Worth

There’s nothing better than spending eternal bliss with someone you love. Sadly, many marriages end in divorce. Some people hold on much longer than they should and only make themselves and others miserable.

Is Your Marriage Worth Saving?

How do you know if your marriage is worth keeping, and has the newlywed bliss worn off and has turned into a bitter battle for survival? Here are some tips to help you decide if your marriage is worth saving.

1. You Still Feel Butterflies When You See Them

Life and marriage are hard. When you bring two people together, the wedded bliss will quickly fade as the cares of life take over. However, you know there is still a fire burning if you feel those butterflies.

When they call you or walk into the room, do you still feel like a teenager melting in their arms? While it takes more than feelings to sustain a relationship, you must have a connection that can withstand life’s trials. If there are still any feelings at all left, then you can rekindle the fire that once burned strong.

2. They’re the One That You Want To Be With

When the world comes crashing down around you, your spouse is still the one you want to be with for the remainder of your natural life. When danger is all around you, you look to them for comfort. If you always find yourself picking up the phone to tell them about your day before you get home, call them on lunch, and text throughout the day, there is still an incredible connection that many people don’t have.

3. You Never Miss an Anniversary or Birthday Celebration

It’s always the little things that make a relationship unique. If you still celebrate all your anniversaries, birthdays, and plan unique gifts and getaways for each other, then it shows there are love and care still there.

Many guys and girls could care less about celebrating those little things like the anniversary of your first kiss. If you find someone who can remember all the small details that are so important, they are worth holding on to.

4. You Miss Each Other

If you were to go away for a weekend with your friends, would you always be thinking about what the other person was doing? Do you find yourself lonely and missing them even though others surround you?

If absence makes the heart grow fonder, and you can’t stand to be apart, then it might be worth saving this marriage.

5. You Don’t Argue or Fight

It’s healthy to disagree and get your opinion across, but if you go to great lengths to protect the other person, then it’s a sign that there’s something beautiful there. It takes a lot of patience and excellent communication to sustain a relationship. Being protective of their feelings, even in the heated moments, shows your love and devotion for them.

6. You’re Great Role Models

The best couples are the ones that can have disagreements about money or other issues, but they never take them out into the open. You make sure that you are always upfront and honest with each other, but you do it behind closed doors. When it comes to your family and children, you never air dirty laundry in front of others.

There’s nothing worse than a couple that fights and argues in front of others, especially your kids. It makes them feel uncomfortable, and they might feel as if they need to choose sides. If you are still great role models though there are issues, you may have something worth working on.

7. You Can’t Stand the Thought of Being Apart

Does it scare you at the thought of your relationship ending? Do you feel like you cannot live one day without them? Wanting to be close to the one you love is essential to make things work.

How does the other person feel about you? Is there devotion to you on the same level as your devotion to them? If the thought of them not being there when you wake up in the morning scares you, then your marriage may be worth saving.

8. The Good Outweighs the Bad

Into everyone’s life, a little rain must fall, but does the sunshine outweigh the storms? Can you look at your marriage and say that the good times have always been way better than the bad?

Sometimes relationships go through so many struggles that it becomes tough to stay together. However, if you can look at all the trials with a smile remembering something good that came out of it, then it’s a sign that you have something worthwhile.

9. You Both 100 Percent Committed

Are you both committed to each other no matter what the troubles you’re facing? Do you know that they’ve got your back, and are your biggest cheerleader? If one of you is in the relationship 100 percent and the other only 50 percent, then it’s hard to make things work.

While things may seem a bit turbulent right now, when you’re both committed to making it better, it makes a big difference.

10. You’re Still Number One

If you called your spouse right now and needed them to drop everything to get to you, would they come? It would help if you were committed for things to work, but you also need to know that they will put their life on hold to help you.

When the chips are down, they are right there when you need them. A love like that surely doesn’t come around very often, and you should invest time and effort into saving your union.

Is it Time to Let Go of the Marriage?

You’ve read all the beautiful reasons why you should keep your marriage healthy, but how do you know when it’s time to move on? Don’t waste the best years of your life loving someone who could never love you the same way.

You deserve to have someone who will love you and be there for your 100 percent. Here are some signs it’s time to let them go.

1. You Argue 24/7

No one likes to live in a war zone. If you’re fighting and yelling every day, then you might want to rethink your union. It’s not healthy to live in a constant state of unrest, and you deserve to have a home filled with peace and love.

2. They’ve Cheated on You

Some people can forgive cheating and move on to have a great life. However, others cannot move past such a massive event. If they’ve cheated once or ten times, can you live with the betrayal?

3. Your Spouse is Not There for You

Do you need to schedule an appointment just to talk to them about the children or the finances? Is there work taking over their life and they have little time for the family? While this person may be trying to make a living and provide for you, it’s hard to have a relationship when the other party is married to their job or socially isolates you from their life.

4. You Can’t Trust Your Spouse Anymore

Do you have a hard time trusting him or her and doubt every word out of their mouth? When you’ve lied to time, and again, it makes it hard to believe. Lying is a horrible habit that can wreck relationships. Your wedded bliss can end abruptly if they lie and are dishonest about things.

5. You Dread Being Around Them

The spark that you once had it gone. There’s no longing for them to come home from work, and there are no more sweet nothings being whispered in your ear when you wake up. The fire that once burned so strong is now nothing more than smoldering coals.

Part of having a relationship is being together. If you find yourself dreading those times of intimacy or even being in the same room, then maybe it’s time to let them go.

Final Thoughts: Should You Stay in the Marriage or End Things?

It’s hard to make decisions about love and relationships. Sometimes people become quite comfortable with a routine and don’t want to change things. Though making changes are never easy, it’s not good to live in a toxic relationship either.

Newlywed bliss only lasts for a short time, and then you must face the real world and everyday life. There are odd work schedules, financial burdens, and cares that come about every day. Life certainly brings with it troubles that can have a dramatic impact on any relationship, but you must cleave to each other no matter what is going on around you.

Maybe you feel like the marriage has sustained so many blows that you can’t possibly go on another day? It would help if you tried counseling and time apart to work on your issues and then issues as a couple. This person shouldn’t make you miserable. Life and circumstances can get you down, but your spouse should be the one thing that you can always count on.

A Picture Worth 1,000 Words: Top 12 Famous Photographers of All Time

In the United States, there are currently about 50,000 professional photographers.

Out of all of these professional photographers, only a select few will be remembered and be famous enough to make it into the history books.

But what photographers have already made it into the history books? There are so many famous photographers, but here are a few that you definitely need to know about. 

1. Gregory Crewdson

Gregory Crewdson is one of the best photographers because he puts so much money into making his photographs. Consider some movies with a million-dollar budget.  Gregory Crewdson would use that same budget to create a single photograph. 

He would set up an entire, large-scale set just to take a photograph or two. With each photograph, they get more and more extravagant. 

One thing that makes Gregory Crewdson unique is that he uses everything available to him in order to get the style of photograph that he wants. Some of his pictures include broken fire hydrants, dilapidated buildings, and old towns. 

He specializes in using a large-format camera in order to get the look and type of photograph that he wants. 

If you get a chance, you need to check these photographs out in person. You can view them online, but they just don’t have the same depth and texture that they do in person. 

You could spend hours looking at these eery photographs and absorbing every detail that’s in the photograph.

2. Robert Frank

Robert Frank isn’t as modern as Gregory Crewdson, but his work is still notable. He was born in 1924, and when he was seventeen years old, he became a photographer for commercials. He worked in Zurich and Geneva.

Six years later, he became a photographer for fashion. While he was doing that, he used a camera that people weren’t using at the time, which was the 35mm Leica. 

Later on in his career, he diversified his portfolio even more and got into photojournalism and street photography. Once he started doing this, he really found his niche and made a name for himself. 

He started traveling around the United States and started photographing some of what would end up being the best pictures in his portfolio. 

His black and white photographs show the day-to-day lives of average Americans. He had a talent for capturing people’s real emotions, which his why so many people recognize his photographs.

Eventually, he compiled many of his famous photographs into a book called The Americans. To get content for his book, he drove across the entire American country in the 1950s. By doing this, he was able to get photographs of everyday Americans doing everyday things. 

Once he had done all of that, he was able to compile and publish his book. He had a famous writer at the time, Jack Kerouac, write an introduction for it, but once it was published, many critics hated it. 

As the years went on, the critics decided that maybe his work wasn’t all that bad. As the years went on, his photographs became something that would be considered classic art. 

3. Diane Arbus

Diane Arbus was also a photographer who took black and white photos in America. However, unlike Robert Frank, she specialized in photographing New Yorkers during the ’50s and ’60s. 

She loved photographing things that were outside of the norm. For example, she took photographs of people who performed in circuses, transgender people, disabled people, and even people with tattoos. Due to this, many people called her a “photographer of freaks.” 

However, that’s also what made her portraits stand out from all the rest of them.  In a time where people like that weren’t really accepted, Diane Arbus gave them a platform and a spotlight. 

Arbus was so influential that they actually made a biographical movie on her called Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus. 

4. Robert Capa

Robert Capa focused on photographing war, and he actually photographed five different wars. 

He wanted to be close to all of his subjects in order to get good photographs, so he was often in the midst of all the combat and action. 

This is what helped set him apart from other photographers because most other photographers only took them from a distance. 

These black and white photos get up close and personal with common soldiers. They are a living part of history. 

5. Vivian Maier

Vivian Maier is an interesting photographer, and she became famous after she died. 

Her photographs were discovered by John Maloof in 2007. In a trunk he had purchased, he found a bunch of her undeveloped film. Once he developed them, he found thousands of photos that Maier had taken. 

After her photographs were discovered, people started digging into her life and learning more about her. She was a nanny for most of her life, and she took most of her photos in New York and Chicago. She just captured anything that caught her attention.

Her camera of choice was a twin-lens 6×6 camera. She took it everywhere with her just in case she found something she wanted to photograph. 

She practiced a lot, and you can tell that that practice paid off. Even though her photographers were more modern, it looks like she took them in the ’30s or ’40s. 

She also took many photographs of some of the people on the street. Some of them are candid, like of little kids crying or people sleeping in their open convertible on the street. 

6. Richard Avedon

Richard Avedon was born in 1923, and he lived until 2004. 

His specialty was taking photos of fashion and people. As one of the earlier photographers, he helped to guide the style and fashion in America. 

When he first started his career as a photographer, he worked for Harper’s Bazaar. After he worked for them for a while, he then started his own photography studio when he was only twenty-six years old. While he was there, he took pictures that would later appear in Life and Vogue. 

He used a large-format 8×10 view camera, and slowly he started building his reputation as one of the most famous photographers. 

He was interested in portraits especially because he enjoyed capturing the personality of his subjects. He always tried to bring his photographs to life and make you feel like you really knew the person that you were looking at. 

7. Andy Warhol

You may have heard of Andy Warhol before. While he is known for his unique and famous paintings, he was actually into photography as well. 

He viewed photography as a way to capture the real things in life, and he saw it as a type of visual diary. When you look at his art and photography, you’ll find that a lot of it has a double meaning, so an art critic may wonder if keeping a visual diary was ever really his intention. 

The “Father of Pop Art” first started using a Brownie camera when he was only ten years old. He had grown up in Pittsburgh, so many of his first photographs were taken in his local neighborhood. 

Later, in the ’70s, he started using a Polaroid camera. Once he became skilled at using Polaroids, he was actually commissioned to start taking Polaroids of famous celebrities. 

Eventually, he was able to have his own studio, and he started taking these commissioned Polaroids against a plain white background. This style of Polaroids made the celebrity the focus. In addition to these famous Polaroids, he also took many famous black and white photographs. 

He kept taking photographs up until when he died in 1987. 

If you’re looking for Andy Warhol art, there are many places where you can find it. If you like it enough, some of it is even available to buy so you can hang this famous art in your own home. 

8. Henri Cartier-Bresson

Henri Cartier-Bresson was born in 1908 and then died in 2004. 

Unlike some of the other photographers on this list, he was a French photographer. He mastered the art of candid photography.  He took these candids on the street, capturing some of the most intimate and realistic moments. 

During a time where no one was really using 35mm film, he decided that he was going to become a master of it. 

Later on, when he had enough photographs, he made a book out of all of them. In this book, he made all of his subjects come to life and make you feel like you really knew them and saw them in real life.

9. Tim Walker

Tim Walker is also a fashion photographer, but he has said before he doesn’t really care about how important the brands are or not. This is what gives him a unique advantage. 

He has an active imagination, and this shows up in his creativity. Even though he’s a fashion photographer, he’s also photographed portraits for actors, directors, and designers. 

In some of his portraits, he incorporates florals and creates a surreal, fantasy picture. His colorful and vibrant photos are something that would fit a calming, interesting aesthetic. 

10. Ansel Adams

Instead of taking portraits or shooting fashion photography, Ansel Adams is a popular nature and landscape photographer. 

His photographs are so popular that you’ve probably seen them at some point; you just may not have realized whose photographs they were. His photographs appear in books, on posters, and even as screen savers. Some of his most popular photographs include black and white photos of Yosemite Valley in California. 

He was important for inventing a system to make sure they had a good exposure for black and white films. This process is called Fred Archer, and many photographers still use it today. 

11. Gary Winogrand

Gary Winogrand is another street photographer who was based in New York City. 

At the beginning of his career, he was a freelance photojournalist. In addition to that, he also took advertisement photos. 

Unlike other famous photographers, he would take a photograph without looking through the camera lens. Instead of trying to find a focal point through the lens of the camera, he would just guess where it was and hope it turned out.

Despite this odd technique, his photographs still came out perfectly, proving just how much natural talent he had. 

As he practiced, he got better and better at doing this, and his black and white photos became famous around the world. 

He also used a wide-angle lens, even when shooting portraits. This technique wasn’t commonly used, but somehow it still worked. 

12. Philippe Halsman

Lastly, Philippe Halsman is another photographer that you should know about. 

He was popular in the ’40s, and he photographed for the next thirty years until he passed away in 1979. If you’ve subscribed to LIFE magazine, you’ve probably seen his photographs. He has the record for the most covers for one photographer for the magazine. 

If you’ve heard of Salvador Dali, you may not be surprised to hear that these two were actually close friends. They collaborated on many creative projects as well. The popular Salvador Dali portrait you see with his mustache hairs pointing straight up was actually shot by Halsman.

Salvador Dali wasn’t the only famous person Halsman photographed though. There are also pictures of Albert Einstein, Winston Churchill, and Marilyn Monroe. 

He was always good at getting his subjects to feel natural and comfortable when he was behind the camera. He had a great sense of humor, which you can see in most of his work. 

Discover More Famous Photographers

These are only a few of the famous photographers from history, but there are so many more out there. 

If you get a chance, try going to a photography or art museum to see some of these photographer’s photos in real life. Even though you can view them online, there’s something special about seeing them up close in person.

If you enjoyed this article, make sure that you also explore our website to find more just like this one!

Breathtaking: 7 of the Most Beautiful Places in South America Worth Visiting This Fall

If you’ve got the travel bug, you’re not alone — thousands of people travel the world each year to experience different cultures and beautiful new lands. One of the favorites on the travel lists is South America.

Whether you’ve been to South America before or not, it is doubtful that you’ve seen all of the most beautiful places in South America. There are simply too many to see in a lifetime but we will help you find some of the best spots to visit.

Continue reading this article to learn about beautiful places in South America.

We’re Off to the Most Beautiful Places in South America

Don’t forget your glasses and sunscreen. It’s time to go on an adventure.

1. Galapagos Islands

Nature-lovers rejoice and view programs for the Galapagos Islands with its beautiful creatures and views. 

Most people think of the giant tortoises when they think of the Galapagos Island and for good reason. These magnificent creatures are a sight to behold with some of them weighing in at over 500 pounds.

Besides the amazing wildlife, there is much more to see including the gorgeous white sand beaches — and don’t forget the lava tunnels.

2. Easter Island, Chile

Easter Island is located 2,000 miles off the coast of Chile. With it being this far off the coast, it is one of the world’s most remote islands.

If you’re wondering if Easter Island is worth the effort to get there — yes! Here are some reasons why you shouldn’t miss out on traveling to Easter Island.

When you arrive on Easter Island, one of the things you’ll find is the mysterious Maoi statues. If you were to count all of these statues on the island, you’d find there are over 900 of them.

The island has many beautiful beaches you can enjoy. Don’t forget to check out the volcanic craters. 

If you’re up for a good party then make sure you come when the two-week Tapati Festival is happening.

3. Iguazu Falls, Brazil/Argentina

You’ll find Iguazu Falls on the border of Brazil and Argentina. The Iguazu Falls are a series of 275 waterfalls along the river. Some of the falls are as high as 260 feet.

Depending on which side of the falls you’re on, you’re going to experience a different type of beauty.

When you’re thinking about visiting this location, make sure to understand whether you’re going in the dry season or the rainy season. Depending on the season, you’re going to get a very different experience.

For the best experience, schedule enough time to relax and enjoy each side of the waterfall and don’t try to do it in one day.

4. Fernando de Noronha, Brazil

There are lots of things to see in Fernando de Noronha, Brazil with its 21 islands. The peaches here are undeveloped and the islands are an important marine conservation area so the lack of development isn’t going to change any time soon.

You’ll find plenty of wildlife in the crystal clear waters when you’re swimming. Turn around and you can look up at the gorgeous rocky peaks.

Schedule a hike along some of the most popular paths to great views you’ve only seen on television. For better views, you might consider booking a tour with one of the local tour guides.

If you want to take a tour with a tour guide, you should book it quickly since there are only so many visitors allowed.

5. Machu Picchu, Peru

You’ve most likely heard of this famous city up in the Andes Mountains. After being abandoned, this city wasn’t found again until 1911.

If you want to see Machu Picchu, you can choose to go the easy way by train or you might decide to hike the Inca Trail for the experience. The Inca Trail is some 50 miles so be prepared before you head off on your quest.

The ruins of the city are sure to take your breath away once you arrive at your destination either via train or the Inca Trail.

Make sure you get used to the atmosphere before you head all the way to Machu Picchu. You might stay a couple of days in Cusco so you can get used to how it affects your body.

6.  Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

If you want to be blown away by pure beauty then Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia needs to be on the list. This is the world’s largest salt flat. It spans over 4,000 square miles and during parts of the season, it is covered with very shallow water.

During this time, the salt flat looks like a mirror and make it an amazing setting for a very surreal photoshoot.

There are other opportunities for beautiful sightseeing in this area so make sure you have your hiking shoes. Whether its deserts with cacti that you’re seeking or if you want to see the local towns, it’s not far away from Salar de Uyuni.

7. Perito Moreno Glacier, Argentina

This massive glacier is a sight to behold. You’ll hear cracking and crashing as the ice breaks off of the glacier. You should know that this is one of the world’s few advancing glaciers.

Perito Moreno Glacier doesn’t seem to know about global warming and doesn’t seem to be too worried about shrinking any time soon.

Find More Inspiration and Other Great Reads

Now that you know about the most beautiful places in South America, why not read more travel content to inspire you? We also have articles on other popular topics so look through our site to see what you like most and drop a bookmark today.

Adult Braces: How to Decide if They’re Worth It

Around one million adults wear braces in the U.S. and Canada. And that number continues to climb as advances in braces make it easier for adults to straighten their teeth.

If you’ve always wondered about getting braces as an adult, read on.

We’ll look at the many reasons — including health reasons — why getting adult braces is a smart idea.

Braces Improve More Than Your Smile

A lot of people believe that straight teeth are a cosmetic luxury that doesn’t have any medical merit. That just isn’t true. The state of your teeth is directly connected to a person’s health.

When people have crooked or misaligned teeth, there are more crevices where food and plague can gather. Plague is the leading cause of gum disease. Gum disease has been linked to diabetes and heart disease.

The good news is, there are many treatment options for gum disease. But, you don’t want to be in the position of needing treatment.

Straight teeth are easier to clean and have fewer spaces where plaque can build up. In other words, straight teeth lower your risk of gum disease.

Misaligned teeth can also lead to gastrointestinal issues. When people are not able to chew their food properly due to an improper bite or missing teeth, they may end up swallowing food that has not been properly masticated.

You might be surprised to learn that a sore jaw and constant headaches could be caused by misaligned teeth. A chronic condition called temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) occurs when crooked teeth place pressure on the joints in the jaw.

As a result, these jaw joints turn swollen and painful. Having braces as an adult fixes or prevents TMJ.

Having Crooked Teeth Is Linked to Lack of Confidence

The psychological effects of having crooked teeth run deep. A recent study involving 1,140 youth found that problems with a teen’s teeth led to certain psychosocial behavior that affected an individual’s self-esteem.

But that lack of confidence doesn’t go away when those teens reach adulthood.

Research shows that people with misaligned teeth smile less than those with a straight smile. Many are so self-conscious about their teeth that they avoid social interactions, public speaking and even avoid talking to other people.

If you feel self-conscious about the way your smile looks, having braces as an adult can give you new-found confidence that will last the rest of your life.

A Perfect Smile Improves How People Perceive You

Not only does the state of your smile affect your self-confidence, but it also plays a big role in how other people see you.

One study looked at people’s perception of men and women with straight and crooked teeth. During this study, participants were presented with images of various people. They were asked to state their opinion of each person.

The findings of this study were that those with a perfect set of teeth were seen as 45% more likely to get a job. This group of people was also seen as 58% more likely to be wealthy and just as likely to be successful.

Other research shows that almost a third of Americans say that a person’s smile is the first thing they notice about someone’s face. In fact, 38% of Americans would not go on a second date with a person who has crooked teeth. That’s a bigger percentage than those who wouldn’t consider dating someone who lives with his or her parents!

From making good first impressions to getting more dates, a smile full of straight teeth makes a big difference.

Braces Are More Affordable Than Ever

One of the biggest deterrent adults have for not fixing their misaligned teeth is fear of the cost. Especially if these individuals did not get braces as teens because their parents couldn’t afford them. But now you can!

These days, braces are more affordable than ever before. Many more medical and dental insurance plans pay partial costs of having braces. And, all orthodontic offices offer payment plans that make paying for your braces possible.

In fact, having braces could actually be less expensive than dealing with the consequences of misaligned teeth. The cost to have teeth extracted, fix cavities, fix cracked or chipped teeth, and fix gum disease can far outweigh the cost of braces.

All of these are less likely to occur in a mouth of straight teeth. If you have spent quite a lot of money on dental treatments as an adult, you may be surprised at the money you can save by fixing your teeth once and for all.

If you are a parent whose child also needs braces, you might save more by getting a bundle deal.

People Are Living Longer and Keeping Their Teeth for Life

Global average life expectancy went up by over five years from 2000 to 2016. This was the fastest life increase since the ’60s, according to the World Health Organization.

More people are living longer as a result of more people living in good health. It is not uncommon to see elderly people with all of their teeth.

Even seniors are opting to get braces later in life. The American Association of Orthodontists reports that there has been a rise of people who are in their 60s, 70s, and even 80s having braces.

Because people are expected to live longer, many adults and seniors are choosing to invest in a perfect smile and enjoy it for the rest of their lives.

Braces Are Less Noticeable Than Ever Before

There have been many advances in braces technology in the last several decades. Gone are the big, clunky metal brackets that you recall from your childhood friends.

Many options such as ceramic braces are hardly noticeable. Invisalign is a type of orthodontic treatment that is virtually invisible and is removable.

Now, we’ll cover the various types of braces in more detail.

Types of Braces

We already mentioned that there have been advances in the types of braces that are available. Now let’s look at each type of braces on the market so you can make an informed decision about which type would work for you.

Metal Braces

These days, there are still traditional metal brackets with wires. However, the brackets are now much smaller and less invasive than they were in the past.

These traditional style of braces are cost effective and get the job done.

Individual metal brackets are glued to each tooth and set by a UV light. A wire is strung across each bracket and tighten to pull or push the teeth into proper alignment by the orthodontist.

Each patient is different so there is no way to list a set amount of time that will be needed to correct your teeth. Your orthodontist may be able to give you an estimate.

Clear (Ceramic) Braces

Clear braces work in the same way as metal braces. The only difference is that instead of a metal bracket, each tooth has a clear or tooth-colored ceramic bracket.

From across the room and in photos, the braces are barely visible. This is a good choice for adults who are worried about drawing attention to their mouths while they have orthodontic work done.

Lingual Braces

Lingual braces are one of the newest types of braces that are not visible when you smile.

Lingual brackets are attached to the back of the tooth instead of the front as with traditional braces. This type of braces has been growing in popularity in the past few years.

When you smile or talk, the braces are invisible to anyone facing you. If someone stood over you to look into your open mouth, they would be able to see the lingual braces, but, why would anyone need to do that?

These braces work just like traditional braces with brackets and wires, yet lingual braces are smaller and custom-fit to your teeth. While traditional brackets are all the same size, lingual brackets are uniquely fitted to the size of your teeth.

People who wear lingual braces report that there is a short adjustment period during which you get used to having brackets touching your tongue. However, after a few days, most people don’t notice they are there.

Your orthodontist will give you wax that you can use on top of the brackets to protect your delicate cheeks and tongue from getting cut on the metal.

These types of braces require a little more maintenance because it is harder to see if there is food stuck in your braces. That’s why this option is often better for adults than younger patients.

Invisalign

Invisalign treatments use clear trays to slowly adjust your teeth. The trays are created out of a clear plastic that matches your teeth exactly. Each new set of trays shift your teeth as you swap out the trays.

People often use one set of trays for around three weeks before moving on to the next series of trays. These trays need to be in the mouth for 22 hours to be effective.

The good news is that you can remove them to eat so that you don’t have to deal with food stuck in your braces. This is the most popular choice for adult braces.

Understand the main differences between choosing metal braces and Invisalign by visiting the website for Kuperman Orthodontics.

Bottom Line on Adult Braces

We hope this article provided you with several good reasons why getting adult braces is a smart move.

Talk to your orthodontist to discuss costs and treatment options. You might be surprised to learn that in just a few months, you could have the radiant, confident smile you’ve always dreamed of.

Next, learn about the connection between nutrition and oral health.

Is Dental Insurance Worth It? Here Are 8 Alternatives You Need to Consider

Dental insurance costs anywhere from $15 to $50 a month. But the coverage isn’t comprehensive, and benefits max out at less than $2,000. Meanwhile, a single porcelain dental crown can cost $3,000.

The math doesn’t add up.

Is dental insurance worth it when it doesn’t even cover the cost of fixing one tooth? If your employer isn’t footing the bill, it might not be.

Here are eight alternatives to paying a monthly stipend for dental insurance.

1. Discount Dental Plans

Unlike dental insurance, discount dental plans provide coverage for one yearly fee of around $100. It’s like the Costco of oral health. Joining this club gets you access to quality dentists operating at a discounted rate.

You’ll be able to get routine services, like x-rays and cleanings, at a reduced cost. Even minor procedures, like root canals, and specialties like orthodontics are less expensive.

Discount dental plans may also offer a break on cosmetic dentistry. Teeth whitening, veneers, chipped tooth repair, and dental implants are considered non-essentials and aren’t covered by insurance.

There’s also a contingency for emergencies.

2. Negotiate

Find out if your dentist can give you a better rate than advertised. It doesn’t hurt to ask for a discount.

Many practices can shave off 10%. You might benefit from paying upfront or paying with cash. Some dentists offer payment plans for regular customers.

Explain your situation. It’s in the practice’s best interest to keep patients. If your dentist isn’t willing to work with you, shop around and find someone who is.

3. Nonprofit Dentists

See if there are any nonprofit dental clinics in your area. Committed to providing oral health care to those that need it most, these pop-up clinics host events offering free care to anyone who shows up. A team of volunteers staffs events and can see thousands of patients.

There are also free dental clinics for children of families below the poverty line. Kids who qualify for free and reduced lunch also qualify for free cleanings, fillings, and surgeries as needed.

4. Go Back to School

Did you know you can get basic dental work done at a dental school, sometimes for free? Every dentist was once a student honing his skill, and dental students need mouths to practice on.

For a fraction of the standard cost of care, you can have your teeth cleaned, sealed, and x-rayed at a school. Professionals advise students every step of the way. While it might take longer than it would at a dentist’s office, quality is ensured.

If you only need a regular cleaning, you might be able to get it done for free through a dental hygienist program. Ahead of licensing exams each year, schools offer free cleaning and x-rays to patients who meet exam criteria.

5. Leave the Country

Sometimes it’s cheaper, and more exotic, to take a dental vacation. Many countries offer top-notch dental care for much less than the US.

While it’s not worth traveling to get your teeth cleaned, if you need extensive reconstructive work done, you can save a lot of money. Full mouth reconstruction can cost $40,000 in the States, sometimes more.

Mexico and Costa Rica are close by and easy to get to. South Korea is adept at medical tourism and has similar standards to America. Hungary, Spain, Thailand, and the Philippines are also popular destinations for procedures.

This is not a decision to take lightly and requires thorough vetting on your part. Gather patient accounts and recommendations. Investigate infection-control practices and safety protocol. If something feels off, don’t go through with it.

6. Pay Out of Pocket

It’s possible that simply paying out of pocket for routine services will be cheaper than your dental insurance cost. If you’re in good health and have strong teeth, you might be able to get away with budgeting for dental visits.

The average teeth cleaning is less than $130. Fillings are around $100 per tooth. X-rays can be as little as $20 up to $250 for a full set.

7. Go Halfsies

You can cut your dental bill in half by going half as often. A yearly cleaning is sufficient for most people in good health. Bi-annual cleanings are a scientifically unsupported custom.

If you are at risk for periodontal disease, you should follow the advice of your dentist. In patients with several risk factors, more frequent cleanings have a direct correlation to tooth retention.

8. Pay with Prevention

The best way to save money on dental care is to need less of it. Take care of your teeth with healthy choices and good oral hygiene.

Protect your tooth enamel by minimizing acidic foods and carbonated drinks. Once enamel wears off, it cannot be replaced. Wait to brush your teeth for 30 minutes after drinking coffee or eating citrus.

Reduce tooth decay by avoiding sugary drinks and brushing your teeth after dessert. Sugar feeds the natural bacteria in the mouth which causes teeth-damaging acids.

Keep your alcohol use in check to prevent dry mouth. Alcohol temporarily reduces your saliva. Saliva helps rinse the mouth and keep food from sticking to your teeth and is a main factor in preventing cavities and infections.

Brush your teeth for two minutes, twice a day. Don’t skip brushing before bed. The longer plaque sits on your teeth, the better chance it has to calcify, which can only be removed by a hygienist.

If the taste of toothpaste is keeping you from brushing regularly, find one you actually like. This dental company puts an emphasis on high quality, good tasting toothpaste.

Floss daily. It’s the only way to get the space between your teeth clean. Floss sticks make it excuse-proof.

Don’t forget to replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months. Frayed bristles can erode gums and damage tooth enamel.

Is Dental Insurance Worth It to You?

Have you been making your monthly payments while wondering, “Is dental insurance worth it?” As with many medical questions, the answer depends on the person. If you’re only seeing your dentist twice a year for healthy teeth, you could probably make do with an alternative.

Has questioning your dental insurance cost got you wondering about other insurance plans? Browse our articles for blogs on supplement packages, life insurance, and even coverage for freelancers.

Are Medicare Supplement Plans Worth It? Here’s Everything You Need to Know…

Senior citizens make up over 13% of the United States population and are projected to make up as much as 20% of the population by the year 2060.

That growth of seniors in our country means that more and more people are asking questions about Medicare, what it covers, and whether or not Medicare supplement plans are worth investing in.

Chances are you already know what Medicare is, but for the uninitiated…Medicare is a single-payer insurance program provided by the United States government that helps cover senior’s and other special party’s healthcare costs.

What many people don’t know is that Medicare is not free.

So then, are Medicare supplement plans worth it?

As you’ll see below, the answer for many is yes.

What is a Medicare Supplement Plan?

A Medicare supplement plan is an insurance policy that helps fill in the gaps in your Medicare coverage.

What gaps are there in your coverage? As it turns out, a lot.

For example, most Medicare recipients pay expensive deductibles and 20% of their outpatient care expenses. Furthermore, Medicare has no deductible ceiling.

That means if your medical expenses are high during a certain year, you’ll keep paying out of pocket as you receive treatment.

People who have previously asked themselves, “Are Medicare supplement plans worth it?” have come to find that they love keeping their Medicare-related expenses in check with supplement plans since it lets them have predictable healthcare costs as opposed to volatile expenses.

A Comprehensive List of Medicare Supplement Plan Benefits

In case you’re still not convinced of the value a Medicare supplement plan can bring to your life, here are some of the top benefits people cite as supplement plan holders:

1. Protection Against Healthcare Cost Surges

As we’ve mentioned, the primary benefit of Medicare supplement plans is that they cover your Medicare-related experiences.

That means you can budget a concise amount of money each month for your medical costs without having to worry about getting sick one month and needing to dip deeper into your savings for treatment.

2. Many Medical Supplement Plans Have Ceilings

One of the worst aspects of Medicare is that there is no ceiling as to how much you can pay in deductibles during any given year.

Not only do Medicare supplement plans cover endless Medicare deductibles, but supplement plans also have ceilings.

That means after you’ve paid into your supplement plan up to a certain amount, it will continue to cover your Medicare expenses without asking you for any additional constitutions.

3. International Coverage

Did you know that Medicare doesn’t cover health and injury-related expenses that occur outside of the United States? That means you can never take a vacation or travel without worrying about facing a health issue.

With Medicare supplemental insurance, a good policy will fill in those Medicare international travel gaps so you can feel safe no matter where you go.

4. Guaranteed Acceptance During Open Enrollment

With most insurance policies, insurers can deny you coverage or charge you more based on your health situation. With a Medicare supplement insurance plan, insurers need to accept you and can’t raise costs based on your condition so long as you enroll during your open enrollment window.

Open enrollment for Medicare supplement plans is open for 6 months from when you turn 65 years old.

5. Plans Are Always Renewable

Even if your health takes a turn for the worst, a Medicare supplement insurer can’t cancel your plan so long as you’re keeping up with your premiums.

That means you can be sure that your plan will always renew at the end each calendar year without any issue.

6. You’ll Have Options

There’s no such thing one size fits all when it comes to health. That’s why Medicare supplement plans offer a variety of different coverage options to make sure you get all of the care you need and pay for none of the care you don’t.

The more comprehensive your plan is, the higher your monthly premiums will be but if you don’t need much in the way of Medicare expense help, you can also save by picking a less comprehensive insurance policy.

7. The Freedom to Try

When you have a Medicare supplement plan, there may come a time when you want to try another policy on for size. It could be that another policy is cheaper or that you’re interested in doing business with a more reputable provider.

With most Medicare supplement plans comes a “free look” contingency.

Free look contingencies enable supplement plan buyers to switch to a new policy, try it for 30 days, and then opt to either keep or revert back to their old policy without penalty during that period.

That means that you never have to feel trapped in the Medicare supplement policy you initially sign on to.

Wrapping Up Are Medicare Supplement Plans Worth It? Everything You Need to Know…

As you can see above, we are big-time proponents of investing in a Medicare supplement plan. At the end of the day, as you grow old, most people will be on a fixed income and have unpredictable health needs.

To make sure you’re always taken care of and to never have to worry about losing massive portions of your savings to illness, answer yes to the question of, “Are Medicare supplement plans worth it?”.

Start researching what supplement plans are out there and good luck finding the perfect plan for your unique needs!

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