There are some conditions and other symptoms that signal the need to visit a dentist. Some of these signs include:  Your teeth are sensitive to hot or cold. Your gums are puffy and/or they bleed when you brush or floss. You have gum recession or loose teeth. You have fillings, crowns, dental implants, dentures, etc. You have persistent bad breath or bad taste in your mouth. You have pain or swelling in your mouth, face or neck. You have difficulty chewing or swallowing. You have a family history of gum disease or tooth decay. Your mouth is often dry, even if you regularly drink water. Your jaw sometimes pops or is painful when opening and closing, chewing or when you first wake up; you have an uneven bite. You have a spot or sore that doesn’t look or feel right in your mouth and it isn’t going away. You don’t like the way your smile or teeth look. Visit your dentist for a professional cleaning and checkup. At your checkup, the dentist or hygienist will ask about your recent medical history, examine your mouth and decide whether or not you need x-rays.  Let your dentist know about any tooth or gum sensitivity such as cracked teeth or swelling, redness or bleeding in the gums. It is important to let your dentist know about changes in your overall health since many medical conditions can affect your oral health too. Depending on your treatment plan, the hygienist may use a special dental instruments to check your gums for gum disease. Your dentist can help you find the right whitening product or procedure to help you get a brighter smile. Whiteners may not correct all types of discoloration, especially if you have brown or gray hued teeth. If you have had bonding or tooth-colored fillings placed in your front teeth, the whitener will not affect the color of these materials, and they will stand out in your newly whitened smile. You may want to investigate other options, like porcelain veneers or dental bonding. Some other ways to get a whiter smile are:  In-office bleaching is a dental procedure in which dentist applies either a protective gel to your gums or a rubber shield to protect the oral soft tissues, which is followed by a bleaching agent. This procedure can be done in one visit to the dentist’s office. At-home bleaching with products containing hydrogen peroxide is useful for some people. There may be potential side effects, such as increased sensitivity or gum irritation, so speak with your dentist before using any whitening products. Whitening toothpastes help remove surface stains and reduce discoloration over the long term with a proper oral care routine. A dental x-ray can help your dentist detect any signs of damage or disease in your teeth that may not be visible during a regular check-up, which may be the cause of teeth discoloration. If you frequently experience toothaches or bleeding gums, an x-ray can help your dentist understand the cause better.  If you are a new patient, your dentist may recommend getting an x-ray to determine the current status of your oral health. A new set of x-rays may be needed to help your dentist detect any cavities, analyze your gum health or evaluate the growth and development of your teeth. Tell your dentist if you are pregnant to use a special apron that protects you and your child from any radiation exposure.

Summary: Look for signs that you should see a dentist. Schedule a professional dental cleaning check-up. Ask your dentist about teeth whitening options. Get a dental x-ray.


Pour 1 cup (250 mL) dried lentils out on a kitchen towel, plate, cutting board, or other clean surface. Pick through the lentils, sorting out any rocks, bits of soil, or other debris as you run across them. Also discard any lentils that appear to be damaged.  While reputable sellers do have a sorting process of their own, it is possible that their machines can miss the occasional rock or bad lentil. As such, it is recommended that you sort through the lentils by hand before making them. Note that green, brown, and French lentils work best if you plan to prepare and serve them on their own. Red, orange, and yellow lentils tend to get mushy when cooked, and are better when prepared for sauces, stews, and soups. Place the lentils in a colander and rinse them under cool water for 30 seconds or so. Turn off the water and gently shake the colander to encourage excess water to drip out.  A strainer, sifter, or other fine-mesh utensil can also be used in place of a colander. Simply make sure that the tool you use has small enough holes to prevent the lentils from falling through. Do not soak the lentils. Most dried beans and other dried legumes need to be soaked for a period of time in order to soften them and remove some of the compounds known to cause digestive upset. Lentils, however, will become mushy if allowed to soak in the same way dried beans might soak, so pre-soaking them is not recommended.

Summary: Sort through the lentils. Wash the lentils.


Spend some time looking at different Etsy sellers, especially successful ones, to find your niche in the market. Think about how your artwork can stand out from the crowd. Consider how your work is different and how you can bring a unique perspective to what is already selling on Etsy. For example, you may use the Etsy search bar to look up sellers who are making artwork that is similar to yours. You may notice what types of artwork they sell as well as their price points and their type of clientele. Consider the age group and demographic you want to sell to. Are you trying to make artwork for a younger audience, such as children? Do you want to make artwork for an older audience, such as individuals looking for artwork for their homes or offices? Think about how you can appeal to a specific customer or niche on Etsy. For example, you may try doing animal portraits in cross stitch, rather than paint animal portraits, as these are already popular on Etsy. Or you may create custom abstract art for interiors in interesting materials like spray paint and fabric to stand out. For your artwork to be sold on Etsy, it must be handmade and/or designed by you. If you have a design partner, you must disclose this on your shop. You will also need to disclose every person involved in the making of the item.  You cannot resell items that were not handmade or designed by you. You must be honest and forthcoming in your descriptions of items and in the information you provide about your shop. Appeal to a variety of shoppers by carrying artwork that ranges in price. Try to have artwork that is on the more affordable side and on the more expensive side. Giving variety can open up your shop to a wide range of buyers and encourage your customers return to buy more.  Etsy finds that items $50 USD and under tend to be the most popular. You may use $50 USD as your base price and price your items up or down from there. For example, you may have several pieces that are in the $50-$100 USD range or in the $0-$50 USD range. You may then offer a few larger or more detailed pieces in the $100-$200 USD range. Do not be afraid to offer artwork that is more expensive, as some art buyers are drawn to more expensive work that is original and one of a kind.
Summary: Look at what your competitors are selling and making. Pick artwork that is unique and appealing to a specific customer. Make sure your artwork meets Etsy standards. Have artwork at different price points.