Healthy Life

Late Night Media Bad For Teens

noreply@blogger.com (drg Ardyan Gilang Rahmadhan) — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 14:04:00 +0000

Late night media use by teenager like internet, phone text messaging, video games may lead to learning problems, mood swings, anxiety and depression, a study suggest.

Conducted at the Sleep Disorders Center at JFK Medical Center in Edison, N.J., the reaserchers found that kids and teens who use media devices like computer, cellphone, and other electronic devices until late night had a greater chance of sleep disorders that cause many problem.

"These activities are not sleep-promoting, like reading a novel or listening to music. They stimulate the brain and depress normal sleep cycles," said study author Dr. Peter G. Polos.

After surveyed on 40 boys and girls with an average age of 14 about their activities after they had gone into their bedroom for the night and were supposed to be sleeping, the researchers found correlations between late-night electronic media use and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, mood swings, anxiety, depression and poor cognitive functioning (thinking skills) during the day.

About half of the parents of study participants didn't know about this late night media use, said Polos. The others knew, but had a fatalistic attitude.

"They [parents] thought, 'This is the world we live in, what can you do?'" said Polos. But parents need to monitor electronic media use, he said, because "at the end of the day, the parent is still the parent, the child is still the child."

Another reason parents need to monitor media use is to know what is going on in their children's lives, said Expert Richard Gallagher.

"Parents need to take the perspective of what their own lives were like growing up," said Gallagher, director of the Parenting Institute at the Child Study Center at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City.

"Parents knew if someone came to the door to see their daughter or son," said Gallagher, an associate professor of adolescent psychiatry at New York University, adding that "children should have some privacy, but parents need to make it more comparable to when they were growing up."

HealthDay: Study Finds Teens' Late Night Media Use Comes at a Price

Free Contraception For US Women

noreply@blogger.com (drg Ardyan Gilang Rahmadhan) — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 20:29:00 +0000

According to the new health care law, women in United States could have free contraception. This is another effort for US government to control birth rate in their country.

Read more: Birth Control May Be Free Under Health Overhaul

Mariah Carey Got Fertility Tips From Celine Dion

noreply@blogger.com (drg Ardyan Gilang Rahmadhan) — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 12:27:00 +0000

Finally singer Mariah Carey revealed her pregnancy secret. She also told us about her miscarriage about two years ago. After done some fertility treatment, and also some advice from her singer friend, Celine Dion, Carey finally get pregnant.

More: Mariah Carey Takes Fertility Tips From Fellow Chart-Topper Celine Dion

New Methode To Treat Dry Mouth

noreply@blogger.com (drg Ardyan Gilang Rahmadhan) — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 02:22:00 +0000

New approach for treating xerostomia (dry mouth) condition has been published in the October 2010 issue of The Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA), conducted at New York University's College of Dentistry. The study in this journal has confirmed about the safety and efficacy of the new methode.

With double masked, randomized controlled crossover study, researcher concludes that use of a unique mucoadhesive patch, affixed to the hard palate inside the mouth, provides statistically significant and sustainable improvements in salivary flow rates and subjective moistness for dry mouth sufferers.

And it showed that these patches provided better performance for dry mouth sufferers than a leading over-the-counter dry mouth spray.

The patches on this study are available to consumers under the brand name OraMoist. It is about one centimeter in diameter, and it can adhere to any oral mucosal surface, such as the roof of the mouth or inside the cheek. The study confirmed can yield a "statistically significant improvement in baseline subjective and objective measures of dry mouth for up to 60 minutes and maybe longer after application."

The researcher also found that after two weeks of daily use, participants experienced a statistically significant improvement in baseline subjective and objective measures of salivary flow.

"One of the results was that after two weeks of use of the patch, the amount of saliva in the mouth had increased even during times when there was no patch in the mouth," says the study's lead author A. Ross Kerr, DDS, MSD, clinical associate professor at New York University College of Dentistry. "In other words, the patch would seem to have a cumulative beneficial effect," add Kerr.

Chronic xerostomia or dry mouth is an under-diagnosed condition that can have a bad effect on oral health. This condition was contributing to tooth decay, gum disease and chronic bad breath. It can be a symptom of other medical conditions, such as diabetes or Sjogren's Syndrome, and is also the result of radiation treatment for head and neck cancer, but it is most often a side effect of many prescription and over-the-counter medications taken daily.

Medical News Today: New Approach For Treating Dry Mouth Presented In JADA-Published Study

Hard To Quit, But Also Hard To Be Ex-Smoker

noreply@blogger.com (drg Ardyan Gilang Rahmadhan) — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 23:31:00 +0000

Smoking temptation does not diminish over time for those who are trying to kick the bad habit even for ex-smoker, new research suggested.

How come is that? Author Gillinder Bedi says, "When people are exposed to things that they associate with a drug they use, they often feel an increase in craving."

The new twist her team discovered is that the impact of such cues apparently does not weaken as the period of abstinence lengthens.

"This means that quitting smokers may find that they are surprised by having a strong craving response when they come into contact with cues related to smoking, even after they have gotten through the initial withdrawal," she added.

In this research, Bedi and her colleagues focused on 86 healthy male and female smokers who had not yet kicked the habit and weren't trying to do so.

They were divided into three groups: one instructed to stop smoking for a week; the second instructed to stop for two weeks; and the third instructed to stop for five weeks. As an incentive, they all were paid $30 a day to try to quit.

Each participant was exposed to a series of randomly presented cues designed to be either "neutral" or smoking-related on the last day of each group's abstinence period. The smoking-related cues included viewing photos of smoking situations while holding a lit cigarette, while the former involved viewing neutral photos while holding a pencil cut to the length of a cigarette.

Researcher found that cravings triggered by exposure to smoking-related cues actually increased the further down the abstinence road a former smoker went.

Cue-induced cravings were found to be more prevalent among the smokers at the five-week abstinence mark than among those asked to stop for just a week. Similarly, those exposed to smoking-related imagery along the way showed more cravings at the five-week point than at the two-week point.

As a result, the authors suggest that clinicians should consider the possibility that ex-smokers might actually face a more difficult long-term struggle with cravings than previously thought.

Dr. Adam O. Goldstein, director of University of North Carolina's Tobacco Intervention Programs in Chapel Hill, said that cues for cigarettes could be stronger than similar cues for alcohol and opiates.

"People underestimate these cues," said him. "That's one of the real take-home lessons of this kind of research. They are very powerful, and the return to smoking when these cues come can be rapid. But they are treatable."

"Coping strategies can moderate the effect of these kinds of cues," he explained. "Cognitive therapy can help. And people who plan for how to deal with those smoking-related cues do better than those who don't."

"There are also some pharmacologic interventions that work better than others," said him. "For example, some people should have some nicotine lozenges at hand, because if they get a smoking cue I'd much rather have that person pop a lozenge to relieve that cue than turn to a cigarette."

"The bottom line," Goldstein said, "is that we really have to follow people not just for three or six months but for a year, and even after a year to be on the lookout for a cue-induced relapse."

Health Day: For Ex-Smokers, Some Cigarette Cravings May Never Leave

Yummy Snack For Diabetic Person

noreply@blogger.com (drg Ardyan Gilang Rahmadhan) — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 22:10:00 +0000

Do you start hungry before meal time? Usually, people can have some snack to curb their hunger. But, this could be a big problem for you who got diabetes if you choose wrong choice of snack. If you got diabetes, you could also have snack without raising your blood sugar. How? Just like meals, snacks should be a combination of fat, protein, and carbohydrates. Aim for one that consists of 15 to 30 grams of carbohydrates and 100 to 200 calories (depending on your meal plan and medication). Here are five that typically get a seal of approval from diabetes educators and nutritionists.

Whole-grain crackers, grapes, and cottage cheese
Nutrient-rich whole grains like cracked wheat, whole wheat, rye, and quinoa can lower blood sugar and cholesterol. The cottage cheese adds protein to stabilize blood sugar, curb hunger pangs, and provide calcium for strong bones. But remember, whole wheat is quite different with wheat fluor. The whole grain should be your choice. Arrange on a small plate 2 crackers, 1/4 cup nonfat cottage cheese, and 1/4 cup grapes. Serving size: 2 crackers, 1/4 cup cottage cheese, and 1/4 cup grapes. Nutritional information--Calories: 138, Total Carbohydrate: 21.2 g (7 percent), Dietary Fiber: 1.5 g (6 percent), Sugars 11.9 g.

Homemade popcorn
Popcorn is high in fiber, and when made from scratch is an all-natural food without additives and artificial flavorings. Pour 1 tablespoon of mild-flavored oil such as canola into a heavy-bottomed medium-large pot. Cover the bottom of the pot with 1/2 cup of popcorn kernels spread in a thin layer. (If the kernels are too crowded, not all of them will pop.) Cover the pot and heat on medium, shaking the pot every minute or so until all of the kernels have popped. Take care not to cook too long, which could scorch the popped kernels. Sprinkle the popcorn with any of the following: 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon allspice, or 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese. Serving size: 1 cup. Nutritional information--Calories: 40, Total Carbohydrate: 5.8 g (2 percent), Dietary Fiber: 1.0 g (4 percent), Sugars 0.1 g.

Apples and cheese
Fruit is an important part of any diet, even for people with diabetes; it provides fiber and other important nutrients. The most important thing from fruits consumption is the portion, because fruit is naturally high in sugar. When adding fruit to your meal plan, choose fruits lower in natural sugars, such as berries, melon, and apples, and always choose smaller whole fruits (or cut larger fruits in half). The cheese adds protein to help stabilize blood sugar and curb hunger pangs, and provides calcium for strong bones. Cut and core 1 small apple into 4 wedges. Cut 1 slice of reduced-fat Cheddar cheese into 4 pieces and place on apple wedges. Serving size: 1 apple wedge and 1/4 slice cheese. Nutrition information--Calories: 30, Total Carbohydrate: 5.3 g (2 percent), Dietary Fiber: 0.8 g (3 percent), Sugars 3.8 g.

Black bean salad
Black beans are high in both protein and fiber, which help stabilize blood sugar and curb hunger pangs. Fiber can also help lower cholesterol level. Tomatoes and other veggies add a variety of important nutrients as well as fiber. Rinse a 15-ounce can of lowest-sodium black beans under running water and drain well. Mix the beans in a medium bowl with 1/2 cup chopped fresh tomatoes, 1/2 cup chopped cucumber or celery, 1/2 cup chopped green-bell pepper, and 1/4 cup peeled, cubed avocado. Stir in 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice, 1 clove minced fresh garlic (or 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder), 1/8 teaspoon salt, and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serving size: 1/2 cup salad. Nutrition information--Calories: 57, Total Carbohydrate: 10.6 g (4 percent), Dietary Fiber: 4.0 g (16 percent), Sugars 1.3 g.

Veggies and fresh yogurt dip
Raw vegetables are rich in minerals, vitamins, and enzymes. The yogurt adds protein to help stabilize blood sugar and curb hunger pangs, and provides calcium for strong bones. Cut some fresh veggies such as carrots, celery, or broccoli into dipping-size pieces to measure 1/2 cup. (Prepare extra veggies in advance and keep in small, serving-size storage containers in the fridge for another day.) Create a simple, healthy dip by stirring together one 8-ounce carton of plain nonfat yogurt, 2 teaspoons of minced fresh dill weed (or 1 teaspoon dried dill weed), 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serving size: 1/2 cup veggies and 2 tablespoons of dip. Nutrition information--Calories: 31, Total Carbohydrate: 5.5 g (2 percent of Daily Value), Dietary Fiber: 1.2 g (5 percent), Sugars: 3.6 g.

Source: huffingtonpost.com

Modern Superheroes Is A Bad Role Models For Boys

noreply@blogger.com (drg Ardyan Gilang Rahmadhan) — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 12:38:00 +0000

Modern-day superheroes to promote macho, violent stereotypes for boys, according to U.S. research psychologist. They are very different from the superheroes of yesterday, which has a more vulnerable side. The only alternative male role models in modern media are lazy people, who shirked responsibility, the study said.

Professor Sharon Lamb has surveyed 674 boys aged four to 18 to find out what they read and watch on TV and in movies. With his team at the University of Massachusetts, he then analyzed the type of male role models children were affected.

This study suggests two main types of people - the superhero aggressive or lazy people who do not even try. "There's a big difference in today's superhero movies and comic book superhero yesterday," said Professor Lamb.

"Superhero this day was too much like action heroes who participated in non-stop violence, he was aggressive, cynical and rarely speaks to the virtues of doing good for humanity."

"If not a superhero costume, men exploit women, showing off bling and convey their manhood by the high-powered rifle."

The boys could see up to learn from past comic book heroes outside their costumes because they were "real people with real problems and vulnerabilities of many".

He said another option for boys is being a slacker.

"Slacker's funny, but lazy is not what the boys had to fight for; lazy people do not like school and shirk their responsibilities."

"We want to know if the boys get the message about saving face through slacking glorified can affect their performance in school."

In the second presentation, Dr. Carlos Santos, from Arizona State University, examined the ability of 426 secondary school children 'to reject emotionally resilient, independent and physically tough - stereotypical images of masculinity.

He found that could withstand macho image - especially aggression and autonomy - the transition decreases as boys become teenagers, and this decline in their mental health put at risk. "Helping children since the beginning rejected this behavior seems to be an important step to improving health and quality of their social relationships."

Source: BBC

Acetaminophen Link To Asthma?

noreply@blogger.com (drg Ardyan Gilang Rahmadhan) — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 07:57:00 +0000

According to a study out Thursday, acetaminophen or also known as parasetamol may be responsible for as many as four in 10 cases wheezing and severe asthma in adolescents. While no one knows if the drug itself causes asthma, other report, published in conjunction with the first study, shows for the first time that many toddlers take acetaminophen before they develop symptoms of asthma such as wheezing.

"We have confirmed that the use of acetaminophen come first, so the more likely a causal relationship," said Dr Alemayehu Amberbir, from the University of Addis Ababa in Ethiopia and the University of Nottingham in England.

But large-scale clinical tests are necessary before you clean out your medicine cabinet, stressed Amberbir, findings published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
His team followed more than 1,000 babies in Ethiopia for three years. When infants turned one, the researchers asked the mothers if their babies breathing problems, and how much they are using acetaminophen.

Approximately eight percent of the children started to wheeze between ages one and three. Those who had been given acetaminophen during their first year - before they have difficulty breathing - it is up to seven times wheezing development opportunities.

The increase was maintained even after adjusting for fever and cough, which in principle can trigger both wheezing and use of painkillers. "What we have is more information and a strong association between acetaminophen use and asthma," said Dr Dipak Kanabar, who has written a guide on painkillers, but was not involved in the new study.

But Kanabar, a consultant pediatrician at the Evelina Children's Hospital in London, cautioned that considering the parents are not always accurate, which may affect the findings. "We must be careful when we advise parents to emphasize that this study does not mean that giving acetaminophen certainly will result in their child developing asthma," he said.

But if the link was real, could have a major impact on public health, according to another report in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

In that study, based on more than 320 000 teenagers from 50 countries, 11 percent of children have difficulty breathing - just slightly more than the percentage of American children who have asthma.
They are teenagers who took acetaminophen at least once a month - one third overall, and more than four in 10 Americans - twice the likelihood of their wheezing. They are also more likely to have nasal allergies and eczema skin condition, Dr. Richard W. Beasley, Medical Research Institute of New Zealand, and colleagues.
The researchers estimate that acetaminophen could potentially be responsible for up to four in 10 of all asthma symptoms, including heavy panting like getting up once a week or more.

McNeil Consumer Healthcare, Johnson & Johnson subsidiary that sells Tylenol, said in comments of their products "has more than 50 years of clinical history to support the safety and efficacy."

"Well-documented safety profile for both acetaminophen painkiller made for asthma sufferers a choice," the company said Reuters Health in an e-mail. The company says there is no gold-standard clinical trials showed "a causal link between acetaminophen and asthma."

However, Kanabar found in his review of medical literature that ibuprofen - another painkiller, is sometimes sold as Advil - apparently not trigger the wheezing of acetaminophen.

Ibuprofen, however, is not recommended in people with asthma, Kanabar said, and that the physician's most profitable Tylenol. Aspirin, painkillers other common, generally disappointed in children because it can cause short-term respiratory problems and other side effects are rare.

According Kanabar, analgesics dropped entirely possible a bad idea, and can cause the child feel worse and less drinking fluids, which can slow the recovery.
So who should painkillers parents choose if their child has a headache or fever - Tylenol or ibuprofen?
At this point, Kanabar said, "You can go for good."

Source: Reuters

Morning Sex To Wake Up Your Husband

noreply@blogger.com (drg Ardyan Gilang Rahmadhan) — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 16:30:00 +0000

Waking him up with sex? Well, its not a bad idea isn't it? It is much better than waking him up with a noisy alarm clock or maybe your shout. And it's more than just a pleasure, morning sex also give you other benefits. Debby Herbenick, Ph.D., author of Because It Feels Good, says, "having sex in the morning releases the feel-good chemical oxytocin, which makes couples feel loving and bonded all day long." It makes you stronger and more beautiful too: Morning sex can strengthen your immune system for the day by enhancing your levels of IgA, an antibody that protects against infection. And climaxing releases chemicals that boost levels of estrogen, which improves the tone and texture of your skin and hair. Here is the tips:

Give Him a Sexy Wake-Up Call
Set your alarm to play soft music, and as soon as you're roused, quietly slip out of your pj's. Then try this trick: If he's lying on his back, place your hands on his thighs with your thumbs pointing toward his genitals, suggests acupuncturist Alexis Arvidson. Move your thumbs in a slow, firm circular motion, two inches in diameter. According to the ancient teachings of acupuncture, rubbing this thin-skinned area will get the blood flowing straight to his nether regions. Well, isn't that convenient, since that's where you're headed next!

Enjoy the View
Part of what makes morning sex so deliciously primal is that, in the light of day, it's difficult to hide your so-called flaws. So let your insecurities take a backseat to pure, unadulterated pleasure, and instead of covering up under the blankets, throw them off so you can both get a visual thrill. He'll bask in the eye candy, and you will too: Studies conducted by Emory University found that women are just as visually aroused as men during sex.

Take Advantage of Nature
Your guy's body is hardwired to want sex first thing in the a.m. (hello, morning wood!). "While he sleeps, the testosterone he'll use for the upcoming day accumulates," says Gabrielle Lichterman, author of 28 Days. "From the time he wakes up, he has a three-hour window when he's brimming with peak levels." Don't let them go to waste: Hop aboard his primed body for some girl-on-top action.

Boost Your Animal Lust
As soon as you're awake, snuggle up to your guy and take a whiff. Because he hasn't showered yet, you'll feel extra turned on by his au naturel scent. According to scientists at the University of Pennsylvania, a man's musky underarm odor is a proven libido booster. Really, you can't make this stuff up!

Try a Cozy Move
Since you'll both be groggy, try a position that requires little to no effort: spooning. "While you're facing away from your guy, part your legs and guide him inside you," says New York City-based sex and marital therapist Jane Greer, Ph.D. "His hands will be free to roam all of your hot spots, and he can whisper in your ear."

Install a Double Showerhead
Taking a shower together sounds romantic and all, but let's get real: There's room under the water for only one person at a time. Fix that by getting a double showerhead (available at any home-goods store). Then crank up the water temp; heat brings blood to the skin's surface, making it more receptive to touch. And soap each other up with peppermint shower gel; the scent wakes you up as it triggers the same nerves that are activated by smelling salts, says research from Wheeling Jesuit University in West Virginia.

Have a Quickie
Sunrise sex doesn't have to be a drawn-out affair. In fact, "mornings are the perfect time to indulge in a quickie, because you'll probably be in a rush, and the heart-pounding adrenaline of spontaneous sex will intensify the entire experience," Greer says.

Pounce on him when he least expects it (say, while he's stepping out of the shower, getting dressed, or making breakfast). And you can ditch foreplay this time—studies published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine found that if women ignore outside distractions (for example, the television, their laptops), they can start to become aroused in 30 seconds flat. Keep in mind: Quickies don't necessarily have to include intercourse. A hot-and-heavy makeout session, copping a fast feel, or letting him catch you checking out his butt before you dash out the door for work will go a long way toward igniting your passion.

Source: womenshealthmag.com

Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)

noreply@blogger.com (drg Ardyan Gilang Rahmadhan) — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 13:19:00 +0000

Teasdale and Jennet were developing the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) in 1974. It was the first attempt to quantify the severity of head injury, and it still used until now.

Three variables included in GCS were best motor response, best verbal response, and eye opening. Best motor response is a reflection of the level of CNS function, best verbal response shows the CNS’s ability to integrate information, and eye opening is a function of brainstem activity.

Scores range from 3 to 15, with a higher number representing an increased degree of patient's consciousness. The use of the letter T designates that the patient was intubated at the time of the examination.

From a prospective multicenter study, patients who had an admission GCS of 9 or less correlated with higher mortality rates, regardless of center volume, mechanism of injury, or treatment. Therefore, this system can be used to predict outcomes. The GCS has weaknesses in that it does not take into account focal or lateralizing signs, diffuse metabolic processes, or intoxication.

Glasgow Coma Scale:

Eye opening:
Spontaneously = 4
To speech = 3
To pain = 2
None = 1

Motor response:
Obeys = 6
Localizes pain = 5
Withdraws from pain = 4
Flexion to pain = 3
Extension to pain = 2
None = 1

Verbal response:
Oriented = 5
Confused = 4
Inappropriate = 3
Incomprehensible = 2
None = 1

Patient's score determines category of neurologic impairment:
15 = normal
13-14 = mild injury
9-12 = moderate injury
3-8 = severe injury

Source: Miloro, M.; et.al. 2004. Peterson's Principles of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Ontario: BC Decker Inc.

Health Warning For Samsung 3D TV

noreply@blogger.com (drg Ardyan Gilang Rahmadhan) — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Recently, Samsung introduce the first 3D TV in the world. But it seems now they also issuing the health warnings from this product. So before you buy this new technology to your family, just make sure you know all the health risks.

These are the health warnings for 3D TV:

Some viewers may experience an epileptic seizure or stroke when exposed to certain flashing images or lights contained in certain television pictures or video games. If you or any of your family has a history of epilepsy or stroke, please consult with a medical specialist before using the 3D function.
If you experience any of the following symptoms, immediately stop watching 3D pictures and consult a medical specialist: (1) altered vision; (2) lightheadedness; (3) dizziness; (4) involuntary movements such as eye or muscle twitching; (5) confusion; (6) nausea; (7) loss of awareness; (8) convulsions; (9) cramps; and/or (10) disorientation. Parents should monitor and ask their children about the above symptoms as children and teenagers may be more likely to experience these symptoms than adults.
Viewing in 3D mode may also cause motion sickness, perceptual after effects, disorientation, eye strain, and decreased postural stability. It is recommended that users take frequent breaks to lessen the likelihood of these effects. If you have any of the above symptoms, immediately discontinue use of this device and do not resume until the symptoms have subsided.
We do not recommend watching 3D if you are in bad physical condition, need sleep or have been drinking alcohol.
Watching TV while sitting too close to the screen for an extended period of time may damage your eyesight. The ideal viewing distance should be at least three times the height of the TV screen. It is recommended that the viewer's eyes are level with the screen.
Watching TV while wearing 3D Active Glasses for an extended period of time may cause headaches or fatigue. If you experience a headache, fatigue or dizziness, stop watching TV and rest.
Do not use the 3D Active Glasses for any purpose other than viewing 3D television. Wearing the 3D Active Glasses for any other purpose (as general spectacles, sunglasses, protective goggles, etc.) may physically harm you or weaken your eyesight.
Viewing in 3D mode may cause disorientation for some viewers. DO NOT place your television near open stairwells, cables, balconies or other objects that may cause you to injure yourself.

Source: Samsung

Protaper Instrument Manual

noreply@blogger.com (drg Ardyan Gilang Rahmadhan) — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 15:37:00 +0000

Protaper instrument was made to provide flexibility and efficiency to achieve consistently successful cleaning and shaping results. With Protaper instrument, root canal preparation are relatively easier and faster. Follow this guideline to use Protaper instrument.

Guidelines:

Establish straight line access
Carefully flare the orifice(s) with gates glidden drills
Use instruments in a well irrigated and lubricated canal
Create a smooth glide path with small hand files
Clean flutes frequently and inspect for signs of distortion
Use SX to create more shape, as desired, in the coronal two-thirds Use instruments with recommended motion.

Manual ProTaper Handle Motion:

Lightly engage dentin by gently rotating the handle clockwise until the file is just snug
Disengage the file by rotating the handle counterclockwise 45-90 degrees
Cut dentin by rotating the handle clockwise while simultaneously withdrawing the file
Repeat handle motions until desired length is achieved
Depending on the anatomy, Potaper files can be used as described above or by reciprocating the handle in a back and forth motion.

The ProTaper Technique:

Fill the pulp chamber with either Protaper Glyde or Sodium Hypochlorite (NaOCl) for all initial negotiation procedures. Explore the coronal two-thirds of the canal with stainless steel No. 10 and 15 hand files, using a reciprocating back and forth motion. Work these instruments passively and progressively until they are loose.
Start the Protaper sequence with S1 (purple). The apical extent of S1 will passively follow the portion of the canal secured with hand files. S1 is designed to cut dentin, in a crown down manner, with its bigger, stronger and more active blades. Irrigate, recapitulate with the 10K File to break up debris and then re-irrigate.
In more difficult canals, one, two or three recapitulations with S1 may be necessary to pre-enlarge the coronal two-thirds of the canal. Frequently clean the blades, then continue using this file until it reaches the depth of the 15 hand file. Irrigate, recapitulate and then re-irrigate.
Once the pre-enlargement procedure is finished, use a precurved No. 10K File in the presence of NaOCl or Glyde to negotiate the rest of the canal and to establish patency. Determine working length with No. 15K File.
When a smooth glide path to the terminus is verified, sequentially carry first S1 then S2 to the full working length. Remember to irrigate, recapitulate and re-irrigate after each Protaper instrument.
With the canal flooded with irrigant, work the F1 to length in one or more passes. If the F1 ceases to advance deeper into the canal, remove the file, clear its blades, then continue with its use until it reaches length. Irrigate, recapitulate and re-irrigate.
Following the use of F1 to length, gauge the foramen with a 20 hand file. If the 20 hand file is snug at length, the canal is shaped and ready to fill. If the 20 hand file is loose at length, proceed to the F2 and, when necessary, the F3, gauging after each Finisher with the 25 and 30 hand files, respectively.

Source: Dentsply

Preinjection Anesthetics Comparisson Between Refrigerant and Topical Anesthetic Gel

noreply@blogger.com (drg Ardyan Gilang Rahmadhan) — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 01:19:00 +0000

Many different strategies have been used to minimize the pain experienced during administration of dental anesthetic injection, such as topical anesthetic, applying pressure to the injection site, vibrating the surrounding tissue while administering the injection, using a mechanical delivery system, and the use of refrigerant as preinjection anesthetic.

Topical anesthetic is widely used to prepared the injecton site and is recommended to decrease pain. The effectiveness of intraoral topical anesthetics with different formulations and concentrations in reducing injection pain have been documented by multiple studies. The results of other studies have shown that the benefit of using topical anesthetic is inconclusive when it is compared with placebos or other methods.

The effectiveness of other alternatives such as applying pressure to the injection site and vibrating the surrounding tissue while administering the injection, however, is limited. The use of a mechanical anesthetic delivery system is effective, but it has a slower anesthetic application time and higher cost of equipment than does an injection with a syringe.

The use of a refrigerant such as ice stick and a refrigerant spray to reduce the pain experienced during administration of a maxillary palatal injection has been described in technique articles in the dental literature. Refrigerant spray could contain dichlorodifluoromethane, 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane, or 1,1,1,2 tetrafluoroethane.

In their study, Dr. Kosaraju and Dr. Vandewalle try to determine the effectiveness of a refrigerant compared with that of a topical anesthetic gel in reducing the pain experienced during a posterior palatal anesthetic injection.

Sixteen participants received a five-second application of a refrigerant (1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane/1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane) and a two-minute application of a topical anesthetic gel (20 percent benzocaine gel) in the posterior palatal area before an injection of a local anesthetic solution was administered with a 30-gauge needle. Participants rated the pain they experienced after each injection by using a 100-millimeter visual analog scale (VAS) with endpoints of "no pain" and "worst possible pain." The authors calculated VAS scores by measuring the distance in millimeters from the no pain end of the scale. They analyzed data with a paired t test ({alpha} = .05).

From the result, they found that the use of a refrigerant as a preinjection anesthetic was more effective compared with the use of a topical anesthetic gel in reducing the pain experienced by participants who received a posterior palatal injection. Decreased application time and ease of application could be another benefit from refrigerant compared to topical anesthetic.

Source:
Kosaraju, A; and Vandewalle, K.S. 2009. A Comparison of a Refrigerant and a Topical Anesthetic Gel as Preinjection Anesthetics. J Am Dent Assoc, 140(1): 68-72.

How To Differentiate "Normal Chronic Pain" and Fibromyalgia?

noreply@blogger.com (drg Ardyan Gilang Rahmadhan) — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 13:45:00 +0000

Sometimes we have to face with pain in our body, whether it’s a headache, muscle stiffness, or an upset stomach. And sometimes, some peoples have to face it more frequently, like migraine sufferers or those with irritable bowel syndrome. And there are also people with fibromyalgia, a chronic pain disorder whose often debilitating symptoms overlap with many other diseases. So, how to differentiate between "normal chronic pain" and fibromyalgia?

If you’ve felt any unexplained pain recently, maybe you should wonder whether you might suffer from fibromyalgia. Between 80% and 90% of those diagnosed with fibromyalgia are women. Diagnosis can be tricky, but experts say that with the right information, it is possible to find the true cause of your pain, whether it’s fibro or something else, and get the treatment you need. Here are some symptoms that you shoud be concern about:

Headaches
Any number of factor could be the cause of headaches. In rare case, headaches could be also as an indicator of a more serious health condition. More often, headaches are temporary and not dangerous, and can be treated with over-the-counter pain medication or by addressing an underlying issue, dehydration or sinus problems, for example.

Peoples who suffer from fibromyalgia, however, can suffer from constant headaches. The key word is constant, meaning daily. And this symptom are combined with other fibromyalgia symptoms below.

Memory problems
Memory problems and inability to concentrate can be linked to sleep deprivation, attention disorders, Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, or just simply being overworked and overstressed.

People with fibromyalgia could also experience this problem as well. Research has shown that fibromyalgia is associated with a decrease in “gray matter” tissue in areas of the brain that are involved in memory and cognition.

Pain all over your body
Some conditions like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, can initially cause a feeling of widespread pain. But this only involved the joints. Those persons really should see a rheumatologist or someone who specializes in rheumatic or musculoskeletal disorders to make sure they don’t have arthritis.

Chronic pain that is exclusively in the muscles, on the other hand, can sometimes be polymyalgia rheumatica.

But, if the pain persistent on all over your body, in your muscles and joints, you are experienced the number-one symptom of fibromyalgia. Some peoples said that it feels like a bruise that covers your entire body.

Upset stomach
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is characterized by stomach cramping, bloating, and diarrhea or constipation. IBS could be triggered by stress, hormonal changes, certain foods, or even antibiotics, and it can be treated with diet and lifestyle changes and with medication.

Peoples with fibromyalgia could also have these symptoms like in IBS. But, they are combined with other symptoms that we mentioned above.

Bladder pain
Experts are increasingly recognizing the role that chronic bladder pain may play in fibromyalgia. Symptoms include pain in the bladder or pelvic region accompanied by feeling the need to urinate frequently.

If these symptoms are short-lived, the most likely culprit is an easily treated bladder or urinary tract infection. Or, if the only symptom is the urge to urinate, the condition is called overactive bladder syndrome. When combined with all-over chronic pain, bladder pain may be a component of fibromyalgia.

Insomnia
Many peoples are suffered from insomnia. And there are plenty of reasons why you may not be getting a good night’s sleep. One of them if fibromyalgia.

If you suffer from serious fatigue that limits your daily activities, accompanied by difficulties with concentration and memory, and chronic pain, you have the three most significant symptoms of fibromyalgia.

Source: Health.com

Fitness and Diet Secrets from Carrie Underwood

noreply@blogger.com (drg Ardyan Gilang Rahmadhan) — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 06:27:00 +0000

Hollywood celebrity...most all of them have a good looking and great body curve. One of them is American Idol winner, Carrie Underwood, has some workout and diet secrets to share with us.

1. Eat for energy. “If I eat too much before a show, I just want to sit down. Too little, and I’m starving. So I eat something small, like Quorn, a tasty meat-free protein, and green beans.”

2. Keep a food diary. Carrie has been tracking her intake for three years! She counts her calories on a regular basis, to see how it all adds up. “Once you realize, it’s like, ‘No wonder I’ve plateaued! No wonder I’ve been gaining weight!’” she says. “Little things really do add up.”

3. Enjoy your favorite foods, healthfully. In 2007 Carrie told SELF “My food indulgences are pizza, and I love… cheese. I have a big problem controlling myself with the cheese.” Two years later, it looks like she found a way to have her pizza and eat it too! Here’s her recipe favorite formula for a healthy, 250-calorie personal pizza: 1 Flatout wrap with 1/4 cup sauce, 1/2 cup fat-free or 2% cheese and loaded up with veggies.

4. Cut the sugar. “My sugar intake is way down, and I have a lot fewer breakouts. Now when I drink tea, it’s unsweetened. Or I’ll have water,” the start told SELF. “Also, I’m off soda. For so long, I’d have a Diet Coke with breakfast!”

Sure, you can probably tone up pretty quickly taking a Louisville slugger to headlights and slashing tires but it turns out that is not the way country idol Carrie Underwood maintains her rockin’ bod. Here are some of the slim and sexy superstar’s favorite fitness secrets:

1.) Make exercise accessible. “I have Exercise TV on cable. Jillian Michaels’s videos will kick your butt. She’s my trainer, and she doesn’t even know it!”

2.) Work toward an event. “Everybody has things they want to look nice for: anniversary, birthday, reunion. I’ll think to myself, Oh, that award show is coming up. Or, I have a photo shoot in four days! It’s nice to set goals.”

3.) Revel in success. “I love it when I feel good about myself. I’ll look at a photo and think, My arms look great!–and then I go work out my arms. Once you’re enjoying things about your body, you realize how much you want to keep them that way or make them better.”

4.) Favorite ab improver: “When I gain weight, it’s in the spare-tire area. I’ve told trainers abs are a physical impossibility for me. And every single time, they’re like, ‘Well, we’ll get you abs!’ So do I have them? No! But they’re as flat as they’re probably going to get. Push-ups work out everything. If you do them right, you’ll feel it in your abs. I do four sets of 10 to 20.”

Source: Carrie Underwood’s Diet Secrets and Workout Tips

Infant Tooth Mutilation Practice in Africa

noreply@blogger.com (drg Ardyan Gilang Rahmadhan) — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 08:24:00 +0000

There are mistaken belief in much of eastern Africa such as Uganda, Sudan, Tanzania, Kenya, Somalia Ethiopia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, that tooth buds are worms. They believed that these "tooth worms" are parasitic and fever-causing and must be taken out.

How do they taken this tooth buds? Primitive methods of gouging out baby teeth includes knives, bicycle spokes, fingernails or any instrument on which they can lay their hands. This mutilation practice is often carried out by village healers for a fee. It is also performed by parents, community elders and even midwives. The tragedy is that they believe that they are helping to cure the child.

Instead of being healthy, infants often suffer from future facial disfigurement, damage to the gums and the permanent teeth following the removal of their health deciduous teeth. In one region of Uganda, infant deaths due to septicaemia and other infectious diseases, following IOM, are reported to be second only to malaria as a cause of infant mortality.

One of dental charity Dentaid's major drives is to bring to the attention of the western dental world to this shocking and barbaric practice of infant oral mutilation (IOM).

Andy Jong explains, ‘It is a shocking practice and Dentaid is committed to working towards ways of eradicating this. We have a very active IOM action group and we're testing some educational resources in the field and building up a map showing incidences where this has been observed.'

He adds, ‘One of the most serious problems of IOM is that the misdiagnosis of “tooth worms” as the cause of the illness means missing the real reason that the child is ill. Many illnesses that could be cured if caught early on may well cause much more serious illness or potentially death if left undiagnosed and untreated.'

More recently, there have been several reports of children being presented in Western clinics, raising the question of this practice potentially occurring in migrant populations.

Source: Tooth worms and mutilation

Bone Loss Around Dental Implants Are Now More Common

noreply@blogger.com (drg Ardyan Gilang Rahmadhan) — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 09:06:00 +0000

Thesis from the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, revealed that bone loss around dental implants is far more common than previously realised. About one in four patients loose some degree of supporting bone around their implants.

From 600 patients X-rays analysis, they found that more implants a patient had in the jaw, the more common it was to find loss of supporting bone. And over a quarter 28 per cent of patients had lost some degree of supporting bone around their implants.

Christer Fransson, dental surgeon consultant said, "Contrary to what we had previously assumed, the bone loss in these patients was not linear, but instead accelerated with time." It is important to detect and treat bone loss around implants at an early stage, said him.

One of several factors that increase the risk of bone loss is smoking. In the study smokers had more implants with bone loss than non-smokers.

The study also shows that the soft tissues surrounding an implant with bone loss is often inflamed. "In that way we can notice early signs of inflammation and treat it before the bone loss has any serious consequences," said Fransson.

Source: One In Four Patients Have Lost Bone Around Their Implants

Quit Smoking Without Gaining Too Much Weight

noreply@blogger.com (drg Ardyan Gilang Rahmadhan) — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 04:22:00 +0000

Four out of five peoples who quitting smoking are gaining some weight, maybe about 4 pounds to 10 pounds on average. But, quitters usually do get back to a normal weight, especially when the focus is on stopping smoking first. So, how do you maintain your weight while you're quitting smoke?

Some reasons why quitters ussually gain weight.

Smoking burns calories.
Smoking increases your metabolism and elevates your heart rate. when you quit, you burn about 100 fewer calories a day. It can take weeks or months for your metabolism to rebound after you quit smoking.

Smoking suppresses hunger.
Nicotine raises your blood-sugar level slightly and suppresses appetite. Until your metabolism adjusts, expect to gain about a pound a week.

Smoking makes you feel good.
Nicotine increases the levels of dopamine (a chemical associated with pleasure) in the brain. High-calorie foods (candy, cookies) and alcohol produce much the same effect. So after quitting, you may be tempted to replace cigarettes with them. This mechanism may explain why bupropion (Zyban), an antidepressant that works on the brain’s dopamine system, has shown to be helpful for smoking cessation.

Smoking gives you something to do with your hands and mouth.
So does eating. Eating makes you feel less deprived by your decision to quit.

Foods have better taste and smell.
Smoking dulls your taste buds. After you quit smoking, food begins to taste and smell better, so you may find yourself wanting to eat more.

Smoking is reliable when other things are not.
People use both cigarettes and food as a way to deal with boredom or stress, as a reward, or as a crutch in social situations.

How to control your weight after quitting.

Conquer your smoking triggers.
For example, if you were used to smoking after a meal, get up from the table and brush your teeth instead.

Sidetrack that oral fixation.
Experts recommend chewing celery, carrots, sugar-free gum or candies, or playing with a straw or toothpick.

Try cognitive-behavioral therapy.
This can help you focus on taking care of yourself—quitting first and then working on weight control.

Smaller portion but frequent.
It will increase your metabolism and avoid getting so hungry that you overeat.

Protein and fiber.
Eat high-protein, high-fiber foods because they fill up your stomach more.

Exercise.
Instead of going to smoke or grab a high callories snack, take a walk or go to the gym. Keep in mind that moderate exercise, such as a walk during lunch, will actually decrease your appetite, because as you exercise fat breaks down and enters your bloodstream. The extra muscle mass you gain by exercising will also help increase your metabolism, not to mention that exercise helps you deal with stress, boredom, and tension.

Source: How to Quit Smoking Without Gaining (Much) Weight

Restless Leg Syndrom Linked To Erectile Dysfunction

noreply@blogger.com (drg Ardyan Gilang Rahmadhan) — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 04:13:00 +0000

New research suggest that men with restless leg syndrome are more likely to have erectile dysfunction, although it's not clear how this two conditions are related.

The study author, Dr. Xiang Gao, said, "There is an association, but we don't know which one comes first." If researchers do discover how they're connected, it could lead to more effective treatments, he said.

Restless leg syndrome "afflicts a significant portion of our population and in a minority of cases can cause insomnia and other important consequences," said Dr. Robert Vorona, an associate professor at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Virginia.

Vorona also said that some evidence suggests it's related to reduced levels of iron and the neurotransmitter known as dopamine in the brain. Those who have the neurological disorder complain of an almost irresistible urge to move their legs.

Another sleep disorder or sleep apnea, also has been linked to erectile dysfunction. And patients with erectile problems appear to do better when their sleep apnea is treated.

And for this current study, it makes sense that the two conditions might be linked "on a physiological basis," perhaps through dopamine.

Indeed, dopamine has been linked to both restless leg syndrome and erectile dysfunction. Dopamine plays an important role in many aspects of human health.

Source: Restless Legs Linked to Erectile Dysfunction

One Step Closure To Engineering Tooth Enamel

noreply@blogger.com (drg Ardyan Gilang Rahmadhan) — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 12:40:00 +0000

We knew that teeth enamel can not regrow or repair themselves if they get damaged. But now, scientists have founded a simple amino acid that could be the clues on how to engineer tooth enamel.

This amino acid is called proline, and it is repeated in the centre of proteins found in tooth enamel. When the repeats are long, such as in humans, they contract groups of molecules that help enamel crystals grow. When the repeats are short, such as in frogs, teeth don't have the enamel prisms that provide strength, the researchers explained.

'We hope that one day, these findings will help people replace lost parts of the tooth with a healthy layer of new enamel,' said Tom Diekwisch, the lead researcher professor and head of oral biology at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry. But this finding may also give benefits beyond the teeth.

Diekwisch added, 'Proline repeats are amazing. They hold the key to understanding the structure and function of many natural proteins, including mucins, antifreeze proteins, Alzheimer's amyloid and prion proteins. We hope that our findings will help many other important areas of scientific research, including the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.'

Source: New findings may aid engineering of tooth enamel

How Alanis Morissette Take A Deal With Her Depression

noreply@blogger.com (drg Ardyan Gilang Rahmadhan) — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 04:13:00 +0000

Singer and songwriter Alanis Morissette has been struggling with depression in her whole life. But now, Alanis found an effective way to deal with it. Maybe her tips can help you too.

The Grammy-winning singer tells Runner's World that "running has made being depressed impossible. If I'm going through something emotional and just go outside for a run, you can rest assured I'll come back with clarity."

Yes, now Morissette has been running a healthy lifestyle, including eating lots of kale and she also has run two marathons. But she still occasionally indulges "in red wine, and it's fun to have medical marijuana once in a while," she says. "I still party and include a little debauchery."

Morissette ran the two marathons for charity and did November's New York City Marathon with Edward Norton on behalf of the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust. In October, she did the Bizz Johnson Trail Marathon through Lassen National Forest in California, representing the National Eating Disorders Association.

To ease aching muscles, she takes ibuprofen. But after a long run she sits in an ice bath to "get that inflammation down. It's not too pleasant, but you get used to it."

She adds that she was once a "hard core" swimmer who trained seven days a week. Sometimes she struggles with the motivation to run. "But I tie my laces, put on a tight bra and get out there like a little robot. The first 10 minutes are excruciating, but soon I get into the flow."

"I struggled with eating disorders, especially in my teens," she says, "but I've noticed when I treat my body like an instrument instead of an ornament, my relationship with food completely changes."

Source: Alanis Morissette Gets High from Running – and the Occasional Joint

Regrowing Bone With Dental Stem Cells

noreply@blogger.com (drg Ardyan Gilang Rahmadhan) — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 13:14:00 +0000

Dental stem cell research has moved from the laboratory to human clinical trials. In this first clinical study, human mandible bone were reconstructed with autologous dental pulp stem cells. This research was published in the November issue of the European Cells and Materials Journal.

The repair and regeneration of bone is particularly significant for the oral maxillofacial area. By repairing these bones, it will aid in orofacial functions like speech, chewing, swallowing and facial expressions. But this repairing process are extremely intricate and complex.

Dr. David Matzilevich, M.D., Ph.D., Science Advisor to StemSave (the market leader in the field of stem cell recovery and cryo-preservation), said "These clinical studies are so significant because autologous dental stem cells were expanded in vitro and for the purpose of oro-maxillofacial bone repair. These cells also facilitated the graft, eliminating immunologic complications such as rejection or excessive inflammation."

"This is compelling because it creates an environment which proves to be more favorable and successful for new mandibular bone to grow. This approach also appears superior to current methodologies utilizing cadaverous tissue or grafting tissue from another part of the body. I am very excited that dental stem cells have emerged as critical players in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine now that they have been proven to differentiate into multiple lineages," said him.

Art Greco, CEO of StemSave, Inc., said that from this clinical study we could use patient's own stem cells harvested from their teeth not just only for repairing bone, but also for more number of applications to treat a broad array of disease, trauma and injury. And because dental stem cells are easy to recover as part of routine dental procedures, this represents the first of many upcoming uses in the field of personal and regenerative medicine and supports the wisdom of banking our own stem cells from our teeth.

Source: First Ever Clinical Study Shows Dental Stem Cells Regrow Bone

These 3 Things Make Your Skin Looks Old

noreply@blogger.com (drg Ardyan Gilang Rahmadhan) — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 04:29:00 +0000

If your mom's skin aged poorly, you are going to age poorly too. It is in your genes. But while you can't run away from your genes, you can control certain factors to keep your skin looking younger for longer.

A new study of twins from researchers at Case Western Reserve Medical School in Cleveland showed that smoking, being overweight and not using sunscreen all take an additional toll on sun-damaged skin.

According to the authors, long-term sun exposure causes physical and structural changes to the skin that damages the skin. But while usual skin aging is characterized by the development of fine wrinkles and skin growths, sun-damaged skin includes more coarsely wrinkled skin, spots of extra pigment or lost pigment and dilated blood vessels on the face.

The researchers said that 40 percent of aging-related changes are due to lifestyle or environmental factors, not only from a person's genetics. This new study in twins seems to show that.

In this study, reseachers collected data on 65 pairs of twins (both identical and fraternal) who attended the 2002 annual Twin Days Festival in Twinsburg, Ohio. They asked each participant about skin type, history of skin cancer, smoking, drinking habits and weight.

The overweight-wrinkle connection isn't so obvious. Often, weight makes people look older but it can also hide skin damage as the weight fills out their face. They won't look as wrinkly because the fat on their face is plumping out their skin.

The team also find that the skin cancer rate among the twins was found to be higher than it is in the general population.

The author wrote that the Twins Days Festival provides a rare opportunity to study a large number of twin pairs to control for genetic susceptibility. The relationships found between smoking, weight, sunscreen use, skin cancer and photodamage in these twin pairs may help to motivate the reduction of risky behaviors.

Sun, Smoke, Extra Weight Add Years to Skin

The First Eco-Friendly Toothbrush

noreply@blogger.com (drg Ardyan Gilang Rahmadhan) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 06:26:00 +0000

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency's 2006 estimation, an average citizen used two gallons of water everyday just for brushing their teeth and oral hygiene. A new revolutionary toothbrush could preserve this water use.

The Aqua Free Toothbrush made its debut at the Greater New York Dental Meeting and Convention earlier this month in front of 57,000 healthcare professionals.

This toothbrush contains a special liquid that flows from a built-in tank in the handle to the bristles to clean the teeth. Unlike toothpaste, this special liquid does not need to be rinsed so we can save the use of water everytime we brushing our teeth.

It could potentially improve the hygiene of the two billion people in the world who don't have access to sanitary water. In the upcoming months, over 100,000 free brushes will be gave to local schoolchildren in New York city and Long Island to conserve over two million gallons of water a day.

Source: Eco-friendly toothbrush launched

The First Gum Disease Vaccine

noreply@blogger.com (drg Ardyan Gilang Rahmadhan) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 06:04:00 +0000

A new vaccine that will treat periodontitis for the first time is being developed. This vaccine will be available to dentist office if human trial study are a success.

The vaccine in is the advanced stages of development and is sealing a deal with a global vaccine maker that would initially support further and expanded research, said Australian drug makers CSL. An experimental vaccine is being trialled in mice and, if successful, will proceed to clinical trials in humans within three to four years.

According to the company's chief scientific officer, Dr Andrew Cuthbertson, this study has taken over 10 years to develop the vaccine to this stage.

"CSL is pleased to advise of an agreement with Sanofi Pasteur to undertake a funded program to develop a vaccine for the treatment of periodontal disease caused by Porphyromonas gingivalis," said him.

He also said that the research could also now be expanded to incorporate an antibiotic gel, to be developed alongside a vaccine, for the treatment of those with existing infection.

The research has been continuing in a collaboration between the University of Melbourne and CSL, under the Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Oral Health Science.

Professor Eric Reynolds, who is head of the university's dental school and chief of the CRC, said the development of specific products to kill off the bacteria or prevent the gum infection would be a significant oral health breakthrough.

"Periodontitis is a serious disease and dentists face a major challenge treating it, because most people will not know they have the disease until it's too late," said him.

Source: First ever gum disease vaccine underway