You want the carpet fibers to stand up as straight as possible, which will make it easier to target the burnt pieces. Use the tweezers to brush the fibers back against the grain, plucking at them a bit to loosen them up. Try to only cut the black or brown burnt part, not the lower, unaffected layer. Go slowly and be patient, as the carpet might be difficult to cut through at first. Continue pulling up the fibers as you cut to make sure you’re not missing any burnt pieces below the top layer.  You can use regular scissors or a smaller, sharper pair with a curved edge, like the kind often used for trimming hangnails. Brush the burnt pieces off to the side and pick them up with a vacuum cleaner or by hand later. Follow the instructions on the bottle and scrub in the spray with a clean rag. Allow it to sit for as long as the bottle specifies. Use a sharp pair of scissors or a razor to snip off some fibers from an inconspicuous area of carpet, such as inside a closet or along a wall. Try to cut the fibers to about the same length as the burnt pieces you just snipped off. Use a toothpick or a small, flat screwdriver to apply a bit of transparent, waterproof fabric glue to the new fibers. Glue them onto the leftover fibers on the burned area and let dry for at least 24 hours. Then, trim the new fibers back down to the original level, if necessary. Look for a waterproof paint as close to the color of your carpet as you can get it. Use a thin brush to dab it over the affected fibers, then let dry for at least 24 hours, or as long as the bottle specifies.

Summary: Loosen up the fibers with a pair of tweezers. Snip off the burnt top layer with a pair of scissors. Spray carpet stain remover on the remaining spot. Cut some fibers from another area if a mark is still noticeable. Glue the new fibers over the burnt spot. Cover the stain with fabric paint if you don’t want to cut more carpet.


If you have negative thoughts in your head, it’s possible you have people around you who are stating the same types of negative messages about you, even close friends and family. As you’re improving your self-esteem, if it’s possible, minimize contact with people you notice are saying negative remarks to you, even if they are close to you or are at work.  Think of negative statements from others as ten-pound weights. If you put on a ten-pound weight for every negative statement, and you are surrounded by people who put you down, eventually it becomes more and more difficult to lift yourself up. Removing yourself from the burden of having to listen and relate to negative people will make you feel lighter because you do not have to bear the weight of their negative comments, their negative judgments towards you, or their unwillingness to treat you with respect. Learning how to be assertive can help increase self-esteem. Assertiveness helps encourage other people to treat you with respect, which will help encourage positive self-esteem. In short, assertiveness stops people’s other bad behaviors from having an effect on you as well as helps you have healthy communications with the people around you. You can utilize a few different techniques to practice assertiveness: ” Instead of saying “You didn’t take out the trash last night,” you can state, “I feel upset when promises are made and they aren’t carried through.” The first statement can be taken as an attack and increase the listener’s defensiveness. The second is sharing your feelings, and letting the person know what he or she did to contribute to those feelings. Consider how the person you are speaking with feels, and be willing to strike an agreement that pleases both of you. For instance, if your friend asks you to drive him to the store, you can say, “I can’t right now; I have a class. But I can drive you afterwards. Would that be okay?” You can certainly say no, and you can stand up for your rights without having to yell, and without having to give in. If you’re having trouble getting your point across, Psychology Tools recommends using a “broken record” approach, where you maintain politeness and a pleasant tone. For example, if your local supermarket sold you a bad piece of meat and will not accept returns, you can always say, “I understand. I would still like a refund.” If after several attempts you don’t see your results, you can always try a statement like this, “If you do not want to issue me a refund, that’s your choice. I can always choose to call the Health Department, though I’d rather not. Which would be easier for the both of us?” It’s your responsibility to let your family and friends, as well as acquaintances, peers, and coworkers, the way you want to be treated. Some behaviors from other people can have a direct impact on your self-esteem if you hear it long enough.  For instance, if you decide you don’t want other people calling you names, you can let them know you don’t like it and you will take action if they do not stop: “I don’t like it when you call me Shorty. It upsets me. I would appreciate it if you would stop.” If this form of verbal abuse does not stop, take action and tell someone with authority that can help you. If you’re at work, file a harassment complaint. If you’re a student, tell your parents, a teacher, or your principal.  If it’s a friend, your friend might not have realized that his or her actions were getting you upset. It’s always worth it to let people know how you feel.

Summary: Surround yourself with positive people. Be more assertive. Use the word “I” instead of “you. Listen and be willing to compromise. Be persistent without getting aggressive. Set personal boundaries.


Because the dentist will want to add extra protection during x-rays, it is important to tell your dentist about being pregnant. They may also want to change your treatment plan, especially if you have any procedures scheduled that aren’t necessary before the baby’s due. As with any doctor, it’s especially important to let them know what you are taking during pregnancy so as avoid any negative interactions that may harm the baby’s development. Make sure you do this before any procedures are undertaken or medications are prescribed. Getting your regular check up at the dentist is very important when you’re pregnant as you are at risk of worsened gingivitis and periodontal disease. When you’re at your checkup, make sure you let your hygienist or dentist know about any changes in your gums since becoming pregnant. It is safe to get most urgent dental procedures such as root canals during pregnancy. They will likely use less anesthesia, but will still want to make you comfortable, so don’t hesitate to tell them if you are uncomfortable during a procedure. Any tooth pain or infection should be handled as soon as possible, because of the risk of bacteria spreading and endangering your pregnancy. Because you don’t want to take any unnecessary risks, avoid cosmetic dental procedures until after the pregnancy. Because risks of elective dental procedures during pregnancy are unknown, they are best avoided. During pregnancy, your mouth is more susceptible to gum disease and inflammation. Root planing and scaling can help treat periodontal disease. This is a procedure done by the dentist and is safe for pregnant women.
Summary: Tell your dentist you’re pregnant. Let your dentist know what medications and prenatal supplements you are taking. Get normal preventative dental care during your pregnancy. Get any urgent dental procedures done. Put off any elective procedures until after the pregnancy. Get treatment for periodontal disease if you have it.