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“SECRET OF BEAUTIFUL SMILE”

2017-05-11T06:34:00.000-07:00

Healthy living is a secret of happiness. Most of the people are aware of keeping a sound body image and workout daily to remain fit. But when it comes to dental health, many people living in the underdeveloped countries neglect it that leads to poor oral condition with halitosis (bad smell), periodontal problems, calculus deposits, stains and multiple other oral and dental problems.

Always keep in mind that healthy teeth not only give you a brighter smile but also enhance your confidence amongst peers. Being a dentist, I would like to share some basic points that everyone should know.

First of all, it is important to remember that “PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE” so try to save your teeth before it’s too late.

ALWAYS BRUSH YOUR TEETH AFTER EVERY MEAL

Get into the routine of brushing your teeth twice a day, every morning and evening after meal time. Always use a toothbrush with soft and round bristles. Replace your toothbrush whenever bristles become shapeless. Place the brush at 45 degrees between your teeth and gums and gently rock the brush back and forth in the circular motion. Brush your front teeth vertically and avoid any horizontal movements. Never forget to clean your teeth from the back side of your teeth i.e. towards the tongue.

Electric toothbrushes are also available for people who are aged, febrile and handicapped. They have rotating and oscillating movements and run through the battery. They are helpful in case you are lazy and do not want to use manual toothbrushes.

SELECTION OF TOOTHPASTE:

Use fluoride containing toothpaste as fluoride helps in remineralization of demineralized dental tissues. It prevents tartar control and inhibits growth of bacteria.

You can use fluoride-containing mouthwashes if you have a problem of bad smell (halitosis) or on the occasional basis.

FLOSSING:

Proper brushing technique cleans all the tooth surfaces except interdental surface (between the teeth). Flossing is required to clean interdental surfaces.

The finger-wrap method: Cut off a piece of floss 18 to 20 inch long. Wrap one end around your left middle finger and the other end around your right middle finger, until your hands are about 2 to 3 inches apart. Gently use the floss between the teeth, do not impinge on the gums otherwise, you will injure them. Flossing is usually required every alternative day and especially after eating meat.

HEALTHY DIET

Eat fibrous food like fruits, vegetables, whole grains and whole wheat. Decrease intake of juices containing sugar, sticky sweets and chocolates, raisins and always brush after you take them. Avoid taking snacks between meals.

It has been researched that yogurt, cheese, and sugar-free chewing gums (containing xylitol) are good for the teeth. It prevents accumulation of plaque by increasing level of saliva and hence provides an alkaline medium that inhibits cavity formation.

Avoid Tea, tobacco, pan and smoking. These products lead to bad stains on your teeth and ugly smile. Tobacco, chalia, pan, gutka (usually taken in Asian countries) may cause mouth cancer.

TAKE CARE OF YOUR CHILD’S TEETH AS WELL

Many people have a misconception that taking care of primary (baby teeth) teeth is not important as they will shed away. THIS CONCEPT IS COMPLETELY WRONG!!

Primary teeth are guides to permanent teeth, if you don't take care of your children's primary teeth, it will lead to the delayed eruption, shifting and crowding of the permanent dentition.

Hence, dental care starts from the birth. When your baby is on breastfeeding, good nutrition of mother plays a vital role in your baby's dental health.

If you bottle feeds a child, do not put your baby to bed with a bottle of juice, milk, or other sugary liquid. The opportunity for tooth decay to develop increases while these liquids stay in the mouth. Always remove the bottle from the mouth when a child is asleep, also clean baby mouth with wipe cotton or cloth.

First primary teeth erupt at the age of six months, start cleaning or brushing with a soft brush. In the case of dental cavities, consult a pediatric dentist.

Do not use adult toothpaste for children as they usually swallow it and swallowing fluoride in excess can lead to fluorosis (systemic disease causing mottling of enamel and brittleness of bone)

First permanent tooth appears in the oral cavity at age of 6 years. Consult a dentist for use of sealants which are flowable resins inserted into pits and fissures of teeth to inhibit cavity formation in the deep grooves and fissures.

Encourage your children for brushing twice a day by giving them cartoon brushes and flavored toothpaste.

If accidentally your child primary teeth fall off before time then consult your child's dentist. They give your child a device called space maintainer which will prevent shifting or drifting of adjacent teeth and will keep the place for future permanent teeth. In this way, the chances of crowding will minimize.

If your child has actively participated in sports, give them mouth guards to protect tooth injury.

Keep your teeth clean and healthy and spread the smile of life!

Braces vs Invisalign Orthodontic Treatment

2017-05-05T15:00:00.000-07:00

The common question that is being asked by most of my patients is which treatment choice is better for straightening teeth Invisaligh or conventional braces?

The answer to this question is based on number of parameters that need discussion. First of all, I would like to give a brief overview of both treatment methods and then we will shed light on the pros and cons of each method.

Braces consist of either visible metallic or less visible nonmetallic (polycrystalline, monocrystalline, polycarbonate, ceramic with metal slots etc.) brackets that are glued to your teeth individually and are secured together through arch wires and elastomeric bands. These are fixed and cannot be removed on patient's choice.

On the other hand, Invisalign consists of series of aligners (plastic trays) which are removable and nearly invisible. On your initial visit to an orthodontist, impressions and pictures of your teeth and gums are taken and sent to the Align's dental laboratory. The Align laboratory uses CAD/CAM technology (computer aided design/computer aided manufacture) to fabricate the series of aligners. These trays are advised to be worn for 24 hours a day except for meal times to be effective. They will work by slowly and subtly moving the teeth with each new tray providing better results.

Here are the few major differences between braces and Invisalign for straightening teeth:

Braces	vs	Invisalign
Fixed appliances, cannot removed by patient	Versatility	Clear/ nearly Invisible, can be removed by patient on sensitive occasions
24/7 for an average of 2 years depending on patient’s severity of crooked teeth	Wearing time	22-24 hrs/day for 12-18 months
Metallic braces are comparatively cheaper	Cost	Comparatively expensive
Brushing brackets and wires by inter-dental tooth brush and superfloss is recommended; water pick may be helpful.	Oral hygiene maintenance	Brushing teeth without trays in mouth. Invisalign cleaning system or dipping trays in warm water.
Every three to four weeks	Follow up visits	Change aligner trays every two weeks; visits every four to six weeks
Retainer likely needed for minimum of 1 year depending on patient needs. Later, ongoing retainer wear only at night	Retainer after treatment	Retainer likely needed for minimum of 1 year depending on patient needs. Later, ongoing retainer wear only at night

Although, Invisalign attracts a lot of patients due to its less visible quality, it is not suited for every candidate. It is limited in terms of treating complex malocclusion cases where traditional braces are more effective. However, it is ideal for adults who have mild to moderate malocclusion. It also offers other advantages of being less invasive, easy to remove and wear, no issues with food getting caught between wires and brackets, less pain and easy to clean. Nowadays, Invisalign offers versatility in providing treatment to teenagers in whom teeth are in the process of eruption (Invisalign Teen). These aligners have eruption tabs that guide or allow the teeth to erupt as well as compliance buttons that determine the wearing time of teenager children.

The traditional braces may look worse and non-attractive but they are more effective for complex and difficult cases. They are fixed appliances so chances of leaving them out is not possible and hence they give better results without patient's compliance. However, you may feel pain or discomfort from wires and brackets on initial visits that can be relieved by simple painkillers. Other disadvantages could be breakage of brackets on eating hard and sticky food stuff and hence particular attention has to be given on food items. In addition, there may be more chances of white spot lesions or tooth discoloration after braces removal if proper oral hygiene measures are not taken during the treatment.

The bottom line is: Whatever treatment is chosen for your teeth, it is important to strictly adhere to the guidelines or instructions provided by your orthodontist.

For any further questions or comments, you are most welcome!

Cheers,

Dr. Aisha Khoja

Finding a good dentist is important

2017-05-03T03:05:00.000-07:00

Whether or not you were made to feel guilty by snarky TV commercials promoting dental services or you have an oral emergency, the point is you have decided that now is the right time to make an appointment to see a dentist. Good for you! Now, the next step in the process is to find a dental care provider in your area that is worth your money. Believe it or not, selecting a dentist, much like finding a primary care provider, can be laborious and very much confusing if you are not sure what you are supposed to be looking for. However, with the help of the Internet, performing due diligence in locating the right dental care provider, can prove to be well worth it in the end.

The first thing any potential dental patient needs to do is determine what exactly you are seeking dental services for. For example, a dental cleaning, a severe toothache or looking to purchase braces. Although, this information is critical in determining whether or not a dental specialist (i.e. orthodontist for dental braces) will be required, the dental specialist will likely instruct you to first see a dentist in order to ensure that a general exam was performed.

Knowing ahead of time that you will need to see a specialist and what kind of specialist can and will prepare you for your initial consultation with the general dental care provider, at which point you can ascertain if he/she is indeed knowledgeable. Once the initial consult is performed by the general dental care provider, he/she will then recommend the specific specialist needed to adequately address your problem.

The next pertinent pieces of information needed in selecting a dentist pertain to research regarding the dental care provider’s specific credentials as well as aspects of patient care (i.e. reputation). First, you should inquire about the dental care provider’s training, specifically with respect to any procedures you want him/her to perform.

Additional research may also be required once a specialist is recommended to perform further treatment; while you may want to initially trust your dental care provider, it never hurts to make sure that the recommended specialist meets your own expectations. Second, in researching dental care providers, be sure to locate one within a reasonable distance from your residence. This piece of the puzzle will play a significant role, particularly in times of emergency.

Third, find out the office hours, i.e. is the potential dental care provider you are interested in available for emergency services. Next, inquire about services available to promote patient comfort. While this information may seem like frivolous nitpicking, it can be especially beneficial to know ahead of time whether or not the dental care provider will take care to ensure your comfort during a procedure.

Last, but certainly not least, be sure to find out about costs as well as if the dental care provider offers payment plans. It should go without saying that knowing what the financial expectations are upfront can better prepare you as a patient before any procedures are performed.

Clearly, not only does selecting a dentist require a decent amount effort on the part of the potential patient, but such effort can and will prove beneficial for the life of the relationship between you and the dental care provider. Built on more than just trust, such a relationship between the patient and doctor should be established in a manner that fosters the healthy exchange of knowledge and respect for one another.

Fighting with fears and phobias

2011-07-11T09:49:00.000-07:00

The way Pakistani people have been raised and brought up is different than the west. During the childhood years, kids are afraid of being scold by their parents for doing minor mistakes. The outcome is that they hardly experiment new things because they are not appreciated for bringing creative ideas. Even in the schools, there is no any proper learning system for these children where they can explore new things, create new ideas and where they are given space for learning on their own. They are just forced to read their course books, ratify the notes and follow the homework deadlines. When a child returns home, he is again pressurized to complete his homework and study to secure position among others. I don't understand why in our society position holder students have been treated extraordinary and an average student is being dejected. We need to understand that every child is different. Some are academically strong, some are good at sports, some love arts, some love music and some like doing new experiments. You have to treat each of them equally and appreciate for what they are doing. Give them their space to grow and you will ultimately realize that they have talent in subject of their own interest. Unfortunately, we as parents do not allow them to grow according to their wishes and brainwash them to act according to our instructions. When they grow up they become professional doctors and engineers, hold good labels and posts but they actually do not enjoy their work due to which they become frustrated and unhappy. It is more important that they enjoy what they do and only then they become more successful. Alas! many of them are not working according to their choices and many don't know about their interests. They are just going with the flow and pursuing their career without knowing their destination. We cannot blame solely on our parents but actually the system of our society needs to be changed.

I think parents should motivate their kids to do every kind of activities rather than focusing only on their studies. Kids should be encouraged to attend summer camps, computer programs, sports activities along with studies. In schools, there should be credits for extra curricular activities and teachers should observe the child's interest individually.

The other crucial factor which become an obstacle in our way of success is "FEAR". Parents should not scold their kids for doing minor mistakes because the fear of doing mistakes makes man dastard and he could not be successful and this will remain in his personality for the rest of his life. A person could only be successful when he commits mistakes and learns from them. But fear in advance of doing mistakes make person stagnant. We should focus on changing our schooling system in a better way and then we will find our new generation more courageous, bravado, and strong.

Love God, Love humanity, Love yourself.

How to overcome patient's fears or phobias for dental treatment.

2011-07-01T22:19:00.000-07:00

I am myself a dentist and i have encountered a number of patients who are afraid of dental treatment or procedures. It is very important that to deal these patients gently and politely. There are certain tips that I want to share with you that helped me overcoming my patients fears from needles, drills, files, probe and sometimes only the sound of triple syringe :) .

1. Always be on time , do not let your patient wait for long intervals between appointments. This will increase their level of stress and anxiety. Try to give appointments to new and nervous patients in advance.

2. Always introduce yourself to your patient first and then ask about her bio data in a very polite and friendly way. Do not rush towards knowing the patient complaint and his clinical examination. Wherever possible keep the conversation flowing about daily life stuffs.

3. After building friendly environment, ask about his concern and his reason for visiting you. You really need to listen all the patient story with patience . In this way you will get the clues about patient fears, his triggers, his past bad experience of visiting dentist and then u can find a way to deal with his fears. Ask questions from patient in a manner that you are here to help him finding the solution to his problem.

4. After all the question answer session, Ask patient if he is comfortable enough to let me look into his teeth ? Tell him about the dental unit that it will move like a swing and he will enjoy it.

5. It is very important that all the sharp instruments should be out of sight of the patient. Before putting the dental mirror , assure patient that it will not cause any pain or discomfort. If you sense that the patient is in any kind of discomfort however mild, stop and remind them that it is OK to raise a hand at any time. Remember that some patients have fears or histories that prevent them from actually doing this even if you give them permission. So respond to a raised hand immediately but don’t rely on it.

6. You have to be very honest with your patient before doing any treatment. You must have to inform the expectations of the treatment done, you have to tell about different options and its cost and about multiple visits if necessary for that treatment. In this way your patient will build trust and confidence on you.

7. Some patients are not interested about what dentist doing while others are very picky and ask every minor details. In either way communication is the key of helping nervous patients. Sometimes a slow music in the clinic setup is very helpful in making patient's mind relax.

8. Give frequent breaks to your patient. Let patient breathe , give them chance to move and spit if required. This might waste your precious time and you may do few patients a day rather than hundreds but those patients will be very happy and satisfied with your work in the end. This reminds me of my teacher words " Its the quality that matters not the quantity ".

9. Last but not the least , treat patients as a whole rather than confining yourself with only oral cavity. It means you should know about his medical status , drug allergies, past dental visits etc. Also you should take proper measures of sterilization to prevent cross infection. Moreover treat every patient as a human respecting his emotions and concerns even if its a minor thing for you.

Love God, Love humanity, Love yourself

WHAT MAKES HEALTHY TEETH OF YOUR BABIES?

2011-07-01T12:03:00.000-07:00

It is very important to realize that crowns of all teeth are formed inside the tooth buds before birth and its is during that time mother should take healthy diet which is vital for strong teeth. Among the food elements Calcium and Phosphorus , Vitamin D , Vitamin C are essential.

Flouride in a minute amount in the water ( 1 ppm ) is crucial for children when the permanent teeth are about to erupt ( at 6yrs) . In those parts of world where flouride is not incorporated in water, it is vital to recommend flouride in tooth paste or formulations to help prevent the decay. But always remember that excess flouride is also dangerous so its quantity should be strictly checked by Public Health services.

Another thing that should be kept in mind is your baby should never put to bed and fall asleep with a bottle of juice or milk because it gives bacteria to enjoy producing lactic acid and destroy enamel by creating holes. So always keep the gum pads of your children clean by using wet cotton pads.

It is recommended that babies teeth to be brushed or at least properly cleaned with wet towel when the first tooth erupt in the mouth that is around at the age of 6 month. Parents usually neglect to clean the milk teeth thinking that they will ultimately fall down and new teeth will replace them. It is very true that new teeth will replace the old milky teeth but milky teeth are the basic guide for proper eruption of permanent teeth. If you didn't take care of your primary (milk) teeth then they will fall off before time and leads to later crowding of your child permanent teeth.

Proper Dental checkups should also be done every 6 months so that early caries can be prevented by giving pit and fissure sealants , to restore the carious teeth with GIC, to correct the detrimental effect of certain habits on the positioning of teeth, those include thumb sucking, tongue thrusting and mouth breathing. Moreover, growth modification appliances can be used if your child has under developed lower jaw and head gears can used to restrict the over growth of upper jaw.

Having good and healthy teeth boost your child confidence and help him to spread the smile of life.

Love God, Love humanity and Love yourself.

Air Abrasion

2011-06-09T22:37:00.000-07:00

Many people avoid going to a dentist because they had at least one very painful procedure in the past and after that they start believing all dental procedures are painful.
Air abrasion technology is advantageous for those who hate dental drills and needles. It is primarily used to treat small to medium sized cavities, preparing teeth for dental sealants and also for removing stains on teeth. It is ideal for placement of composite fillings ( white resin fillings).
How It works?
Air abrasion works by blowing 27 micron aluminium oxide powder using compressed air through very fine tips. Some devices add water to the powder stream ( hydro abrasion). When powder stream hits the tooth if removes the surface it is pointing at in a very gentle and efficient way. The concept of air abrasion originates decades ago but only recently has advances in technology.

ADVANTAGES :
Air abrasion is a conservative nature of procedure where only small amount of tooth is removed at a time. No need of anaesthesia and patients like the near absence of voice and vibration. All that is left after treatment is small residue of powder that can be suctioned later or it can be prevented using rubber dam. It is ideal treatment for anxious patients and small children.

ABORTION OF A BABY GIRL

2011-05-09T19:51:00.000-07:00

Have u ever thought about the biggest sin followed by many people in our society? Yes, I am talking about the intentional abortions of baby girl that is being carried out by uneducated mothers. They think that a girl is more of a liability for them because of the Dowry system running in our society( that is family of a bride has to give huge amount of material things for the girl survival )while boys will earn for them and his wife will bring all the goods.How pathetic our society traditions are and even the people who are promoting these traditions. I feel so pity on those mothers who are not courageous enough to fight against their own husband or their family for such a cruel act. I realy wanted to ask these women if they feel so inferior or worthless that they don't want to be responsible for bringing up their baby girl into this world??. India, pakistan, China and in many countries, sex selective abortion is being carried out and therefore many doctors usually refuse to inform about child sex to their own parents. Those parents doesn't know that infanticide is a big sin ?? . Actually they are no less than a murderer. I want to ask those mothers where does your motherhood goes when you are ready to do such a horrible crime?? Don't you ever feel before aborting your baby that inside your tummy she was so excited for her existence into this world, she also wanted the same love and importance of her individuality, she also dream to make her mom and dad happy, she must be having hopes of wearing beautiful pink clothes and rubber bands, she also wanted to be your fairy. But Alas! ....Those parents killed all her hopes and desires with her, How sad!

Moreover i also want to emphasize that in Islam it is strictly prohibited as its written in Quran " You shall not kill your children in fear of poverty. We provide for them as well as for you. Killing them is gross offense." (17:31). Moreover, Holy prophet (SAW) condemned the unequality of gender, he hated the dowry system and loved simplicity. Infact from Islamic history the girl had right to ask for man's possesion but Holy prophet (SAWW) even didnt see all this for her very lovable daughter Fatima (RA) marriage who got married with Ali (RA) who was himself a poor guy. But their is no such islamic history which obliged girl's parents to give enormous goods or gold that they hardly afford. I would like to request young girls to stop this tradition of jahez (dowry), fight for your rights, fight for wrong things happening in our society otherwise you will end up in killing your innocent babies. Condemn this illegal sin and don't promote it under pressure of these customs and traditions. Boys and Girls are equal and its the duty of every daughter to take care of their parents the same way as their sons do, so that they don't get this feeling of regret of having daughters rather than sons. Stop hating your own existence, stop hating your own gender. I would also like to tell those boys who are so inhuman that they beat up their wives if they give birth to a duaghter rahter than son that you are unfair . Let me tell you a scientific fact that genes on male chromosomes determine the sex of the baby so they are blaming their wives for no reason. It is very unsympathetic that If you are blessed with son you feel proud and if you are made parents of a daughter you feel guilty in this society. Don't hate female gender because your mother is also a female and heaven lies in her feets.
I would like to appreciate those people who are with me and want to make this world beautiful with no hate, no difference of sex,gender,colour and race. I would like to request you that its now your duty to educate people as much as you can so that no baby girl will be killed before birth, no daughters will be differentiated or criticized on their existence and no woman will be beaten on giving birth to a baby girl.

Love God, Love Nature, Love Humanity

hcg DIET PLANS FOR WEIGHT REDUCTION

2011-05-03T17:58:00.000-07:00

Human Chorionic gonadotrophin ( hcg) diet is being used these days for weight reduction in United States by many people and is gaining popularity in the entire world. Its actually a hormone which is formed in pregnancy for the maintenance of Corpus luteum and to provide proper nutrients to developing bany.
In the weight reduction plan, they use small injections daily (125 IU to 200 IU ) which results in 1 to 2 lb loss per day and if it is used with very low caloric diet intake ( VLCD) i.e. 500 calories per day ,then results are absolutely guaranteed. hcg shots help hypothalamus ( present in our midbrain that helps to control apetite and satiety) to mobilize the fat stores from our body and when one is taking low calories already ( 500 calories a day) then much of our fats will be mobilized and used by body to burn it to make fuel for energy.
But remember!! hcg is not recommended by FDA ( food and drug Administration) for weight loss. The original diet that was introduced by Dr. Simeons with its extreme caloric restriction ( 500 calorie) is not approved because it results in weight reduction without any exercise which results in loss of lean body mass including muscles and tissues that are source of protein in our body. hcg is only approved for fertility treatment but not for weight reduction.
SIDE EFFECTS : Headache, restlessness, irritability, depression, slight water retension, tenderness of breast, swelling at injection site. Some rare side effects include development of rare ovarian hyperstimulation in females.
The newer diets are being introduced which are safer but again there are always side effects and my personal view is "its better to follow the natural ways for reducing your weight eg. Exercise, healthy way of life, yoga, eating low fat diets, low carbohydrate diet, intake of enough fiber and fruits and vegetables. They might be slow and will not give quick results but are better in long run. Moreover, indulge yourself in creative activities and some research work
to distract yourself from eating. Do not acquire a sedentary lifestyle even if you are housewife. Buy a tradmill , do brisk walk in the fresh air, Pray five times to keep your body active and last but not the least eat for survival not survive for eating :) and even if all these things do not help you reducing your weight then do not worry and never stop effort. Keep on maintaining healthy life style and accept the fact that you are fat but not unhealthy. Love yourself , love people and Love God.

May God Bless All of us and help us to live healthy, wealthy and wise.

Stress and tension has become the part of the society

2011-02-21T02:59:00.000-08:00

Why do we stressed out so much?

Common question raise in every body's mind and how to get rid of it? .

The most important element of stressful life is "competition with peers leading to envy and jealousy". We do not focus on the little things that make us happy rather we work on making our external impression on people and surroundings. Why can't we live a life according to our wishes and beliefs? why are we compelled to do what is important in eyes of society ? Why are we afraid of people rather than from God?

Actually we have indulged ourselves into this materialistic world and our desires are revolving around them. We search for every new thing in the market just to show off and get name and fame in society. Every luxury has now become a necessity for us. Did you ever think that for whom we are doing all this?

For living a happy life we do not need a mansion or million dollars to buy fancy cars or diamonds. It is enough to have a small house where people love each other, a vehicle to ride, small amount of money that is earned by fair means to fulfill our desires. Human beings are greedy by instincts and if we feed the greedy lion, we desire more. If we become a multi millionaire even then we look at those aspects of life that are not fulfilled. No one is made perfect in this world, but always keep in mind that sorrows never lasts for a long. Every dark brings light and time never remain the same. We should never loose our patience in rough times and keep moving ahead. Live for yourself and for those who love you. Do not go with the flow but instead try to change the environment for betterment. Respect people's belief and thoughts, be original and try to enjoy every bit of moment. Do exercise daily and breathe in fresh air, meditate and be simple at heart.
Trust on yourself and keep strong faith in God :)

Please share your views and comment how do you manage stress?

How to get rid of yellow teeth

2011-02-13T09:50:00.000-08:00

Yellow and discolored teeth indeed look pretty disagreeable and they are source of embarrassment in society। Bright smile give beauty to your face and people who have discolored or yellow teeth often do not smile to offset their unpleasant teeth.

Before I will tell you the treatment options for yellow teeth , you should know what are those factors that are causing your teeth look yellow.

1. Some people have yellow teeth from birth (originally yellow). If you belong to this category you don't need worry about anything because your teeth aren't diseased. All you have is defective enamel (outer layer) mineralization defect and the second layer which is yellow coloured called dentin is showing off from thin enamel.

2. SMOKING: I don't understand why people smoke?? Its more of a fashion in teenagers and adults but they don't know the long term harms of this crappy thing. People who smoke often have ugly teeth that are brown to black in colour which is because of nicotine(component of cigarrete) that makes salivary pH acidic. No argument , smoking is indeed a major cause of tooth yellowing as well as discoloration.

3. TEA and COFFEE : Excessive intake of tea and Coffee causes extrinsic staining and yellowing of teeth over a period of time because it contains color imparting substances.

4. BAD ORAL HYGEINE : Most of you do not take care of your teeth as much as your skin,hairs,nails etc. Your teeth also need some time to care for them. If you do not brush them properly then they will ultimately appear yellow so no matter how tired you are always brush your teeth before going to bed and also between meals.

5. BEVERAGES and ENERGY DRINNKS: Avoid taking lots of carbonated drinks as they are very dangerous for your teeth, they are corrosive in nature and make your teeth weak and brittle and once they become weak they acquire extrinsic pigmentation easily. Use Mineral water instead of harmful drinks.

6. AGING: As u grow older your enamel wear down due to attrition and underlying dentin appears yellow. Moreover with age people do not take care of their teeth and their bad oral hygeine causes teeth to appear yellow.

7. SYSTEMIC FACTORS : Diabetes mellitus , Congenital porphyria, Amelogenesis imperfecta, Dentinogenesis imperfecta all of them leads teeth to become brittle, porous and less mineralized leading to yellowing with time.

8. SWIMMING: It is not a very major factor but some research has shown that swimmers have weak teeth becausa of high chlorine content in swimming pools which might cause teeth to become brittle and yellow.

9. ATTRITION, ABRASION, EROSION : Do not use your teeth for opening cans and packages. Also people living in rural areas eat hard sugarcane that causes attrition(wearing off enamel). Do not insert needles, pins, pencils between your teeth because this habit again causes fragile teeth.

Improper brushing technique (horizontal brushing) causes abrasion so avoid it.

Excessive vomiting in people who have anorexia nervosa/bilimia nervosa causes erosion which is chemical wearing of teeth (this is usually seen in teenager girls who have fear of gaining weight even if they are underweight and for doing it they vomit out forcibly after taking meal).

TREATMENT OPTIONS:

1. Bleaching and whitening

2. Crowning if one or two teeth affected

3. Porcelain Veeners

4. Composite Veneers

5. Laser technology/treatment

Life and Mayonnaise Jar

2010-03-01T06:57:00.000-08:00

Life & Mayonnaise Jar
A professor stood before his philosophy class & had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a large and empty mayonnaise jar & proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He than asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand & poured it into the jar, of course, the sand filled up every thing else. He asked once again if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous “Yes”.
The professor the produced two cups of coffee from under the table & poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand.
The students laughed. “Now” said the professor, as the laughter subsided. “I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The Golf balls are the important things: your God, family, your children, your health, your friends & your passions-things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.
The Pebbles are the other things that matter like: your job, your house, and your car. And the Sand is everything else- the small stuff”
He paused. “If you put the sand into the jar first,” he continued, “there is no room for pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time & energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children, take them to get medical checkups, take your partner out to dinner. There will always be time to clean the house & fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first, the things that really matter. Set your priorities, the rest is all sand”
One of the students raised her hand & inquired what the Coffee represented? The professor smiled. “I am glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there’s always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend”
Be optimistic & lead a happy life
Regards,
Aisha Khoja
PS: This article is not my property & the due credit goes to the author who wrote this. I read it somewhere few years back & found it very interesting so sharing it with you.

Foods To Eat When Pregnant That Will Ensure Proper Pregnancy Nutrition.

2010-02-05T14:48:00.000-08:00

As soon as you realise you're pregnant, there is one thing that becomes top priority and that is the health of your baby. During pregnancy, there are a few ways of making sure your baby is healthy. The first is to stop smoking, the second is to cut out alcohol, and the third way is to maintain a healthy diet. Here are a few hints and tips on foods to eat when pregnant so you can be sure you are doing all you can to have a healthy baby.
People often get confused between a healthy diet and a low fat diet. They are not the same!. When we talk about a healthy diet it basically means everything in moderation. Fats and sugars should be kept to a minimum while pregnant as this can not only be bad for your health but can also cause diabetes in your unborn baby or even gestational diabetes in yourself. Although gestational diabetes will only last the length of your pregnancy, it can still cause problems for you such as larger babies, increase the risk of deformaties and also a greater risk of premature labour. Because of this, pregnant women are advised to keep sugars and fatty foods to a minimum.
One thing that is very important in your pregnancy diet is to raise your calcium levels. When babies are forming in the uterus, they have no qualms in zapping all the calcium they can find, including from their own mothers bones! Make sure that you drink enough milk and eat enough cheese (hard cheese only!) to keep both you and your baby strong. Another good idea would be to increase the amount of green vegetables you are eating. These are great foods to eat when pregnant because they are full of folic acid and iron which will again help you and your baby stay strong.
Deciding which foods to eat when pregnant should be determined on their nutrient value. If something is high in vitamin C, eat it! If something is high in calcium, eat it! If something is full of saturated fats and is of no nutritional goodness, put it down! The only vitamin you need to be careful of is vitamin A (found in pate and liver) as too much can be harmful to a developing baby. Also try to steer clear of too much oily fish. One or two portions a week should suffice.

Begin now to learn all about the best foods to eat when pregnant and you will be giving your baby a fantastic head start in life. After all, isn't this what you really want?

Tips for healthy life

2009-08-28T23:57:00.000-07:00

Proper Nutrition.

Exercise.

Preventive heath care.

Proper sleep.

Peace of mind and soul.

Following the simple steps in our daily life can make woman stronger and happier. Just remember that healthy women can build healthy and blissful home. Be the first woman to follow these tips and promote others as well.

PROPER NUTRITION:

EAT Fresh Fruits And Vegitables:

Diets rich in fruits ane vegetables may reduce the risk of cancer and other chronic diseases. Fruits and vegetables provide essential vitamins and minerals, fiber, and other substances that are important for good health. Most fruits and vegetables are naturally low in fat and calories, and they are filling. Add variety to your choices of fruits and vegetables, depending on what’s in season and available.

Drink plenty of water:

Water is essential to human life and health. Water is the key to all bodily functions, and most of us are not drinking enough of it. The recommended eight glasses of water a day includes the water in coffee, tea, juices, milk and some foods. You can monitor your own fluid intake by your urine color. If the color is light, you’re getting enough fluids. If it is bright yellow and smells bad, you’re short on fluids and should drink more.

Do not forget to filter and boil the water if you are living in underdeveloped countries but do no over boil it as this will burn the minerals of water.

Selection of food is very important:

BREAD: When buying bread, cereal, or pasta, the first word in the ingredients should be “whole”, not “milled” or “refined”. 100% whole grains is even better.

EGGS: Egg protein is the most complete food protein short of human breast milk. Eat just one and you’ll also get about 30% of the daily need for vitamin K, which is vital for healthy bones, and 10% of daily protein. And eggs contain choline, a brain nutrient that aids memory, and leutin, a pigment needed for healthy eyes.

Low-fat yogurt: Besides being a good source of protein and calcium, low-fat yogurt with live cultures provides the healthy bacteria that your digestive tract needs to function optimally. These good bacteria may also have anti-inflammatory powers that can offer some relief to arthritis sufferers.

FISH: An excellent source of high-quality protein (you get about 30 grams in a four-ounce serving), salmon is also one of the best food sources of omega-3 fats.

Chicken: A low-fat source of protein.

Almonds: Nuts, especially almonds, are an excellent source of vitamin E, an antioxidant.

Sweet potatoes: A single 100-calorie sweet potato supplies over 250% of the daily need for vitamin A in the form of beta-carotene, the powerful antioxidant. Sweet potatoes are also a good source of vitamin C, potassium, iron, and the two trace minerals manganese and copper.

MILK: Milk is an important source of protein that makes your bones and teeth healthier, it decreases chances of osteoporosis in women as well, and it also contains lactose sugar which is again important content needed for staying healthy.

Avoid excessive fats, high carbohydrate diet, tobacco, alcohol, smoking, drugs, canned or preserved food, juices with lots of sugars, refined or milled breads, animal fats containing cholesterol, excessive mutton or beef meat, baked cakes or biscuits, fried things, excessive use of spices etc.

Exercise:

Anything that expends energy – including routine daily activities or even just fidgeting - is exercise. Filing, copying or standing at work expends energy as does making the bed. So if u cannot go to the gym u can do any of the below mention activity, it will really help as well as u will enjoy doing it

Walk to class, work, the store, for pleasure, walk the dog or walk to take a break from work. Walk up stairs, down stairs or downhill.
Gardening and yard work. Rake the lawn, dig and weed.
Shovel light snow.
Scrub the floor or bathtub, sweep, clean out the garage, wash windows, and take out the trash.
Paint, wall paper or plaster walls.
Hand wash a car.
Bicycle.
Dance. Ballroom, line, square, folk, modern, disco or ballet.
Light yoga or calisthenics.
Play softball or basketball with friends.
Play Frisbee or badminton.
Ice skating.
Swimming.
Play on school playground equipment with your kids.
Skateboard or roller skate.

YOGA

What is it?
Yoga is a system built on three main structures: exercise, breathing, and meditation. When yoga is practiced regularly, these systems are designed to work in unison and produce a clear mind and a strong body. It is very simple to do and gives you not only physical relaxation but also you will feel confident when you will find change in your posture, easy breathing without any difficulty and off course mental peace.

PREVENTIVE HEALTH CARE:

You should see your doctor regularly for preventive health care. This can help find problems early or prevent health problems before they occur. Preventive health care includes exams and screening tests that look for problems even before you are sick. It also includes immunizations, which help to prevent some diseases

If you are 21 years of age or older, you should have a Pap test. It is done to check for abnormal cells in the cervix. If you are younger than 21 years, a Pap test should be done about 3 years after you first had sex.

Immunizations, or vaccines, can offer protection against diseases caused by bacteria and viruses. Some are a routine part of preventive care and others are offered to those at risk. Ask your doctor about necessary vaccination that you need for prevention of diseases.

Use a latex condom every time you have sex to help prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) including chlamydial infection, gonorrhea, genital warts, herpes, syphilis, and infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV, the cause of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome [AIDS]).

Use a form of birth control if you are able to become pregnant but do not want to become pregnant. Consult your nearby doctor for contraceptive methods.

Do a breast self-exam once a month. Always look for the following changes.

Relax, look for shape, size difference, skin and nipple.

Look only for changes.

Look for any lumps or bulges

Look for any puckering or dimpling in breast

Look for any change in the way your nipple is pointing.

Look for discharge or any dripping from the nipple.

Look for rash or redness in or around the nipple that doesn’t go away, any itchy sore.

Look for thicker area of skin like bumpy skin of thick orange peel.

PROPER SLEEP:

Proper sleep of at least 8hrs is required for healthy living individual. Children and adolescents need more sleep than anyone. Adults, whether young or old, need about the same seven to nine hours of sleep a night. Sleep patterns normally change with age – older adults tend to go to bed earlier and get up earlier than younger people. But failure to sleep well and waking up tired is abnormal at any age. Of course, we all have “sleepless nights”. If those sleepless nights persist, talk to your doctor. An untreated sleep disorder can impair your quality of life and can also complicate treatment for other medical conditions.

Eating too close to bedtime can cause disrupted sleep and you will feel less rested the next day. If you are hungry, stick to carbohydrates, such as popcorn, bread or crackers, which are easier for your system to digest.

A glass of milk before bed really will help you become drowsy. Milk contains an enzyme called tryptophan, which induces drowsiness.

Exercising before bed will increase your heart rate and metabolism. Your body will need time to resume a resting heart rate and this will delay the onset of sleep.

Save your bed for sleep and intimacy . Psychologically it is not a good idea to get in the habit of studying, reading, or watching television in bed. Keeping your bed as a place for sleep trains your body to go to sleep when it gets there!

Peace of Mind and Soul:

Your mental health is as important as your physical health. New research is showing us how closely the two are connected. Taking care of your mental health can help u feel better physically. Peace of mind and soul is one the most important step in keeping yourself healthy.

How you can achieve peace of mind and soul?? Here are some few tips you can do.

Having good friendships and

family ties

Doing activities you enjoy

each day

Feeling support from your faith,

Community or loved ones

Finding ways to reduce stress in your life E.g. Exercise, Yoga, Music, Social work, Work for your religion.

Always have faith on God. Never feel yourself alone in this world as if there is no one there is always a God who is beside you.

Last but not the least always keep smiling, Be honest and pure at heart, love humanity and always think positive.