Q. I recently had my teeth whitened for the first time. I love my results, but I also love having a cup of coffee as a part of my morning routine. How can I maintain my smile without giving up my daily caffeine fix?
A. Teeth whitening is a great way to help brighten your smile by removing the stains from everyday things such as food, drinks, and tobacco. To help improve and maintain the whitening results, it’s best to limit the habits that cause the staining. Coffee is a very complex beverage and has many different ingredients that affect the teeth. It can cause increased sensitivity, dryer mouth, and undesirable stains. It is best to avoid coffee and other dark liquids for 24-48 hours after a treatment, but we absolutely understand the need for a caffeine fix. Ways to help include limiting consumption, drinking through a straw to minimize the amount of time the liquid touches your teeth, and swishing with water after drinking coffee to help neutralize acids and reduce staining. Brushing immediately after drinking coffee, or after 30 minutes, will also help to remove harmful sugars and cavity-causing bacteria.
Q. My mother is an avid gardener and recently had hip replacement surgery. What can I do to support her recovery, so she can get back to enjoying her beloved hobby?
A. Managing hip pain and stiffness after surgery involves a combination of medication, physical therapy, lifestyle modifications, and regular follow-up care. Pain management is a key factor that can be achieved with prescribed pain medications. Common options include acetaminophen, NSAIDs (like ibuprofen), muscle relaxers, topical medications, or stronger pain relievers if necessary. Ice packs can reduce swelling and numb the pain, while heat therapy can help relax muscles and improve blood flow. For a gardener like your mother, it’s important to increase activity levels as tolerated, avoiding high-impact activities that strain the hip. Remind her to follow the recommended physical therapy exercises to improve mobility and strength. These exercises are crucial to prevent stiffness and build muscle around the hip.
Q. My husband is coming home from the hospital in a few days after recovering from a stroke. I want to make sure I support him mentally and physically as he continues to recover at home. What are some things I can do to help him?
A. Caring for someone after a stroke can be a difficult experience both physically and emotionally. Please ask as many questions as you need to educate yourself and prepare to leave the hospital. There are no bad questions! Be helpful but encourage his independence with participation in his daily routine and problem-solving tasks. Break up tasks into steps, and walk him through the process with patience … brain recovery takes time. Set realistic goals that can help build confidence and hope. Accepting help from others is essential to preventing caregiver fatigue but also provides crucial social interaction. It is important to be honest and aware of changes in your husband’s mood as depression and anxiety are common after stroke and can significantly affect recovery. Discuss progress and challenges with your healthcare provider regularly, and finally, remember to stay realistic but maintain optimism and hope!
Q. I’ve dealt with stubborn acne and acne scarring my whole life, and I’m ready to see real change in my skin texture. I have sensitive skin, so I’m concerned that some treatments might irritate my skin even more. What treatment options should I look into?
A. When dealing with active acne and acne scarring, there are innumerable options for treatment. The first step to seeing a change in your skin is to get to the root cause of the acne, which could be dietary, environmental, or simply genetics. A customized skincare regimen and treatment plan is the next step. For instance, when I am treating teens and adults for active acne, I start with a series of chemical peels or enzymes combined with skincare specifically formulated to fight the formation of new acne. Once I get my patient clear of acne, we start focusing on scarring. Laser resurfacing and microneedling are popular treatments for acne scarring. Both are fantastic options for sensitive skin, deep scarring, pigmentation, textural issues, and more!
Q. I’m having trouble communicating with my teenage son. Whenever I try to ask him about his interests or social life, he shuts down, and I’m concerned there might be something wrong. What should I do?
A. Communicating with teenagers can feel challenging. Though you can’t force him to open up, these things might help: Give advance notice. Let your son know you want to connect because you care about him. Get his input on a time and place to have a conversation. Do something active while talking. Try taking a walk or playing catch. This allows both of you to release energy and helps your son feel less on the spot. Stay curious. Don’t be accusatory. Allow him to decide what he shares and validate his experience. Give advice only if he asks for it. He’ll be more willing to share if you don’t go into fix-it mode or expect him to do things your way. Remember, communication is an ongoing process, so it will take time and patience. You might offer to help him find someone else to talk to if he needs that.
