Buy a New Toothbrush

Is your toothbrush medium or hard?

Medium or hard-bristled toothbrushes are actually too abrasive for most of us. Those bristles can wear away the gum line and the tooth beneath it over time – especially if you tend to brush vigorously. The American Dental Association says we should be using soft-bristled brushes.

Most of us hold our toothbrush wrong too. Try using just your thumb and forefinger – that prevents us from applying to much pressure. A slow, circular, massage-like motion is the best brushing technique.

Hot Car Toxins

If you’re getting into a hot car – roll the windows down...

Getting into your car on a summer afternoon can feel like climbing into an oven. Before you crank up that AC – roll the windows down. In most cars, especially older models, the dashboard and seats have got some toxins in there called Benzene. Those Benzene levels go up considerably when they’ve been heated up in the sun.

Even if it’s hot outside, it’s a good idea to let that car and the interior toxins air out for a minute before you turn on the air conditioning with all the windows closed.

Sources: The Science of the Total Environment, Snopes

Dirty Food

Wait! Before you eat that – let’s find out if it’s dirty...

We all know the 5 second rule – but even if you DON’T drop that food it could be filthy. Jim Gorman, of Men’s Health, has a list of the dirtiest food we eat:

• Chickens are filthy. Opt for the free range variety. They have more room to run around and test lower for levels of salmonella than the cooped up variety.

• Oysters. If you slurp them down raw, you could be slurping some E. coli too.

• Eggs. Make sure to check the expiration date and that they are pasteurized.

• Cantaloupe. Avoid melons with dents or bruising – and wash the outside before you cut any dirt on there right into the flesh.

• Peaches. That fuzzy skin holds on to more pesticides than any other fruit. Go organic.

• Scallions. Bugs and bacteria love them. Make sure to buy them refrigerated and wash them REALLY thoroughly.

Dishwasher Danger

For those of us who like to use the dishwasher – here's one more thing to worry about...

Have you heard the news? Dishwashers are trying to kill us! There is new scientific evidence published in the journal Fungal Biology that says a dangerous fungi known as black yeast thrives in the rubber lining of dishwashers. Apparently, black yeast is resistant to hot water and detergent and could be really bad for us. Of the dishwashers they tested, 62% of them had fungi on the rubber in the door.

Unfortunately, the only practical advice the scientists have for us to keep our dishes, cups and silverware free of the dreaded black yeast – is washing by hand.

Thanks for the Interview

Does it really get noticed if you send a thank-you after an interview?

We hear all the time that we should follow up on a job interview with a thank-you note. But does it really make a difference? Yes! CareerBuilder.com surveyed hiring managers – and more than 1 in 5 were LESS likely to hire a qualified candidate who did NOT send a follow-up thank-you note. Most of them said a simple email would even do the trick.

Following up with that note says a lot more than thank you. It shows you’re serious about the position and have good follow-through skills.

Too Nice

The next time you need to negotiate – forget being nice...

Most of us like to be liked – some of us a little too much. According to Carol Frohlinger, author of “Nice Girls Just Don’t Get It,” in order to get ahead, some of us should stop worrying about pleasing others. She says some people just won’t like you, and they have to get over it. As soon as we accept that, we become a bit more seasoned and much better negotiators.

Carol suggests thinking back to a time when you really stood your ground on something and the benefits that came with that. If we do that more often we’ll find a good balance of being liked – and being respected.

Canine Sensation

Is it okay for your dog to ride with its head out the window?

It’s a familiar sight – a dog in the car – head out the window – ears horizontal in the beloved jet stream. Although there’s no real scientific explanation as to why they love it so much, it’s probably just good scents. A dog’s sense of smell and nose are so much more sensitive than ours that they’re likely experience something we’ll never know.

Now the bad news – we probably shouldn’t let them do it. Aside from the obvious danger of getting hit or falling out – they are exposed to tiny, and not so tiny, particles of dirt and debris that can get into their ears, eyes and nose resulting in injury or infection.

Kids Pool Warning

Before you let your kids go in the pool – here's an important warning...

There’s a hidden danger in the bottom of swimming pools your kids NEED to hear about – it’s the drain. Some kids like to play around or sit on the drain at the bottom of a pool and that suction can cause serious injury or entrapment.

It’s important for parents to check the drains and other openings with suction or covers in any pool their kids will be in. Make sure all covers are intact and warn kids to stay away from them.

Rx: Chewing Gum

If you’d like to reduce your risk of heart attack – chew some gum...

 

You’ve probably heard that taking baby aspirin can help ward against heart attack and stroke – and so can chewing gum. Barry A. Franklin, author of “Take a Load off Your Heart,” says chewing sugarless gum containing xylitol helps suppress mouth bacteria and plaque. When those things build up in our mouths, that bacteria can enter the bloodstream through our gums, increasing our risk of clots and other heart attack factors.

PIN Cracking

How hard is it to crack a 4 digit PIN code?

Most of us have a 4 digits PIN, or personal identification number, somewhere in our lives. Banks and phones use them for security. So how hard are they to crack? Not that hard actually. A 4 digit PIN, without repeating a number, has only 24 possibilities. That’s assuming you know which 4 digits are in there.

When choosing a 4 digit PIN, it’s a good idea to repeat one of the digits. That ups the possible combination to 36. If your PIN is one of these, change it, they’re the most popular and first a hacker will try: 1234, 0000, 1111, 5555, 2222, 1212, 1998, 2580, which is the center row and 5683, which spells LOVE.

Cold Condiments

Do you keep your ketchup OUT of the fridge?

If you’d rather not put cold ketchup on that hot dog, go ahead and keep that bottle on a shelf OUT of the refrigerator. Ketchup will be fine in the cabinet or pantry for about a month after it’s been opened. The same goes for mustard and barbeque sauce. For jars that won’t be used up in a month – you’re better of keeping them in the fridge. Once you open that jar of salsa – you should really use that up within a week.

Addicted to Salt

Is it possible to be addicted to salt? Yes!

A lot of us are addicted to salt and don’t even know it. Sure, it makes our food taste better – but it also has the same effect on the brain as nicotine and cocaine, according to Heather K. Jones, author of “The Salt Solution.” Heather says we can detox from salt in about a week by avoiding processed foods and replacing salt with other seasonings like pepper, hot sauce and other herbs and spices.

Flushing out the excess salt from our bodies can actually block hunger and cravings, decrease fat storage and even unleash some extra energy.

Good Insomnia?

Could insomnia actually be good for you?

We’re told over and over how important a good night’s sleep is – but according to Walter A. Brown, professor of psychiatry and human behavior – insomnia is getting a bad rap. He says it’s perfectly normal for many human adults to wake up in the middle of the night. People who do are considered biphasic – and there are some benefits to that. Those who wake in the middle of the night and then go back to sleep usually have at least two cycles of REM sleep which encourages dreaming, self-awareness and well-being. Some biphasic people even welcome the gift of extra time in between their two sleeps. Quiet time in the middle of the night can be a great opportunity for productive contemplation or to get something done.

If you are naturally biphasic, Dr. Brown suggests you go to bed a little earlier to accommodate that awake break you’ll have between your two sleeps tonight.

Professional Primping

If you’d like to make more money – stop primping...

If you spend too much time getting ready for work – you could be earning less. A recent study found women who spent more than 90 minutes on their makeup, hair and outfit, had salaries about 3.4% lower than their less-primped counterparts. Unless you’re a supermodel or an actress – looking too coiffed could be sending a message that you care more about your looks and fashion than your career.

Read My Fingers!

Have you ever really looked at your own fingerprint?

Our fingerprints reveal something about our personality, according to Richard Unger, author of “Lifeprints.” Here’s what they’re saying:

• If your fingerprint has arc shaped arches – you’re probably laid back and have a fairly balanced life.

• If they’ve got tent shaped arches – that’s the rarest pattern. You’re claim to fame is wisdom and patience.

• If the pattern is circular or like a whirlpool – you’re the generous, helpful type that likes to give back.

• If your print has more of a loop shape – you’re sensitive, emotional and put a lot of emphasis on relationships.

To get a good look at your fingerprint – coat a finger with lipstick and roll onto paper.