Teaching kids to brush their teeth

Posted on Apr 23, 2014


Kids in general either hate brushing their teeth or they simply couldn’t care less. However, it is important to teach your kids how to brush their teeth to avoid dental and other health problems. With a little patience, creativity, and a handy tool, you should be able to get your kids to brush their teeth in no time.

For preschoolers

It’s relatively easy to teach preschoolers, as long as it’s fun for them and is done through rhythm and rhyme. Let your kids know that there are germs that we can’t see living on their teeth and it’s important to get rid of them. You can even make a song about teeth brushing.

When teaching your kids how to brush their teeth, first show them the proper way to go about it. Once you have demonstrated the up and down, round and round process of brushing teeth, hand your kids their brushes and let them try. Use a safe kids’ step stool to help them reach the sink. Choose one that is self-retracting so that when your kids are done using the sink, the step stool automatically retracts underneath the sink and out of adults’ way. Once they are able to do the whole brushing process themselves, make the event and exciting and joyous one. Clap and cheer for your kids. Tell your other family members how good the kids were and have them cheer for the children as well. Have your kids show other family members how they too can brush their teeth.

Things to do:

• Show your kids how excited you are about brushing, and get even more excited when they brush.

• Make brushing a fun experience.

• Ask them to show you how well they can brush their teeth.

• Make it a point to show other family members how good the kids can brush their teeth.

For Grades K-3rd

Kids this age learn things through presentation and repetition. Offer your kids to watch you as you brush your teeth, explaining things as you go along. Come up with creative analogies: “plaques are invisible bugs that eat away at your teeth. The only way to get rid of them is to brush your teeth.”

Things to do:

• Regularly offer your kids to watch yourself brushing.

• Be consistent with brushing times

• Come up with creative analogies or explanations about brushing teeth

Grades 4th-6th

At this age, there is no better way to effectively teach your kids to brush their teeth than to show them what happens when a person does not brush his/her teeth. Gather pictures of people’s teeth the have serious decay. Or better, get pictures of people with rotten teeth. During your visits to the dentist, teach your kids about proper brushing by asking for pictures of people who do not brush their teeth and explaining to them, “This is what happens to people who do not brush their teeth.”

You can also add that there are health risks when they do not brush their teeth. Some of these include gum diseases such as gingivitis (swollen or inflamed gums), periodontitis, gum infections, bone destruction, and tooth loss. It has even been found that gum disease is a likely risk factor for heart disease and stroke for adults.

Things to do:

• Ask your dentist to share stories, pictures and information of the hazards of not brushing teeth.

by: Dana Mulder

http://www.articlecity.com/articles/family/article_4225.shtml

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North Albuquerque Acres Custom!

Posted on Apr 17, 2014

9000 Oakland Ave NE — $899,900

Stunning one level custom residence on .89 acre lot boasting superb quality;  formal & informal living, theater room, private pool area;  great indoor & outdoor spaces for relaxing & entertaining for the entire family!

9000 Oakland Ave NE

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Los Ranchos de Albuquerque!

Posted on Apr 17, 2014

809 Los Prados De Guadalupe NW — $849,900

Exceptional residence located in sought after Los Prados de Guadalupe subdivision, within minutes to walking & biking trails on the Bosque. Beautifully sited on a 1/3 acre lot; experience class and refinement with sophisticated architectural detail. Highlights include a fabulous chefs kitchen and master  bathroom remodel!

809 Los Prados de Guadalupe

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Five reasons why buying a home is still a good idea

Posted on Apr 16, 2014

%20buying%20a%20home%20is%20still%20a%20good%20ideaYou may be wondering if buying a home is a good idea. Whether you’re thinking about buying, or already have and just need some affirmation, you may find it comforting to know there are still plenty of good reasons for financially stable people to buy a house. Here are a few:
* Homeownership can help make good credit even better. If your credit is in poor shape, you’ll want to monitor it before seeking a mortgage. But if you have good credit, live within your means, and consistently make good financial decisions, a mortgage can be the kind of “good debt” that helps your overall financial health. Making regular payments on a mortgage shows potential lenders that you’re a less risky candidate for a home loan. Before you begin home shopping, it’s a good idea to check your credit. Enrolling in a product like freecreditscore.com can help you better understand and leverage your credit.
* A mortgage can function like an automatic savings plan. By now, you’ve read the news reports about how little we Americans save these days. Well, every year you pay on your fixed-rate mortgage, is a year of building equity, and equity is like money in the bank. When it’s time to sell – whether you’ve stayed in your home seven years or the full 30 year term – you’ll have created equity and should be able to sell your house for more than you owe.
* Homeownership comes with plenty of financial perks, including an income tax credit for property taxes you pay on your home. For detailed information on tax breaks check out IRS.gov. Buying a home also affords you the opportunity to halt your housing costs. Rent will always go up from year to year, but if you have a fixed-rate mortgage (avoid adjustable rates) your biggest annual expense – housing costs – will be locked-in.
* Mortgage interest is a good deal when stacked up against other types of interest that don’t do much for you – such as high credit card interest rates or low rates on savings accounts and CDs. Mortgage rates are low right now, meaning you can pay less over the life of a loan than at practically any other time in recent history. Plus, it’s the only kind of interest that you can deduct from your taxes.
* Prices are still relatively low and inventory is high. It’s been a buyer’s market for a long time, but that’s going to change. The question is: when will the market start to improve in your area, taking home prices with it? You’ll have to do some legwork and astute research to determine when is the best time for you to buy.
If you monitor your credit and are on a sound financial footing, buying a home can still be a good idea. And now is as good a time as any to make your purchase.

Courtesy of BPT

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How to score the perfect internship

Posted on Apr 9, 2014


How%20to%20score%20the%20perfect%20internshipThe growth of a college student from the first year of instruction to the final days as an undergraduate is immeasurable. But what happens in the time between these two milestones? Book reading, paper writing and party going generally make the list, but employers are telling us to add another item – practical on-the-job training. 

 
Internships have become an essential key to compete post-graduation, so make your work count. Start building your company “wish list” early on and you’ll be able to find the right spot to gain true hands-on training, says Jennifer Mleko, director of career services at The Illinois Institute of Art – Schaumburg. 
“You should be identifying potential employers, reading industry publications in your field of interest and building a network of contacts starting the first or second quarter of school,” according to Mleko.

 
Julianne Pelfrey, director of career services at The Art Institute of Ohio – Cincinnati, advises students to start the research process as early as six months prior to the anticipated start date. “You should eye small to mid-sized businesses,” according to Pelfrey. “Internships with smaller companies typically provide more opportunities for junior employees to gain practical experience.

There’s a greater chance for involvement in a project from conception to production with these organizations.”

Both Pelfrey and Mleko caution against limiting options by solely seeking paid internships. Students should focus on job duties, experience gained and opportunity for growth – in your education and your career. No amount of cash flow trumps the chance to vet out potential career paths.

 
But what about the actual application process? How are you to compete with other star students vying for the same role? These simple steps may land you in a recruiter’s office sooner than expected:

 
First is the cover letter. While we would love to think these have become a thing of the past, the introductory notes fill an employer in on what students are hoping to gain from the work stint and which past experiences will serve them best in the desired post. Passion, drive and desire to learn are what managers are yearning to see. 

 
Next step is the resume; Pelfrey says it’s time for students to pull away from traditional business templates and up the ante with personality-driven resumes. “Design should never overcome content, but employers love seeing ingenuity and creativity from their future proteges,” she says. 

 
If you’re light on employment history, bulk up the resume with applicable classroom projects, freelance samples and pro-bono work. And don’t forget to highlight transferable skills. Mleko says, “The purpose of a resume is to emphasize experience by showing variety and a diverse skill set. Whet the recruiter’s appetite by showing what you can bring to the table and tailoring your resume to the job you’re applying for.” 

 
The last piece of the puzzle might be the most important tip for workforce newcomers: professional portfolio. Yours should be stocked full of writing samples, design projects and inspired original pieces. Even works in progress will get hiring managers going, so invest the time in selecting a collection that represents range and competencies.

 
Pelfrey and Mleko stress the importance of having at least one internship under your belt come commencement time, but the more the better. With the “wish list” made, a target in mind and submissions ready to go, students can lock down invaluable internships. Forget making copies, your internship is about making career connections.

Courtesy of BPT

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How to ease arthritis pain

Posted on Mar 26, 2014


How%20to%20ease%20arthritis%20painFor the 50 million American adults currently suffering from arthritis, symptom management is the name of the game. Although it’s the leading cause of disability in the U.S., and the second most frequently reported chronic condition, there are currently no cures for the family of musculoskeletal disorders known as arthritis, according to the Arthritis Foundation. Therefore, arthritis treatment focuses on relieving symptoms and improving joint function.

 
The most common forms of arthritis include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, gout and fibromyalgia.
Traditionally, the common signs and symptoms of arthritis (literally meaning “joint inflammation”) may include joint pain, stiffness, swelling, redness and a decreased range of motion. There are numerous types of arthritis – more than 100 in all – and therefore many treatments, including prescription and over-the-counter medications, physical therapy, lifestyle and home remedies, surgery and alternative medicine. Many arthritis sufferers will benefit from some combination of these options.

 
One of the most commonly used arthritis medications is a category called NSAIDs, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which reduce both pain and inflammation. Popular over-the-counter NSAIDs include naproxen sodium, as well as ibuprofen, both of which are available under a wide variety of retail “store-brand” labels.

 
“Pain and swelling have a serious impact on quality of life for many arthritis patients,” says Dr. John Tower, president and medical director of Arthritis Physicians LLC in Rochester Hills, Mich. “In combination with other therapies, NSAIDs like naproxen sodium and arthritis pain-relieving topical ointments can provide some symptomatic relief, and therefore can be an important part of a patient’s treatment plan.”

 
“For patients prescribed an NSAID by their physician, I would encourage them to purchase store-brand naproxen sodium or ibuprofen sold at leading retailers and pharmacies,” Tower continues. “These products are regulated by the FDA and use the same active ingredients, but cost significantly less than the brand names.”

 
Allegan, Mich.-based Perrigo is the largest manufacturer of over-the-counter medications found under store-brand labels at leading retailers, grocers and pharmacies. Perrigo offers consumers a variety of affordable store-brand NSAID choices, like naproxen sodium in caplet, tablet and liquid gel form, which compare with the active ingredients in brand names.

 
In addition to drugs for combating pain relief and inflammation, many arthritis patients find relief with physical therapy, lifestyle and home remedies and even alternative medicine.

 
“Arthritis patients need to work closely with their primary care physicians or rheumatologist to determine which combination of treatment options is best for them,” says Tower, who has been a practicing board certified rheumatologist for 21 years. “Appropriate management of symptoms can help people with arthritis to decrease pain, improve function and stay productive.”

 
Physical therapy and regular exercise help to keep joints flexible and strengthen muscle surrounding joints, which can result in improved range of motion for arthritis sufferers. Additionally, home remedies, such as hot and cold therapy, may help relieve arthritis pain, while use of assistive devices, such as a cane or walker, can help protect joints and improve a patient’s ability to perform daily tasks.

 
Alternative medicine, such as acupuncture, may offer some promise as a remedy for reducing symptoms of arthritis, but patients should bear in mind that there is still little reliable evidence to support the use of such treatments in managing arthritis.

 
“Arthritis is a complex disorder with many causes and no cure, but there are effective treatments to manage the symptoms,” says Tower. “Symptom management looks different for every patient, so arthritis sufferers should consider all of the options in partnership with their physician.”

Courtesy of BPT

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