INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Before you start any whitening treatments, you should see your dentist. They can take x-rays, give you an exam, and treat any dental issues you have. You should also get your teeth cleaned, as whitening treatments will be more effective and even on clean teeth. For instance, you should get cavities filled before whitening your teeth to prevent compounded problems and pain from the bleach. Your dentist will be able to examine your teeth and suggest the best whitening method for your particular case. They can also recommend products or strategies to help you protect your gums while whitening your teeth. The type of discoloration you have will dictate the best treatment.  For instance, your teeth may have extrinsic stains in which the enamel, or outer layer of your teeth, is discolored from eating or drinking dark foods and beverages, like coffee and wine, or from smoking or chewing tobacco. Alternatively, your teeth may have intrinsic stains, in which the interior dentin is discolored from excessive fluoride or certain medications like chlorhexidine, minocycline, or even antihistamines. Your dentist may recommend a treatment done in the dental office, in which case they will take care to protect your gums during the whitening treatment. Usually, the dentist will use a stronger solution to whiten your teeth than is available over-the-counter, and they may use lights or a laser to speed up the process. Otherwise, your dentist can recommend an at-home treatment, such as bleaching trays or whitening strips. Ask for suggestions on which brand to use if they suggest an over-the-counter remedy, and never use a stronger bleaching agent than recommended by your dentist.

SUMMARY: Make an appointment for a dental exam and cleaning. Ask your dentist to recommend a whitening treatment. Follow your dentist’s advice carefully for best results.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: For instance, if you typically access social media on your phone, delete the apps from your phone.  If you tend to use social media on your computer, keep your computer turned off for the duration of your break from social media.  A less extreme alternative is to simply turn off social media notifications on your device of choice so that you are not tempted to look. If you turn off notifications, be sure to turn off email notifications, too. If you find that you’re fitter, happier, and more productive during your social media break, you might want to extend the break to a full-time social media deletion.  In this case, you’ll say goodbye to social media for good.  The process for deleting your account varies with social media platform.  Typically, it’s quick and easy, and requires simply navigating the user menu options to the section dealing with your account (which is usually called “Your Account”).  From there, just click “Delete My Account” (or some similar prompt) and confirm your decision. Remember, if you ever want to hop on a particular social media platform again later, you can, though you’d be starting from scratch. It’s easy to think of taking a break from social media as the exclusion of something.  But instead, consider your time without social media as a liberation from the demands you may have unconsciously placed on yourself to constantly post new content and engage in social media interactions.  Instead of posting on social media, you can now simply focus on enjoying whatever it is you’re doing wherever it is you are. Try keeping a mini journal with you and write in it whenever you notice that your day has been better than it usually is when you are always checking social media. There will probably be a few days where you really miss being on social media.  But after a time – three days, five days, or even a week depending on how connected you are to social media use – you’ll begin to feel the urge to use social media decline.  Stay strong through this rough period and know that it will pass.  There are several ways to avoid temptation and temporary depression.  For instance, you could:  See a movie with friends Catch up on your reading by grabbing a book off the shelf Take up a new hobby like bicycle repair or playing the guitar. On social media, many people post only their best-looking photos and rarely – if ever – posts negative things about their lives.  Once you see past this carefully calculated veneer of perfection, you will begin feeling more alienated from and skeptical of the whole enterprise.  This sense of alienation will make you more willing to take a break from social media. If you do decide that you want to resume using social media at some point, then you might want to take some time to consider your decision. Make a pros and cons list to help you identify your reasons for wanting to resume your social media use.  For example, your pros might include things like “stay up to date about what friends are doing,” “have a place to share my good news and pictures,” and “engage in conversations with friends about interesting news.” However, your cons might include things like “get frustrated by political posts,” “waste time by checking my account too often,” and “worry unnecessarily over things I’ve posted.” Compare your pros and cons to help you decide which option has the greatest benefit and make your decision. You may also want to place some firm limits on yourself if you do resume your social media use. For example, you might set aside two 15 minute time frames per day to engage on social media and stay logged out of your accounts at all other times.

SUMMARY:
Deactivate your account. Delete your account. Reframe the decision to take a break from social media. Distract yourself to get through the hard part. Recognize the contrived nature of social media content. Think before resuming your social media use.