Beautiful Day

It is a very beautiful Firday in Palm Beach County.  The sun is out and it is in the 90's today.  It does not look like any rain in the air either.  I spent the day helping my parents clean up their house.  I am exhausted now.  I wanted to go to the beach and perhaps do some homework.  It honestly does not look like that is going to happen.  I was going to go to dinner tonight but the way things are looking at the moment I think a shower and a nap is looking much more promising.  Not sure what you guys are going to do, but whatever you do, be safe and have fun.

Flipped Class

What do I like about the flipped classroom.  I love that I can go home and do what I need to do, then in class I am able to ask the questions.  We the students are able to compare thoughts at the same time and gain a better understanding of the materiel that was assigned for the week.  When we had questions we can ask each other.  Another good thing that we were able to do is blog and research data on our blog page, and get input from our classmates.  Flipped classroom gave us more time to do work in class if we did not have enough time to get it done during the week at home.  It also gave us more hands on from Professor Hamon.  He showed us so many new things and utilized many different techniques, he used modern technology, but did not reinvent the wheel.  He used resources that are already on the web and technology that is here such as google drive, google spaces, google docs, and showed us how to use them.  I love this flipped concept.

Blogging

I have really enjoyed this class this term.  I continue to learn new things from Dr. Hamon.  I am happy that I was able to get him again for a second quarter.  I met many new people in this class, and was even able to glimpse into the other English class.  I have gotten closer to my classmates without even having to open my mouth but through discussions.  This experience has been pretty amazing and I will continue to blog.

Doc 3

I think my paper is finally ready.  I think I have enough opinion backed up with evidence to prove my case.  I know my message will not convince everyone to change their minds about not whitening their teeth because, people are going to do what they want to do, but at least everyone will be informed before that make that decision and some people will decide not to do it.  I know very few of the naturalist who are all organic and refuse to put poison into their bodies will not whiten their teeth.  A few others who was considering it will think twice and a few more will not do it at all.  If I get 3 people to listen and not do it, then I feel my paper is a success.  Yes bleaching looks good but it is not good for you.

Statistics

I am actually taking statistics now so I have a new understanding of the subject matter.  I found out all kinds of interesting things.  Like for instance politicians how the skew data to make it appear any way they want it to look.  How they say they have reduced X% of the unemployment or reduced taxes, or reduced inflation.  They show charts that skew the data.  It looks good on paper however it is not a true representation.  Or they say that our country's GDP is one thing but they do not use Real GDP figures.  Or people use surveys and the sample is not a good samples of the population.  The size is not big enough, or they have one gender, or age group representing a large population of ages outside of that specific sample age group.  Plus things have to be scientific and go through a double blind study.  If the data can not be reproduced then it is not sound.  Many of the stuff we purchase is representative of an independent study, which really means that some company paid some lab to produce the results that they want.  My recommendation is do not believe anything that says independent studies and be cautious what and expert witness has to say.  There are many variables to everything, and all things should be considered when making decisions.

 

Knee Surgery

Yesterday I was very excited to have surgery.  I injured myself in the navy in 2006 and never got it repaired.  It was something I have been needing for a couple years and I kept putting it off until I could not run anymore.  I knew that I was damaging me knee more and more but I kept running on it.  Then it was bone on bone and I wound up hurting the good knee by running and favoring the bad one.  I was scheduled to have surgery on my right leg two weeks ago and it was rescheduled by the surgeon.  So yesterday I was thrilled to have the procedure.  What I did not expect was that the anesthesia would wear off right around 2 am.  Oh my God... I was in so much pain, and still am.  I am a big guy but today I feel like being a big baby.  I feel like someone just beat me up.

By 1995, a survey of 8,143 dentists reported that 91% provided vital tooth bleaching in their dental practices (11). Seventy-nine percent of these dentists reported success with tooth whitening. Among the side effects reported by the respondents were the following: 62.2% noted tooth sensitivity 10.7% of the time; 45.9% reported soft tissue irritation 5.6% of the time, 2.1% noted systemic effects 0.2% of the time, and 18.8% reported no side effects.

Today scientists suggest they add five Percent potassium nitrate (KNO3) as a desensitizer and have the patient use a desensitizing toothpaste containing KNO3.  

I suggest the patient also use a flouride rinse or tray treatment during the course of the procedure.  

The article also suggest that recession hypersensitivity is no greater after the procedure than before.  As a clinician I have to totally disagree with this.  From my experience I have seen post bleaching hypersensitivity skyrocket.  Like they say in statistics you can get the data to say whatever you want it to say.  The truth is if you have recession (the roots of your teeth are exposed), and you bleach your teeth, you will get sensitivity. 

Strassler, H. (2006, December 8). Continuing Dental Education. University of Maryland School of Dentistry. Retrieved August 19, 2013, from http://www.dental.umaryland.edu/z_dental_

Teeth Doc #3

Have I changed your minds about bleaching your teeth?  Have I convinced any of you not to do it yet? It is kinda like telling somene to quit smoking because it causes cancer.  Or to tell a pothead to stop smoking cancer because of the amount of carcinogens in marijuana when smoked and they will argue the medicinal benefits of the drug.  I get the same thing in the dental office about white teeth and it is all many people care about forget the side effects, complications, or risks associated with the procedure.  Yes I am going against the grain of my industry but part of my job is oral health education.  If I do not educate my patients with the truth, then what good am I doing you?

Pathos

Pathos is an appeal to emotion, and is a way of convincing an audience of an argument by creating an emotional response.  Here is the best example I can give to Pathos.  This video will make you sad, and guilt you into donating to feed a kid for a year.  It shows hunger  and suffering as well as the difference your contribution can make.

 

Feed 50 Children A Month - YouTube. (n.d.). YouTube. Retrieved August 18, 2013, from    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbGvBcpFt8c

Examples of Ethos, Logos, and Pathos. (n.d.). Retrieved August 17th, 2013, from http://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples/examples-of-ethos-logos-and-pathos.html

Crest Whitening Strips. The real truth.

I have been doing my homework and I went to the Crest web page.  A couple years ago Crest Whitestrips were voted #1 for having the best bang for your bucks.  It is cheaper than going to your dentist and takes less time.  Active ingredient is peroxide.  I found some of their questions on their Q & A interesting:

17. How long will whitening last?

1. The length of time your teeth will stay whiter is influenced by several factors, including how often you drink coffee, tea, dark colas, red wine or smoke. Advanced Vivid & Professional Effects keep your teeth whiter for 12 months. If you are concerned about daily staining, keep your smile look bright and white with 3D White Stain Shield for only 5 minutes a day.

17. Can I wear the strips longer than the instructed wear time to get better whitening results?

1. We recommend following usage instructions for each product. Longer wear time can result in tooth sensitivity and/or gum discomfort.

Staining, all things you eat, chew, smoke, ingest will stain the teeth.  In fact, everything except water.The things mentioned in the first question  (Tea, tobacco, coke, betel nut, red wine, berries, coffee, marijuana, and certain medications like tetracycline) are all things that will leave heavy stain if consumed on a regular basis.  If you are whitening your teeth or not you can maintain white teeth if you simply brushed after consuming these items within 30 min.  After 30 min the stains left become permanent.  What your dentists/hygienist do not all ways tell you.

The second answer is a safe answer.  However you can get sensitivity even if you follow the instructions.  Some people are poor candidates for bleaching (thin enamel, recession, exposed roots, cavities, cracked or chipped teeth, exposed dentin, fluorosis, sensitivity prior to bleaching etc).  Bottom line everyone is different and this is not the magic bullet.  Does it work.  My answer is yes but every whitening product on the market works.  They all work do different degrees and different success rates with or without sensitivity for different people.  Why, because people are different and have different enamel densities.  Fact is overuse of any of these products will lead to sensitivity, sloughing of gum tissue (gingiva), and or weakened enamel making one more susceptible to cavities. 

The choice is yours.  Do you really want to take on this risk?  Are the risks outweighing the benefits of whiter teeth?  I do not think so.  Another point you have to consider is the systemic affects on the body of you ingesting these chemicals and toxins through your mouth.  Is it really worth it?  For me?  Heck no!  Dentistry is however a business, and if you come to me knowing the risks involved, and you do not care, I will proceed to make your teeth as white as you want them.  I will charge you for it, then when you come back in pain, and you will.  I will charge you again to desensitize you teeth, fix your cracks, cavities, or put white fillings or veneers on for you and charge you for that as well.  That crack that could have gotten fixed prior to the bleaching now needs a root canal, possibly a build up and crown as well to stop the pain.  I am going to get rich off of your new problems.  Is it worth it to you?  The choice is still yours.

http://www.3dwhite.com/teeth-whitening/3D-white-faq.aspx

http://voices.yahoo.com/top-10-foods-beverages-stain-teeth-7175380.html

Tooth Whitening

Everyone wants white teeth.  Everyone wants a bright smile but like everything else in life, no pain, no gain.  There are side affects to bleaching and whitening your teeth.  Most people do not know or they find out the hard way.  All of the products you get over the counter has a warning on them that says may cause sensitivity.  The turth is most of them do or will cause sensitivity.  Another truth about whitening is that that process removes or damages your enamel in the process.  The reason for so many product that will whiten your teeth is there are so many uninformed people.  People that demand whiter teeth.  Many people will pay for the whitening treatment over having more urgent required treatments.  They rather deal with the pain and suffer than to have a filling or root canal.  I am a Registered Dental Hygienist and personally I will never whiten my own teeth.  From time to time I will purchase a multi hybrid cleaning tooth paste gel but that is rare (because I can not find the regular gel).  Many will ask the question does this stuff work?  They all work to a degree, what you have to look for is the concentration.  They have things from 1%-40% strengths.  Priced from $5-%$1000 (in office treatments).  The proper treatment is hit and miss and often times you do not get what you pay for or should I say you can get better results in less time and less money but I am not telling how.  My stance is you should not do it.  It is bad for you.  Now after I tell you this and you still decide you want it, then its business... Pay me and I will get your teeth as white as you want them. 

Higher Education

I read an article from yahoo news this morning suggesting that there are degrees that limit your career opportunities.  The citation from the article was taken from the 2012-3013 Department of Labor statistics and a 2013 Georgetown Study called "Hard Times".  The "four degrees that can ruin your career chances", are as follows:  Economics, Political Science and Government, Information Systems, and Architechure.  Economics unemployment rate was 10.4% an alternative was to go into finance instead.  Political Science unemployment rate was 11.1% and suggested criminal justice instead.  Information Systems unemployment rate was 14.7% and suggested computer science as a better alternative.  Architechure unemployment rate was 12/8% and said civil engineer was a better choice.I though it was good information after our doc. 3 assignment.  Here is the link to the article:  http://education.yahoo.net/articles/degrees_with_poor_job_prospects.htm?kid=1O16C 

Today

Today was a very lazy day.  I slept most of the day away.  I think my body finally crashed and I took some much needed rest.  Now I am up doing my homework.  No football for me tonight.  I will catch up online tomorrow to see how my teams fared.  I hope everyone has a safe and fun weekend.

Volunteering

I love to volunteer.  I love making someone other than myself feel good.  I love making people smile but more importnatly, I love to let people know that I care.  About two months ago I decided to get my friends involved in volunteering.  I decided to reach out to my FaceBook circle of frineds.  We did a build with Habitat for Humanity.  I know people like to have fun so I decided to make it a social event (an excuse to get together once a month and catch up).
Since the first even we actually started a web page on FaceBook called, "We Care".  It is open to everyone now, but the cool thing is we are not reinventing the wheel we are helping other nonprofits.  We provide labor and bodies.  We feed the homeless, and help those in need as a group.
If anyone need to volunteer, do community service, or really want to volunteer and meet some really cool people, let me know.  Look for the smiley face log with the puzzle pieces.  They represent the different colors of humanity coming together.  You can be part of that puzzle to show the world that "We Care".

Writing with authority

I have learned that writing with authority backs up your research.  It makes your paper valid.  It is not just your opinion when you put a more professional expert behind your paper/argument.  Writing with authority is a two part equation.  You have to do the research but the second part is citation.  There are many ways to do it but if it is not performed correctly then it is incorrect.  I am glad professor Hamon took time to show me my mistakes.  I feel this will make be a better writer for sure in the future. 

Busy Days

There seems to be so many things to do and never enough time to do it all.  Today it looks like I will need a week to accomplish all the things I need to get done.  I have to go to the courhouse register for a business, look for a new apartment,  give notict to my current apartment in writing stating I plan on moving, study for two exams next week, write three papers, renew my tag for my car before my birthday, renew my Hygiene license and my Assistant license, then contact my friends to do some research for a community service project that I volunteered for.  I am going to be one brain fried person before the day is over.  Time to get a move on.