When you come up with the idea of a mobile application or desktop software, you, probably, see its realization in the most bright colors. However, the implementation of this idea can bring unexpected outcomes and produce quite opposite results. Why does it happen? Maybe because you missed a Discovery stage in your software production life cycle.

Importance of the Discovery Stage for Software Development

The Discovery or Initiation stage is a complex of methods that allow evaluating the feasibility of a project. Not every project that comes to your mind, no matter how brilliant, is worth implementing:

• It may happen that you invest a lot of money and effort into the development of certain software that will be outdated pretty soon.
• To implement your project, you may need specialists whose work you will not be able to pay for.
• You may not find enough stakeholders interested in your project.
• You may come up with an idea that your competitors are already working on. But they are one step ahead.

Impelling Numbers for the Necessity of Discovery Phase

The Mckinsey empirical data witness that large software projects exceed their initially assumed budgets by 45%. At the same time, they do not manage to get that amount of profit they hoped for. The difference is 56% less.

The situation with startups is even worse. Investopedia claims that 90% of all startups close in the first 10 years of their operation. At the same time, CB Insights studies show that 3 out of 5 reasons for startup failures would have been neutralized if the Discovery stage had not been ignored.

Preliminary Steps to Move to the Discovery Stage 

Before initiating the Discovery stage of the software development lifecycle you need to perform certain tasks:

• Clarify for yourselves and your partners and managers the main business goals of the project
• Gather all essential information and documentation on the future project
• Get an approximate quote of the initiated software development process
• Allocate the budget for the Discovery stage that will be the first in the whole cycle
• Determine responsible persons for the project initiating among members of your team

Specialists You Need for the Discovery Stage 

Starting the Discovery phase, make sure that you have professional resources to do all the necessary work. Otherwise, contact Agilie team https://agilie.com/en/blog/how-much-does-it-cost-to-start-the-discovery-phase whose specialists have the highest possible qualification to perform all the tasks. The following experts should be present in your Discovery team:

• Business analyst who will work with a client base. His task is to define the target audience, its particular needs, and, as a consequence, the features of the future software.
• Designer is responsible for the visual attractiveness of the project, the simplicity of its navigation, and other features important for the market success of the project.
• Solution architect defines the particular technologies that should be employed to reach the determined goals.

What Factors Determine the Cost of a Project

The budget of your Discovery stage depends on the scale of tasks you put before the team:

• You may want to clarify all the details of the software development cycle for yourselves and your managers.
• You may prefer to work out the possible collaboration with potential investors focusing on the features that will interest them.
• You can aim at your target audience from the very beginning of the Discovery stage.

Calculation of the Costs for the Discovery Stage

The price list for the Discovery stage cannot be universal since it can last from two days to two months. The costs are calculated according to the Discovery type you need and the size of your project. There are two types of Discovery phase:

• Onsite: working team meets to fulfill all the requirements
• Offsite: the tasks are performed remotely

In general, the Discovery phase will take from 10 to 40% of the whole budget of your software project. But it’s worth it. After all, this stage saves your future costs and increases the likelihood of a significant profit from the project.

Agilie team https://agilie.com/en/blog/how-much-does-it-cost-to-start-the-discovery-phase guarantees that it will take the process of your software development to the highest level. It knows that the success of the end product starts from the Discovery Phase and depends on how much effort you put into the Discovery stage.

While iPhones are among the best and most revered smartphone brands, there are so many more factors to look over before deciding to purchase the Apple product. With the current crew of iPhones dating back just to 2019, it is astonishing that the company has released so many iPhone models in such a short time. This short space in between releases has seen to quite a number of major, and not so major, similarities in the smartphones, some of which will be discussed in this review.

Here are some main features that determine the relevance of iPhones, or apparent irrelevance at different levels;

Screen Display

The lowest rated iPhone 11 makes use of an LCD screen with a static refresh rate set at 60Hz. The preceding iPhone 12 utilises an OLED screen, but with the same refresh rate. Granted, this screen quality is appropriate for your basic not-so-average activities, the likes of video editing, machine a sous casino gambling, or even high hit rate mobile gaming. The iPhone 13 however, utilises a 120Hz display, on the same OLED screen.

Software Compatibility

At the moment, the most recent software rollout is the iOS version 15. Compatibility with tis operating system runs all the way back to the 1st Generation iPhone 6s (2015). This compatibility also has effect on the capability of the iPhone to run applications such as those for social platforms or even real money casino games mobile apps. Using the same margin, we can deduce that the current iPhone 11 is likely to be functional with full support all the way through 2026.

Pricing and Affordability

The oldest of the in-stock iPhones, the 11, is currently $300 cheaper than it was when it was released, and stands $100 over the current 2nd GEN SE. That means low budget customers who simply want an iPhone can purchase the SE, while the 11 can remain as the most affordable new age iPhone.

Verdict

More factors stand to make the argument for the worth of iPhones more arguable. However, the overall choice of whether the brand is appropriate depends on individual customers, their then current situations and adjacent needs and requirements for what they consider to be an ideal smartphone.

 

Active leak detection is an essential element in reducing ongoing costs and identifying large (potentially catastrophic) leaks within a water network. Often used by large businesses and governments who have large networks that impact a broader community, active leak detection services are designed to identify leaks that do not immediately present themselves during routine water utility inspections.

In most cases, these are “hidden leaks” that occur below the surface and – when left to their own devices – can become a big problem that can cause network interruptions and high repairs costs for governments and business.

How does active leak detection work?

Active leak detection is intended to pinpoint the location of a water network leak or a compromised part of the network. While many people (wrongly) believe that active leak detection is simply a component of a routine water loss management assessment or project – there is more that goes into it than that.

The process is personified by a company or individual contractor going through a water utility network to survey compromised areas and find leaks through acoustic technology and industry specific equipment. The end result may be an increase to the minimum night flow or an increase in output from the treatment works or supply reservoir. Liaising with the company, active leak professionals will help to identify potential savings within a network.

How are leaks actually detected?

Good question! The process of leak detection involves acoustic equipment that can identify and pinpoint leak locations within a water network. A pressurised pipe will create an acoustic signature that is unique to the amount of pressure between the inside and outside of the pipe. The water will, of course, transfer the acoustic signature that pinpoints a leak within a water network.

What equipment is required?

Active leak detection is an expensive industry to get into and requires a whole host of specialist equipment in order to effectively deliver services. Some of the equipment used during the process include ground penetrating radar, amplified acoustic listening sticks, ground microphones, hydrophones, leak noise correlators, and pipe and cable locators. All of this equipment is highly specific and requires a highly trained professional to operate and interpret the results that come through each tool.

 

Startup accelerator also named as Seed accelerator. A startup accelerator, or seed accelerator, is a cause of finance and other services to support new businesses get established and protect some of their initial costs that startup originators cannot provide themselves. A startup accelerator like Qilindo is a business program that helps new-stage, growth-driven companies with the help of education, mentorship and financing. Startups commonly enter accelerators for a secured period of time and as option of a group of companies. Although accelerator systems can give beneficial services to companies at all stages of development, most focus on those that are pre-revenue. The accelerator skill is a process of intense, rapid, and enveloping education designed at accelerating the life cycle of young clever companies, compressing years’ value of learning-by-doing into just a few months. Once accepted, the startup accelerator will provide measures and services such as guest speakers, guiding hours, a cleared amount of capital and sometimes a divided Coworking space. Term periods average around 3-4 months and obtain anywhere around 3-8% partnership of the startup. The benefit of an accelerator ends with a “graduation” or demo day, when startups represent their work and advanced independently. For early-time businessman, knowing how to available startup accelerators can be accept, but the welfare of doing so can be considerable. Startup accelerator programs don not just provide money to early-stage companies. They frequently cooperate financial help with training and mentorship, and may also provide businessman ways to enter global networks with other businesses and find an advanced into their target market. At a high level, startup accelerators and incubators are companies that look to support startups reach success. Startup accelerators contribute to focus on contributing startups with mentorship, advice, and funds to support the startups succeed, consisting a Demo Day, a day to focus the awareness of the startup investor community on the startups through presenting a series of investments tones from the startups to startup investors.

History of Startup Accelerator

The top individual startup accelerator was Y Combinator, which was firstly published in Cambridge, Massachusetts but then develop to Silicon Valley. After this business arrangement was committed successful, seed accelerator programs begin growing fastly across the United States and Europe.

Advantages of Startup Accelerator

There are various advantages of Startup Accelerators:

• Seed Funding

Most programs provide their companies seed investments. According to current data, the average accelerator value deal was $38,000 in 2018. Seed funding or seed capital, is a relatively low amount of money that is used to begin a business, fund research, or build a product.

• Coworking and Personal Work Time

It’s no hidden hard work and adherence drive success. Accelerators provide you lots of fairness work time. These programs often give Coworking space or personal offices for this reason.

• Training

Many accelerator programs provide available to one-of-a-kind training occasions. These come first from approval mentorship programs. These advisors are lucky founders, investors, and brilliant in growing businesses. Throughout an accelerator, companies will take option in seminars, workshops, mentor meetings and keynote application.

• Networking

Accelerator programs depend on antagonist. So, over various months, startups get to join others in the early stages of development. They trade ideas with fellow developers that can operate future success and partnerships. Confirmed startups also get to work with originator of successful companies and examine to an alumni network.

• Demo day

The program conclude in a tone day. After measuring their companies, each team gets to tone their startup to possible investors.

Startup Accelerator all over the world

• Flat6Labs

Flat6Labs is Sawari Ventures’ devoted startup accelerator for seed stage investments. Established in Cairo in 2011, it helps and motivate businessman throughout the critical first steps of development. Every four months, it collections and trainers a number of carefully choose startups from Egypt and the MENA region, contributing them with seed money and physical hosting at its property.

• Seed Engine

Seed Engine is a startup accelerator pointing to trainer and mentor businessman into growing world-class leaders. Their expert team of venture capitalists, trainers, and emotional develop two to 12-week accelerator programs per year, each containing of a maximum 10 startups.

• Antler

Antler is a worldwide startup accelerator and early-stage venture capital resistance. With the mission to turn uncommon individuals into great originator, Antler goals to build thousands of companies worldwide. They select motivated and determined people, support them find the right co-trainer, and connect them to a superior network of advisors and brilliants worldwide. Antler breaks the limits to enterprise by giving funding from day one and establishing strong teams from the ground up, while allowing trainer to quickly establish and scale their ideas.

• Spark Labs Accelerator

Spark Labs is a worldwide startup accelerator giving finance solutions and coaching for startups who want to increase to the worldwide marketplace. The company provides its services to businessman who are seeing to increase their business ventures into irrelevant countries such as the USA, China, and Japan. Spark Labs provides training programs, investment capabilities, mentoring programs, and office space explanation to early-stage startup companies.

• Primer

Primer is a startup accelerator that offers businessman with seed funding to get them started and mentoring and other support services to support confirm successful outcomes in their new progress.

• HAX

HAX is a progress capital-based program committed to accelerating hardware startups. Their program works across two locations, Shenzhen and San Francisco, providing originators the resources necessary to move rapidly. To date, the company has increased over 200 companies and has helped those supplied 147 products to market.

• AppWorks

AppWorks is one of the highest startup accelerators in Greater Southeast Asia. AppWorks published its Taipei-based accelerator program in 2010 to support Greater Southeast Asian Internet startups develop their products and business schemes. Every six months, AppWorks Accelerator enlist 30-40 promising startups working on AI, block chain, and other quickly growing uprights. With 351 startups and 1,044 originators in its alumni network to day, the AppWorks Ecosystem is the highest of its kind in Asia. All AppWorks startups together create $2.86 billion in annual incomes, give 10,115 jobs and are estimated at $3.97 billion.

 

These days we are so dependent on technology, what it can give us, how it can make our lives better and what we can benefit for it. We lean on it and we do all that we can with it. As much as technology has become part of our lives there are still some things that it can’t teach you, some things that you will have to learn for yourself without the use of technology. So, take a minute and step away from your real money casino games and see a few thigs that technology can’t teach us.

What technology can’t teach us

The first thing that technology can’t teach us is how to be better people. We need to be better people on order to make the world a better and a safe place. Unfortunately, as much as there are applications for this, the best way that you can learn this is through live interactions, making mistakes and learning from them as well.

Funny enough another thing that technology can’t teach us is how to communicate effectively. The irony is that we have so many social network applications where we can meet and greet where we talk to other people.

We talk to them, but we can’t communicate with them. Some things need you to have face to face conversations, and not video calls, but in person where you can read their facial expressions and their body language. That way you are able to communicate effectively.

Technology can’t teach you how to love and be loved. These are things that you can only learn from being around people. This is because love is a verb, a doing word. You need to see the actions that portray love in order to learn how to love. Movies and slots online have romantic scenes, but it’s not the same when you don’t feel the love yourself.

 

In our very connected world, there are numerous reasons we might want to find out more about someone. Maybe we’re hiring for a position at a company and need to run a background check. Maybe we have an upcoming date with someone you met online and want to make sure they are who they claim to be. Maybe our child has a new tennis coach and we’re curious about their qualifications. In the past, getting this information would have required searching through public records, talking with mutual connections, and scanning through pages and pages of numbers, names, and addresses. Thankfully, technology today allows for a much more efficient means of finding information on people in the form of online people searches.

People Search Tools

People searches are becoming more widely used, as they provide a quick way to identify a person and get some basic information about them using only the person’s name and general location. By using an online application like Kiwi people searches tool, we can find details such as the person’s contact information, currently owned properties, education history, and arrest records. Having this context can help you make an informed decision on whether to engage with this person or not.

While at first glance using a people search tool might seem invasive or strange, the only information shown through them is that which is already publicly available. These websites use algorithms to look through public records, social media profiles, and other sources in order to consolidate that information and provide a summary to the user.

As tools like this are becoming more widely available, people are finding new ways to use them. For instance, people search tools have become popular for tracking down old friends from school or work. Others have used them to find long-lost relatives or even their children who were given up for adoption years ago. In the past, there would have been no easy way to reconnect, but with these applications’ ability to comb through web pages and consolidate the relevant information, these people are being reunited with those they care about.

People Search Risks

With most good things come certain downsides, however, and while it might seem like a great option to be able to check up on people in your network, sometimes ignorance is bliss. There’s always a risk that we might come across some piece of information that we would rather not know, so it may be best to save online searches for people we only know peripherally unless we have good reason to look into their background.

Is It Useful?

Despite this potential downside, people searches have the ability to provide us with peace of mind when we’re sending your child off to a new school or welcoming a contractor into your home for a repair job. They can give us the opportunity to check in on old friends and reconnect with relatives who have fallen out of touch. They reduce the days and weeks it could take to find the same information through more traditional means to mere minutes and open up new avenues for connection without the fear of encountering someone we weren’t expecting. And for those who are curious, they can also allow us to see what information about you is available to others.

The state of Texas has been a steadfast opponent against illegal immigration. The state has some of the toughest laws on the books to discourage those who would sneak into or otherwise violate US immigration laws. However, now and then you see a ray of light, a rare case where good sense seems to prevail despite any politics. This is one such case.

In December 2008, the Governor of Texas signed House Bill (HB) 1514 which amends Texas law dealing with ‘U’ Visas In HB1514 Section 2(C)(5)(b), it states: “an alien who has been battered, sexually assaulted, abused, or subjected to extreme cruelty by a spouse or immediate family member.” Under this provision, an illegal alien or lawful permanent resident may petition the local or state police for a U visa. It’s important to remember that these ‘U’ visas are not available under federal law, but only under Texas State Law.

HB 1514 states: “Entitles an applicant…to file with the appropriate official a petition which attests to being a victim of family violence and states that the person is willing to assist in investigating or prosecuting such conduct”. Exceptions from deportation exist under 8 USC Section 1231(b)(3) dealing with informants providing information about crimes involving national security, murder, rape, human trafficking, certain felonies committed against children, slavery, and smuggling If you have been victimized by your spouse then there is a strong argument that you can obtain a U visa from the Texas authorities.

To obtain your ‘U’ visa you must first file a petition for residency as a battered spouse with the US Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) office in Houston, Texas. Once approved by USCIS, you can then send your application for a green card to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). You must also provide DPS with certified copies of all police and court documents relating to any charges brought against your abuser.

Most undocumented immigrants will not qualify because they have been arrested at some point in their past, even if these arrests led nowhere. This is where it pays to have an experienced immigration attorney on hand who knows how things work down in Texas. In other words, for this to work you must be able to prove that you’ve never broken the law while in Texas. If you can do that then it’s very possible a U visa could make a green card a reality.

This is the first step toward legalization and is important because if your spouse has beaten or otherwise abused your chances are good that there’s more where that came from unless he’s put behind bars. As most undocumented immigrants will tell you, filing a police report against your abuser seldom ever happens even though laws exist which require local authorities to file such reports on behalf of victims. In other cases, immigrants may not want their spouses deported, but they’re tired of being hit around and they desperately want out of an increasingly abusive relationship. They hope by filing the police report it will send a message to their husbands/boyfriends that there are consequences for violent behavior.

If your abuser is an American citizen or lawful permanent resident then the immigration authorities could initiate removal proceedings against him if they receive copies of reports filed with the police where he has beaten you up, threatened you, etc. That way everyone wins because not only do you get immediate protection from abuse but your husband/boyfriend is also removed from the country who’s no longer eligible to become a U.S. citizen or green card holder until he can prove that he’s reformed his bad ways i.e., stayed out of trouble with the authorities for five years as required under 8 USC Section 1227(a)(4)(B).

The U visa is particularly useful when an illegal immigrant male has beaten, raped, or otherwise abused a female relative causing her to become pregnant. In this case, she would apply for a U visa on behalf of herself and any children who were born as a result of the unwanted pregnancy. This is because under Texas law, being the victim of domestic violence includes “sexual assault or abuse.” Since most undocumented immigrants have overstayed their visas they are not eligible to adjust their status here in the United States. However, if they can get a ‘U’ visa by applying for it from the Texas authorities then they might be able to get a green card through one of several family-based immigration petitions. Your abuser must have been referred to DPS by the police department to qualify for a ‘U’ visa. This means that it’s the cops, not you who are doing the referring. All U visas are certified by local police departments or county sheriffs’ offices before being sent to DPS for additional verification purposes.

It’s also important to point out that when applying for a U visa you can include any qualifying relatives regardless of whether they were abused by your spouse/boyfriend too or not if they have suffered mental or physical abuse at your hands. This means you can get your U visa if you’ve ever been arrested and/or convicted of a crime even if it was a minor or nonviolent offense. Even though this might seem unfair it’s the law under 8 USC § 1101(a)(15)(U). That being said, I suppose if one is going to be fair about these things then they should also include parents, siblings, children, etc., in the mix when applying for a ‘U’ visa because everyone else seems to be getting in on the action.

More importantly, and this is where your case gets interesting, if you can show that your husband/boyfriend abused you and/or your kids while living here in the U.S., then he can be kicked out of the country on account of being a threat to “public safety” under INA § 237(a)(2)(E). If successful, such an action would also allow him to be banned from returning for many years i.e., ten years at least under INA §§ 212(a)(9)(B), 237(a)(9)(B). So not only does his removal mean you get custody of the children — by default — and some kind of financial support (see below) but it also gives you another valuable bargaining chip in your divorce/custody battle.

For more information, you may ask or consult with Houston immigration lawyers.

You would agree with us that Hollywood has quite the ability to glamorize a product and make it more appealing to the general public. One product that has become more sought after due to how its working and concept has been portrayed in movies is the PTZ camera.

However, if you are looking to invest in one of these, we believe it is wise to know more to ensure that whatever decision you make at the end is an informed one. This is why in this article; we will be discussing the pros and cons of PTZ cameras to help you in your decision-making. But, let us start from the beginning by explaining what exactly they are.

What exactly is PTZ Cameras?

PTZ is an acronym that means pan-tilt-zoom. It is used to describe a type of security camera that is capable of tilting upward and downward, swiveling from the right to the left, and also zooming. Typically, they are used to watch wide areas that require 180◦ or 360◦ view. They are often operated by active personnel with a remote controller.

The camera may be configured to either be motion sensitive or be pre-set to a particular schedule; these features are based on the software or the camera’s model. They are often incorporated among a larger security system where fixed cameras are used to take detailed shots and the PTZ camera can track movements.

Disadvantages of Pan-tilt-zoom Cameras

The following are some of the major disadvantages of Pan-tilt-zoom cameras:

1. Short Lifespan

For these cameras to move in all directions, they are built with several moving parts. These moving parts are often prone to failure when compared to fixed mechanisms that do not have to move about. And because of this high rate of failure, the ownership cost may eventually outweigh the initial price.

2. High Cost

As already stated, maintaining one of these may be quite expensive. Also, the initial price may be a little on the high side when compared to other products that can offer almost the same services. For instance, a fisheye camera can be programmed to cover as much space as a Pan-tilt-zoom camera. You can read this to learn more about how this is done. Not only is the initial cost of a fisheye camera lesser, but it is also not as high-maintenance as a Pan-tilt-zoom camera.

3. Limited View

While pan-tilt-zoom cameras can move in all directions, they cannot do this simultaneously. This is bad because an incident might occur in one area when the camera is busy recording some other area. This limitation is considered a major disadvantage since intruders might go unnoticed due to a brief coverage gap.

4. Malfunctioning Risks

If the camera is not installed properly, then it may lead to some legal and mechanical problems. Legally, if the camera were to accidentally record a private property, even if it were as little as an inch, both the owner and installer can get in serious trouble. Mechanically, changing weather may affect the camera’s hardware.

Advantages of Pan-tilt-zoom Cameras

All the features of this type of camera can be said to be its advantages. However, for clarity, below are some of the major advantages of PTZ cameras:

1. Zoom Capabilities

Almost all PTZ cameras have an optical zoom feature that allows them to capture objects that are considerable faraway like faces and license plates.

2. Remote Controlling

All conventional Pan-tilt-zoom cameras can be adjusted with just a remote to follow any suspicious activity. This means that you can adjust the camera’s FOV without having to go outside and do it manually.

3. Time-Based Scan

You can set your Pan-tilt-zoom camera to an auto-pilot setting that would allow it to move in tours (patterns). What this means is that you can make the camera change position based on a preset time. For instance, you might set it to tilt or pan every thirty seconds so that each area of interest will be covered from time to time.

4. Large View

These types of cameras are used to monitor large areas since they can move in all directions. However, to avoid coverage gaps, it is advisable to use it alongside any fixed camera. You may visit https://ipvm.com/reports/dealing-with-gaps-in-surveillance-coverage to learn how to deal with coverage gaps. Some models even have software that allows recorded videos to be adjusted; however, the video would end up looking grainier than normal.

Conclusion

If you are interested in getting a Pan-tilt-zoom camera then it is important that you properly understand what it entails so that you can make an informed decision. Knowing the product’s advantages and disadvantages is one of the best ways to decide if it is right for you. Therefore, in this article, we have discussed some of the basic pros and cons of PTZ cameras to help you in your decision-making.

 

For any country, sporting bragging rights are important. When it comes to teeth, we don’t think things are any different. Great dental hygiene is something that all countries can be very grateful for. So, just for you, we’ve compiled a list of the top ten countries with the best teeth.

• Germany

Typical German industriousness drives their country to number one on our list. Efficiency is a classic German trait and it seems that great dental health is too. As an example to the rest of the world in so many aspects, the Germans clearly got another thing right with their absolutely stellar dental service.

• Denmark

How do the Scandinavians do it? The Nordic countries always seem to be beacons for progression and they’re no different in our dental Olympics. Finishing in second place, Denmark takes number two for their spotless teeth.

• Finland

Finishing in a very impressive third place, the Finnish take home bronze with their excellent standards for dental hygiene. We’re sure there’s also a correlation between the happiest place in the world and great teeth. We’ve finally found the reason they’re all smiling so much!

• Sweden

The Nordic countries can’t seem to get enough of excellent teeth standards! While the Northern Lights are an example of a dazzling light show, Swedish teeth aren’t too far off either. It seems like the Scandinavians are a prime example of dental care to the rest of the globe!

• The UK

Surprise, surprise! Often condemned by other countries for their ghastly teeth, the UK actually has the fifth highest standard for dental hygiene in the world. If you’re a UK citizen looking for professional dental care without the fuss, we’d suggest trying out Pure Smiles in London for a variety of excellent treatments.

• Switzerland

As quite a unique country in central Europe, the Swiss like doing things their own way. We’re not remotely surprised that Switzerland has landed in the top 6 of dental hygiene standards. If you’re a European looking for top of the line dental care, the swiss have got you covered.

• Canada

Joining moose, ice hockey and maple syrup, great teeth are now part of the pantheon of things Canada is famous for. Canadians will probably be happy finishing above their American cousins too. Canada has one of the best healthcare systems in the world, so it’s really no surprise just how well they’ve done in our dental Olympics.

• USA

When you think of America, the stereotype is of a dazzlingly bright Hollywood smile. You’d think the country would be a bit higher on this list, but the US still boasts an impressive standing. The expense of healthcare in the US often drives people to search for discounted dental care in neighbouring countries such as Canada and Mexico.

• Mexico

Mexico joins up an impressive run for the North American countries, cementing their place in the list with their fantastic dental standards. Interestingly, many Californians take the short trip across the border to get great dental healthcare and discounted prices.

• France

Our French cousins just about slip into the top ten of dental hygiene and they’ve got to be very happy with that. The French have supplemented all that fine food with a good understanding of what makes great teeth sparkle.

All of these countries have done brilliantly to get into the top ten worldwide, but it should be noted that there are a few countries with fantastic healthcare that didn’t make the list. From Townsville dentists in Australia to those in Ireland, many of us are lucky to have the peace of mind of a dentist just round the corner. It doesn’t matter what country you live in, looking after your teeth should never be a second thought. Don’t take your dental healthcare for granted.

For most of human history, dental issues have been a serious problem in terms of health. All the way back to the Ancient Egyptians, humans have been attempting to treat teeth in the most effective ways possible. From using sticks as toothbrushes to boiling dog’s teeth in red wine for use as a mouthwash, it’s safe to say that some of it was all a bit bonkers.

Having anxiety about going for the dentist was totally understandable back then, but we think it’s fair to say that times have changed.  With huge advancements globally in dental hygiene, going to the dentist has never been more helpful than it is these days. If you’re feeling nervous, just remember that you should consult with your dentist first. They’ll slowly take you through the procedures and ensure that your experience is as comfortable as possible. Anaesthetic is also a regular feature in dentists around the world, something that was missing only a few decades ago.

Most dentists also have solutions to many other problems that were often overlooked. Missing teeth can now be solved with incredibly advanced implants. Small amounts of down time and incredibly effective results have turned dentistry into an aesthetic treatment as well as a health one. The countries in this list are constantly adapting, evolving and pushing dental technology to consistently push the boundaries of how we deal with our teeth.

Where did your country finish on the list? Did you finish higher or lower than expected? There’s definitely a couple of surprises in the final standings but one thing is for sure – happy health means happy teeth.

 

Whether you like it or not, your dental routine is here to stay. Every day of your life (hopefully), you brush your teeth twice and floss at least once. It’s one of those things that takes up such a consistent place in our routine that many people have come up with some of their own solutions to make their dental care even more efficient. Unfortunately, most of these are myths that actually result in poor dental hygiene. To fight against these rumours, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to bust some of those myths and keep your dental hygiene on track.

‘Rinsing your mouth out after brushing is better’

The chances are that everyone has been guilty of this one at some point in their lives. However, we’re sorry to say that this one is a definite myth. We understand that it can be nice to get rid of that leftover toothpaste stuck in your mouth, but what you’re actually doing is removing all the fluoride you’ve put on your teeth! Fluoride helps your enamel stay strong and assists in that fight against teeth decay – it therefore plays a vital role. We’d suggest spitting out your toothpaste to make your mouth feel less intense after a brush. If you’ve got into the habit of rinsing since you were a child, it can be very hard to shift. Put post-it notes on your mirror or in your bathroom to keep reminding yourself not to rinse.

‘I don’t have any pain so my teeth are great’

This one really is a clanger. It’s very important to note that just because you’re not experiencing any problems with your teeth now doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be checking in with your dentist on the regular. Gum and teeth problems tend to start off painless and start hurting after it’s too late to stop the issue effectively. If you can build up a rapport with your dentist it makes regular visits much more inviting. We’d suggest checking out London City Smiles if you live in the London area – their service focuses on slow dentistry and they have a fantastic record for relieving dental anxiety. Having that confident and beneficial relationship with your dentist will be vital for maintaining high levels of dental health throughout your life. Make a visit to the dentist a monthly occurrence if you can – getting complacent is the worst way to deal with your oral hygiene.

‘Right after eating is the best time to brush’

Cleaning right after you’ve had your dinner is a big no-no in the eyes of your dentist. If you get the toothpaste out when you’ve just eaten you’re not allowing your saliva to break down your food and perform antibacterial miracles in your mouth. As a result, any bits of food that you’ve missed will have some bad effects on your teeth. Even worse is that all the acid you received from your food will have an immediate effect on your enamel. Brushing after eating starts to scrub away at the surface of your teeth, which only helps the acid. In our opinion, if you can brush an hour after your dinner you’ll be brushing at the optimum time.

‘A more forceful brush makes your teeth stronger’

This myth may seem very obvious, but it’s an easy one to fall into. Brushing rigorously actually has a very negative effect on your teeth. If you’re being too firm, you can actually damage the surface of your teeth and cause some serious harm. Be careful with the type of toothbrush you’re using and make sure you have one suitable for your teeth, especially if you have sensitive gnashers. Ultimately, brushing with too much strength can do much more harm than good for your teeth. Take it easy and use a softer toothbrush if you’re worried about being too firm.

‘Females lose a tooth each time they have a baby’

Yep – there are some people out there who think this irrevocably true. We’re sorry to break it to you, but this one is definitely not true. This odd myth has passed down generations but it’s ultimately an old wives tale – much like carrots helping you see in the dark and your crusts making your hair go curly. Pregnancy can obviously have some profound effects on the body and any that seem unusual should be immediately checked out. Fortunately, teeth are one part of the body that aren’t affected – as long as you’re keeping up an effective brushing routine. If you’re having any trouble with your teeth during pregnancy, go straight to your local dentist.

‘The best place to get my teeth whitened is the salon’

Sorry ladies, but this one is a definite no. Teeth whitening is a distinct form of dentistry with its own special procedures and regulations. If you’re getting your teeth whitened from anywhere but a dentist, you should definitely have second thoughts. Many dental whitening techniques are incredibly long-lasting and offer cheap, affordable options for those considering the teeth whitening cost. Getting your teeth whitened can have a brilliant effect on your smile and improves your self-esteem tenfold. If you’re thinking about getting it done, have a look through some natural and long-lasting procedures from certified dentists. Not only will the whitening last longer than non-dentistry’s, it will be much more safe for your teeth. To top it off, if there isn’t a professional dentist present the whole treatment is illegal anyways.

While some of these myths might be a bit silly, some are very believable and make sense logically. Always check in with your dentist if you’re worried about which way forward is best for your brushing routine. If you’ve got dental anxiety, we understand that it can be tough to push through that barrier. All that we can say is keep trying and build up a rapport with your dentist – you’ll soon realise how beneficial it is to have a good relationship. We can’t stress enough just how important it is to get your dental routine perfect. You’ll see the fantastic results of glimmering teeth in no time.