. Skin that glows and is tight is a sure sign that you will age with grace. But, it needs water and moisture to stay tight. Moisturizing twice a day will ensure that your skin has everything it needs to stay young. Or, at the least, that is how it will appear!

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Deal With Stress

Ultherapy

Stress is a killer when it comes to aging. Any person that doesn’t deal with stress isn’t going to look young. The reason is that stress manipulates the body into making changes before you are ready. For example, you will start to see bags under your eyes or wrinkles on your face. Sometimes it is just down to age. More often than not it is because you don’t know how to unwind, so it is important that you get the balance right. Every now and again, you will just need time to relax. A massage, for instance, is a great idea. On other occasions you will need to release the energy. In this case, exercise is the best form of stress release, as well as a session between the sheets!

Ultherapy is a cosmetic procedure, yet it doesn't require surgery. As it turns out, it is possible to tighten the skin without having a facelift. Well, that is what the doctors seem to believe. It isn’t as popular as most surgical procedures at the moment. But, it is gaining in popularity each day. The fact that you can be in and out in a matter of hours is very appealing. Plus, the results are more instantaneous than any of the above. In theory, it is like having a facelift without going under the knife.

Stop Smoking

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Both smoking and drinking are bad for you, but cigarettes have up to 40,000 toxins in one drag. That is a large number of harmful toxins that go straight into your body after one cigarette. Depending on how many you smoke, the number could be in the millions. What’s worse, the toxins directly affect your DNA and the makeup of your body. After a while they will start wearing away at your body tissue so that you look older. Giving up isn't easy, which is why you should start by cutting down.

by Iconic Chica Contributors

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Sure-Fire Ways To Take Care Of Your Oral Hygiene

6/15/2016

Your hygiene is very important to you because you don’t want to be that person that stinks! That is why most people wear deodorant and wear nice perfumes. Plus, you want to look your best, so you will moisturize and take care of your skin. You might even attempt to de-stress every now and again to relax and keep calm. The point is that you will do a lot for your health because you know that your health is important. However, when it comes to oral hygiene, you probably lower your standards. It isn’t uncommon for a person to only do the basics where their teeth and mouth is involved. The reasons for it are varied, but the fact is that it is affecting your oral hygiene. Yes, you might look and smell good, but your teeth will suffer. And, almost everyone can spot bad teeth from a mile away.

If you don’t want to be that person, you need to take a look at these tips, pronto.

Brush Twice A Day

Brushing twice a day isn’t an option – it is compulsory. Anyone that wants to maintain their oral hygiene needs to brush at least twice a day to keep on top of the bacteria. The average person will consume a lot of food and drink in a day. When you leave it alone, the food and drink mix with the bacteria in your mouth to form plaque. And, the plaque is what causes tooth decay and oral hygiene issues. Brushing in the morning and at night will reduce the level of plaque in your mouth. A good brushing will prevent the buildup of bacteria, which will keep your teeth glistening. It will also leave your mouth smelling minty fresh. If you want to go one step further, you can brush several times a day. It isn’t necessary, but it will prevent any serious hygiene issues.

And Brush Properly

Yes, there is a right and a wrong way to brush your teeth. If you are a non-believer, take a look at colgate.com. Brushing for a couple of seconds and then rinsing isn’t the right way. Sure, you will feel better for it, but it won’t make a difference to your teeth. You need to brush for at least a minute or two if you want to have any effect. Plaque is stubborn, and it is hard to budge. So, the longer you brush, the more bacteria you will shift. Also, you should remember which part of mouth you have cleaned and which you haven’t. It sounds ridiculous, yet lots of people brush without a pattern. By the time they rinse, there are some areas they haven’t touched with their brush. Always brush for a decent amount of time and have a plan in the back of your head. Also, don’t forget your gums. Your gums are just as important as your teeth.

Flossing And Mouthwash

Limit Soda And Coffe

People with great oral hygiene and a killer smile don’t just rely on a toothbrush. They have a variety of accessories that helps them keep their hygiene in check. The reason for this is that brushing has flaws. Most toothbrushes, no matter how effective, will miss plaque and bacteria in hard to reach places. Obviously, you need to clean these areas even if they are hard to reach, which is why mouthwash and floss are important. First of all, mouthwash will blast away any bacteria that still cover your teeth after brushing. Well, it will if you use a powerful brand. There are plenty of brands that are just cosmetic and only make your breath smell nice. You need something like Listerine to attack the bacteria in your mouth. Then, you should floss in between your teeth. Even mouthwash can’t move food that sticks in the gaps of your teeth. Only a thin piece of material will get into the tiny nooks and crannies.

To start with, soda is terrible for your mouth. It is true that it contains phosphorous, and phosphorous is a vital ingredient for a healthy mouth. But, it contains far too much, and it has a negative effect on your mouth. High levels of phosphorous can reduce the amount of calcium in your body, and that leads to tooth decay and gum disease. Also, soda contains a high amount of sugar. As far as your teeth go, sugar is the devil! Sugar mixes with the bacteria in your mouth to form plaque, which also leads to decay and gum disease. The average person should have no more than 37.5g of added sugars per day – a can of Coke contains 33g. As you can see, soda has almost all of your daily allowance in one can. So, when you drink more than one a day, you are putting your teeth at risk. Coffee also has this effect because they contain a lot of sugar. Both coffee and soda also contribute to the discoloring of your teeth. You can’t look the part if your teeth are a nasty brown color.

Drink Plenty Of Healthy Vitamins

If you can’t drink Coke and coffee, what can you drink? It is a good question because there are drinks that contain lots of healthy vitamins. The most obvious is a glass of milk. Milk contains calcium, and calcium makes bone stronger and healthier. Teeth, of course, are made of bone, so they benefit from milk. To be honest, you can drink or eat pretty much any dairy product for a shot of calcium. So, don’t dismiss yogurt or cheese as an unhealthy option. Other than getting your vitamins naturally, you can pop a pill. Pills and supplements are a great way to boost your natural deficiencies if you don’t get enough from your diet. A handful of supplements will boost everything from Vitamin A, B, C and D to iron and zinc. All of these are important for a healthy body and a healthy mouth.

Have ever seen a picture of what tobacco can do to your mouth? If you haven’t, you want to take it as gospel that it isn’t nice. For starters, the discoloring of teeth by ingesting too much tobacco is gross. You will have seen people with yellow teeth before, and that is due to smoking. The tobacco stains the teeth, and the stain is almost impossible to clear. So, unless you want yellow teeth, you need to cut back. But, smoking has worse effects. A cigarette is full of chemicals, and they get into the fabric of your mouth. Once they are

Avoid Tobacco

inside, the chemicals will start to affect the gums and destroy any tissue they come across. As the gums are the foundation of your oral hygiene, they are destroying your teeth. If they don’t fall out, they will look terrible. The worst case scenario always seems like it will never happen, but it could if you continue to smoke heavily.

Go To The Dentist

The best tip for maintaining your hygiene is to visit the dentist. Your dentist has years of medical training and experience at their disposal. As a result, they can give you advice or medical treatment to help maintain healthy teeth and gums. It doesn’t matter whether you need a scale and polish or a root canal because they have the answers. The key is to visit them more often. Everyone goes every now and again, but you need regular visits. With a regular appointment, you can limit any damage before it escalates. When you go once in a blue moon, you don’t have as many options. The problem is that you might not have the time. Most people don’t as they have busy lives. Either make more time or take a look at CarefreeDental.com. Sites like Carefree Dental have a lot of information that you can use if you are unsure. All you have to do is read a blog post and digest the information. If you feel you can relate, call your dentist straight away.

Notice The Problems

Look At The Bigger Picture

Your body is a wonderful thing, and it will alert you to any dental problems. For the most part, you will suffer from toothache or jaw pain. When you do, you need to book an appointment with your dentist. It isn’t a coincidence that you are having trouble with your mouth. It is a sign that you are in trouble and need help. Of course, you can see if it subsides. But, just because it goes away doesn’t mean the problem doesn’t exist. It just means that you don't feel the pain as strongly. While you leave it alone, it will work away under the surface and cause more damage. A dentist can only do so much – you have to do the rest.

The human body is an intricate network or nerve endings and muscle tissue. And, because everything connects, one issue can lead to a domino effect. With that in mind, you need to take your overall health seriously too. If your general well-being isn’t good, your oral hygiene will follow suit. So, as long as you take care of your body, you will take care of your teeth and gums.

With these tips, you won’t have to worry about your oral hygiene again.

by Iconic Chica Contributors

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Three Skills All Career Girls Will Use For The Rest Of Their Lives

6/15/2016

What makes a successful career girl stand out from the crowd today? Gone are the days when an excellent telephone voice were all that matter- thank goodness for that! Today it is all about skills and tools you can offer to people. Whether that is potential employers, clients or colleagues, having certain skills will not just stand you in good stead today. It will help you for the rest of your life. So, what are these skills?

Here are three that you need to learn today, to benefit from in all of your tomorrows.

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1. Speaking a second language

No employer or client will ever not be impressed if you can mention that you are bilingual. The only thing better? Being multilingual! Having a second, third or even fourth language is such a fantastic skill to have in the workplace. When applying for jobs, it could be the thing that sets you apart from the competition and secures you the role. Once inside work, it could be the thing that gets you pegged for a promotion. Speaking another language will also make a huge difference if you have ambitions to work for your company at a foreign office! If English isn’t your first language, it may be wise to master this to perfection as your second language. After all, it is widely spoken across the globe and understood by many. Courses like the ones offered by the Effortless English Club focus on speaking the language like a native, which is always going to handy.

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2. Top organizational skills

Being poorly organized and a career girl is simply a nightmare waiting to happen. If you don’t have top organizational skills already, you really need to improve upon this. Not doing so could mean all sorts. You might accidentally be late for meetings with important clients. This will set a bad first impression and could lose you a great opportunity. Figure out where you are lacking and then research ways to improve your levels of organization.

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3. Being confident at public speaking

Don’t think that because your job doesn’t involve public speaking that this skill isn’t necessary. The things you learn will be transferable to all sorts of different areas of your life. You will be more confident on the phone, in leading meetings- in complaining about a hair in your food at a restaurant! Plus, you can never know exactly where your career will take you. Public speaking could be a part of your future career. Preparing for that eventuality now stands you in good stead. There are a number of places and ways in which you can learn confident public speaking, or build up the skills you already have. Have to do it in your current job? Then pitch to your employer the idea that they send you on the course! Explain the benefits, and offer to do a mini training session for other staff upon your return. That way you don’t have to spend your own money on the course, and you are showing initiative to your employers.

by Iconic Chica Contributors

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Stress Relief Strategies that Work for Teens

6/14/2016