| How to Drink Coffee Without Staining Teeth Posted: 05 Apr 2019 05:00 PM PDT If your teeth are looking a little yellow from coffee stains, you can take steps to have a brighter smile! While slowing down your coffee consumption is always an option, you can also do things to mitigate the effects. Also, make sure you're caring for your teeth properly, as that will keep stains from building up as much. You can also try whitening your teeth at home to deal with the results of drinking too much coffee. EditMinimizing the Effects of the Coffee - Add a splash of milk to your coffee. Half and half or milk can make your coffee tastier, but it can also reduce the stain-causing effects a bit, too. It doesn't take much to benefit from this technique. Just tip a small splash into your coffee.[1]
- Also, the casein in milk helps prevent staining.[2]
- In part, this makes coffee less acidic. Acid can make you more vulnerable to stains. Non-dairy creamers and plant-milk may help make it less acidic, but they don't contain the casein milk does.
- Drink your coffee through a straw. You may already do this with iced coffee, but you should try it with your hot coffee, too. A straw keeps the coffee from getting on your teeth as much, reducing the staining effect. Plus, it keeps it away from your front teeth, where you'll notice the discoloration the most.[3]
- If you're worried about throwing away all those disposable straws, opt for reusable versions in metal or sturdier plastic.
- Rinse your mouth out with water after you drink coffee. Drink some water and swish it around in your mouth for at least 30 seconds. Once you're done swishing, you can swallow the water or spit it out depending on your preferences.[4]
- The water will remove the remnants of the coffee so it can't stick around and stain your teeth more.
- Pop a piece of sugarless gum after drinking coffee to reduce the acid. When you're done with your coffee, reach for the gum. Chew it for at least 20 minutes or so to decrease the amount of acid you have floating around.[5]
- Neutralizing the acid will make you less susceptible to coffee's staining effects.[6]
EditCaring for Your Teeth - Brush your teeth at least twice a day. Brushing won't prevent staining completely, but it will help keep it to a minimum. Make sure you're following your dentist's recommendations for brushing, brushing your teeth at least twice a day. When brushing, set the brush at a 45-degree angle to your gums and try to brush for at least 2 minutes each time. Make sure you're brushing all the surfaces of your teeth.[7]
- Plus, the plaque that builds up on your teeth will show stains more readily than your teeth enamel. Try switching to an electric toothbrush, as it tends to remove more plaque than just regular brushing.[8]
- Avoid brushing too aggressively, as that can wear down your enamel.
- Wait at least 30 minutes to brush after drinking coffee. If you brush too soon, you may be scrubbing the acid into your teeth, making its wearing effect worse.[9]
- Floss once a day to remove plaque. Pull out a length of dental floss that's about long. Wrap a small part of it around your middle finger on 1 hand and the rest around your middle finger on the other hand; wrap more around one finger than the other. Leave enough in between your fingers to floss with, about . Use your index fingers and thumbs to guide the floss into the spaces between your teeth. Rub it back and forth, making sure you don't push it too hard into your gums. Make a "C" shape around the teeth in each direction as you move up and down.[10]
- As the floss gets dirty, pull out some that's clean from the middle finger that's holding the length of thread. Wrap the dirty part around your other finger.
- Flossing helps remove the plaque that will show stains. You can get whitening floss, but it likely won't provide much more benefit than just using regular floss.
- Rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash before or after brushing. This type of mouthwash helps you avoid the buildup of plaque. Because plaque is more likely to show stains, it's a good idea to reduce buildup as much as you can. Try swishing with it twice a day, such as after breakfast and lunch.[11]
- See your dentist for a cleaning every 6 months. Dental cleanings won't remove stains completely on their own. However, they may help keep stains from building up over time. You should see your dentist twice a year for cleanings, which will also help prevent the buildup of plaque on your teeth.[12]
- Talk to your dentist about professional whitening services. The dentist will evaluate your stains and make a recommendation about the best options for your situation. They may recommend products like trays that cover your teeth with whitening solutions for specific periods of time or bleaching solutions that are activated with light.[13]
- You can also try a procedure like dental bonding, which basically covers your tooth in a lighter colored material that's bonded to the tooth with light.
- Veneers are another option, which is essentially a shell that goes in front of your teeth to make them look whiter.[14]
EditWhitening Your Teeth at Home - Try a whitening toothpaste to whiten over time. Whitening toothpastes aren't as effective as other whitening products, but they can help. However, replacing your regular toothpaste with a whitening one is an easy swap.[15]
- Look for ones that use peroxides for whitening rather than abrasives. Abrasive toothpastes can wear down your enamel over time, making your problems worse.
- You can combine these toothpastes with whitening mouthwashes for a stronger effect.
- Apply whitening strips for a more effective whitener. With these products, you peel off the strips and place them over your teeth. Depending on the product, you may leave them on for up to an hour before peeling them off.[16]
- Always read the instructions on the products before applying the strips. Also, read the directions to learn how often you can use them; often, you should only apply them for 5 minutes a day.
- Don't brush your teeth before using the strips, as they'll stick to your teeth better.
- Similar options include whitening mouth trays and gels that you apply to your teeth.
- Spread mashed strawberries on your teeth for a natural solution. Some people have luck using strawberries to whiten their teeth, which have a natural enzyme that may help. Mash a bit up to rub into your teeth and leave it there for at least 5 minutes before you rinse.[17]
- Brush your teeth after using this treatment.
- Don't use this treatment more than once a day.
- Add crunchy fruits and veggies to your diet. Eat produce like apples, carrots, bell peppers, and celery. The hard produce will help remove plaque. Plus, they increase your saliva production, which washes away plaque and bacteria.[18]
- Keep plaque in your mouth to a minimum to help decrease the appearance of stains.
- Use baking soda when brushing for mild abrasion. Either pick a toothpaste with baking soda or add a little to your toothbrush before your toothpaste. Brush as you normally would and then rinse it out.[19]
- Picking a toothpaste with baking soda will taste better. Baking soda is very salty.
- Baking soda is mildly abrasive. It helps to remove stains, but it's not so abrasive that it wears down your enamel.
- Always talk to your dentist, but typically, you can use this technique every time you brush.
- Avoid trying to mix your own hydrogen peroxide whitening liquid at home. You need a very low concentration (3.6%), which is difficult to mix, and using a mouth guard to hold it on could irritate your gums. Instead, buy a whitening gel, which is pre-mixed.[20]
- Skip abrasive DIY whiteners, such as charcoal, as they could remove your enamel.[21]
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| How to Style a Military Jacket Posted: 05 Apr 2019 09:00 AM PDT Military jackets are classic wardrobe pieces that just always seem to be in style. But if you're bored of wearing your military jacket in the same old ways, consider spicing it up a bit. You could add some fun accessories – like an oversized scarf, a cute neckerchief, or a fun cross-body bag. Try rolling up your sleeves, popping your collar, or adding a chunky belt. You might even consider wearing it like a shirt and tucking it into your pants! EditStyling Casual Looks - Layer the jacket over a plaid flannel shirt for a casual combo. In colder months, a great way to go casual with the military jacket is to wear it over a plaid flannel shirt. You can spice up the look with a variety of different plaid colors – reds and greens or even brighter pinks and oranges.[1]
- Try tucking the flannel into your pants for an even more casual streetwear look.
- Wear it over distressed jeans and a graphic tee for a laidback look. This is a classic, casual look. Your military jacket will look great worn open and loose over a graphic tee (or even a plain white t-shirt), paired with distressed jeans.[2]
- Try wearing different colors of t-shirts with the jacket, but keep in mind that more neutral colors will probably work best.
- Roll up the sleeves. A great way to add some flare to your old trusty military jacket is to roll up the sleeves. Roll the sleeves in large, bulky cuffs or smaller, well-defined cuffs that are more meticulous.[3]
- Try pairing this over a colorful undershirt so that color peeks out from underneath the rolled jacket sleeves.
- Wear your military jacket like an oversized shirt. Button or zip your military jacket all the way up and throw it on with a pair of jeans or leggings, just as you would with an oversized blouse or t-shirt. You can wear another shirt underneath, but try not to let it peek out the bottom or top of your military jacket.[4]
- This is a fun, relaxed style that works well when you're on the go!
- Pop the collar. Wear your military jacket open or closed and pop the color for a bit of extra flare. The popped collar is a fun contradiction to the strict adherence to rules that a military uniform is typically associated with.[5]
- This kind of dichotomy can be a fun statement about your own personal style!
EditCreating Dressy Looks - Pair it with a little black dress to create edgy contrast. Layer a hip-length military jacket over a cute little black dress. Avoid longer military jackets for this look, as it works best with a contrast in length – the dress hanging lower than the jacket.
- Try completing the ensemble with a thin brown belt worn at waist-level over the top of the jacket and the dress.
- Wear a tailored military jacket with slacks to work. For a slimmer, more professional look, pair a tailored military jacket with a nice pair of slacks. Wear the jacket over a dressy blouse that is tucked into your slacks.[6]
- This look is great for a business casual look with a little edge that's appropriate to wear to work.
- Tuck your military jacket into your pants. Treat your military jacket like a button-up shirt and tuck it into your pants. For women, try high-waisted pants for an even more outrageous look.[7]
- This might not work if your military jacket is made of material that is very thick. But if your jacket is a bit on the lighter side, it's a fun way to change it up!
- Unbutton the top few buttons and add a cute neckerchief. Keep your military jacket buttoned up all the way excluding the top few buttons. Then tie a small neckerchief around your neck with a cute pattern.[8]
- Alternatively, you could add a large, chunky necklace instead of a neckerchief.
- Pair your military jacket with knee-high boots and a skirt. Another great way to dress up your military jacket style is by wearing it with some tall boots and a cute skirt. Mid-calf or knee-high boots look stylish with a skirt that hits just above the knee and a fitted military jacket.[9]
- Try wearing complimentary colors, like brown boots and a hunter green skirt, with your military jacket.
EditAccessorizing the Military Jacket - Add an oversized scarf. Wear your military jacket hanging open with a large, oversized scarf on top. The different textures (the canvas jacket against a softer woolen or knit scarf) will add a fun contrast to your outfit.[10]
- Let the scarf hang down low. Or try tying the scarf in different patterns.[11]
- Add a chunky high-rise belt. Try switching up your military jacket style by pairing it with a thick belt worn at your true waist. This will break up the traditional form of the military jacket and give it a fun new style![12]
- Use a belt in a complementary color like hunter green, light brown, or even orange.
- Add some dress shoes for a dressier look. Try pairing your military jacket with heels or other dress shoes to class it up a bit. Under the military jacket, you can pair dressier shoes with jeans, slacks, or even tights and a cute dress.[13]
- This is also a fun way to turn your daytime jacket look into a nighttime jacket look. Adding heels (or, for men, nice dress shoes) adds a more formal flare/style.
- Pair it with a dainty handbag or satchel. Try carrying a more petite handbag with your military jacket outfit. This will add a nice contrast to the larger size of your bulky military jacket. Try a small handbag with a long chain shoulder strap or a dainty little bowler bag with no over-the-shoulder straps, just handles.[14]
- Avoid large cross-body bags, as the military jacket is already relatively bulky.
- Throw on a beanie hat for a casual look, or a fedora for a classier look. Hats are a great way to spice up any outfit. If you want to dress your military jacket down, try wearing a beanie hat for a casual, more relaxed look. If you want to class it up a bit, wear a fedora hat with the outfit.
- You can even wear a panama hat to add some edgy contrast to the outfit.
- Add some pins for decorative flare. Try playing on the military tradition a bit by adding your own funky version of military stripes. Add some cute and exciting pins to the breast of your military jacket, or down the sleeve, to give it a little something extra.[15]
- Add colorful pins that really draw attention to the design.
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| How to Make Caramel Sauce Posted: 05 Apr 2019 01:00 AM PDT Have you ever gone for a tasty bowl of vanilla ice cream with caramel sauce, only to discover that your teenager ate the last of the caramel sauce...on a hamburger? Kids will eat anything, but take heart: making your own caramel sauce from scratch is a lot easier—and a lot tastier than you might think. Even better, it takes practically no time at all. All you need is some sugar, butter, and cream to make your own caramel sauce at home! EditIngredients Wet method: - 1 1/4 cup (300 ml) sugar
- 4 oz. (112 g) butter
- 3/4 cup (175 ml) cream, room-temperature or warmed
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) water (wet method only)
Cream based caramel sauce:
Makes approximately 2.5 cups: - 100g unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
- 1 cup cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
EditDry Caramel Preparation - Gather your ingredients. The cream and the butter should be measured out, sitting next to the pan and ready to be added. Making caramel sauce is a fast process; if you are wasting time looking for ingredients when your sugar is burning, you're not going to end up with caramel sauce you'll want to eat.
- Combine the butter and sugar. On medium-low heat, add the butter and sugar to a heavy-bottomed, 2- or 3-quart saucepan.
- Do not stir the sugar and butter as it dissolves. If you need to, swirl the mixture gently to combine the ingredients, but not much. You want the caramelization to start from the bottom and let it work its way up.
- Heat the mixture. Leave the sugar and butter mixture on medium-low for 5 to 8 minutes. Keep an eye on the caramel sauce. Swirl the mixture if necessary to prevent burning, but do not stir.
- If you find that you end up burning some of the sugar before the rest of it is melted, the next time you attempt your caramel sauce, add a half cup of water to the sugar at the beginning of the process. This is called a "wet" caramel sauce. (See below.)
- The wet caramel sauce recipe will help the sugar to cook more evenly, although it will take longer to cook—the water will need to evaporate before the sugar will begin to caramelize.
- Check the color. After 5 to 8 minutes, the mixture should turn a light brown. You should still see small bunches of sugar crystals which have not yet crystallized.
- If sugar crystals start forming on the sides of the pan, use a brush to wipe them back down into the mixture.
- Keep the sauce on medium-low. Continue cooking until the remaining crystals caramelize and bubbles start to form. The color should be deep auburn. This could take two minutes, or it could take another five.
- This is the time to really guard against burning. You don't want to leave the sauce unattended at this point.
- If you're worried about the sauce burning, you can turn the heat down to low. It's better to take a little longer cooking than to hurry the process and burn the caramel.
- Keep resisting the urge to stir. Swirl if you need to, but don't stir yet!
- Remove the pan from the burner. After all the sugar crystals have caramelized, take the pot off the burner, and mix in the cream a little at a time. Now is the time when you can finally use a whisk to stir.
- Mix in the cream in small batches and stir vigorously. The mixture will foam up and grow in volume.
- As you mix in the rest of the cream, the sauce will turn a darker color. The sauce will keep on bubbling as the cream gets incorporated into the sugar and butter.
- Strain the mixture. Pour the caramel into a heat-resistant bowl or jar, through a strainer. Any uncaramelized crystals left will not make it into the final mixture.
- Let the sauce sit to cool to room temperature. Except, of course, the caramel that you put on your ice cream!
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Warm it up before serving.
EditWet Caramel Preparation - Gather your ingredients. The cream and the butter should be measured out, sitting next to the pan and ready to be added. Making caramel sauce is a fast process; if you are wasting time looking for ingredients when your sugar is burning, you're not going to end up with caramel sauce you'll want to eat.
- In a 2- to 3-quart saucepan, combine sugar and water. Turn heat on high and wait for mixture to start boiling, stirring constantly.[1]
- When the mixture comes to a boil, turn the heat down to medium-low, and stop stirring completely.
- Allow mixture to boil undisturbed until it turns a deep amber. It should look like the color of dark beer.
- Remove the sauce from the heat. Mix in the butter into the sauce, then slowly and carefully pour the cream into the caramel, stirring regularly. Careful: the sauce will bubble up furiously![2]
- Scrape the thick parts that settle on the bottom. If lumps develop, put the pan on the heat again, and stir until the lumps dissolve.
- Get it to a nice, viscous consistency. The mixture should be uniform after cooling slightly and stirring.
- Strain into a heat-resistant bowl or jar and wait until caramel sauce is cool enough to serve.
EditCream Based Caramel Sauce - Place the butter into a heavy-based saucepan. Heat gently (low heat).[3]
- Add the sugar and cream. Stir constantly until the sugar dissolves.[4]
- Simmer for 8 to 10 minutes over low heat. Stir constantly; this prevents the sugar from crystallizing.
- Remove once the sauce has just thickened.
- Add the vanilla extract. Stir through.
- Serve. This sauce can be used warm or cold.
- If you need to store, this sauce will keep for up to 7 days if covered and refrigerated.
- Caramel sauce also works great on fruits. Combine grilled peaches or pears with caramel sauce, or pack a little extra caramel into bananas foster.
- If you have no cream, milk will work although the caramel sauce will be much runnier.
- Add 1 tablespoon or so of cocoa powder if you like chocolate. This also decreases the taste of burn if you have slightly burnt it.
- Although the caramel sauce will be runnier when warm, if you find that yours is too thick, add some more cream during the cooking process.
- Caramel sauce, once cooled, makes a great addition to vanilla or chocolate ice cream.
- Dip or spread the caramel sauce on apples. Decorate them, and let them cool in the fridge for candied apples.
- Whisk in a touch (about half a tablespoon) of vanilla after the cream for flavor. You could also add flavoring oils for variety. Raspberry, lemon, and orange, for example, are tasty in the right recipe.
- Occasionally, if your cream is very cold, it will cause the caramelized sugar to seize up. To prevent this, you may wish to heat the cream up beforehand.
- Wait until all of the sugar is melted, then add the butter straight away.[5] Alternatively, let it brown just 10-15 seconds after all sugar has melted to intensify the flavor.
- Be extra careful whilst you are cooking the sugar: once the sugar has melted, it has a much higher temperature than boiling water—and it's very sticky.
- Be sure to pour the hot caramel sauce into a thick Pyrex glass or jar. Do not use a normal glass jar or one that has not been made for temperature changes, as the high temperature of the caramel sauce would likely crack it.
- Use pot holders when handling the jar filled with hot caramel sauce, as it will burn you.
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