Monday, January 25, 2010

BAD BREATH - Don't live with it, treat it

No one wants BAD BREATH (HALITOSIS), but everyone gets it—or at least worries about it—at one time or another. Here are some things you can do to keep bad breath to a minimum: 



  • Eliminate the bacteria and food particles that can cause bad breath. Floss, then brush your teeth, gums and tongue after each meal. Make this easier by keeping floss, toothpaste and a toothbrush in your desk, your purse and your car.
  • If you can't brush and floss, rinse your mouth with water after eating to dislodge food and moisten your mouth.
  • Have your teeth cleaned and examined by a dental professional twice a year.
  • If you are certain you have bad breath, seek out a Houston dentist who offers specialized treatment in that area.
  • Learn the proper way to brush and practice what you learn.
  • Drink lots of liquids, preferably water, to keep your mouth moist.
  • If your mouth feels dry, chew sugarless gum to stimulate production of saliva.
  • You can also chew on raw parsley—it's a natural breath freshener.
  • Baking soda is an effective odor eliminator; if you can handle the taste, try brushing with a mixture of baking soda and water. Or try a toothpaste that contains baking soda.
  • Try rinsing your mouth for one minute with a 50-50 mixture of hydrogen peroxide and warm water to kill odor-causing bacteria.
  • Avoid mouthwashes that contain alcohol; read the label! Instead, try a mouthwash that contains chlorine dioxide. This compound doesn't just mask odor, it actually eliminates it at the source by attacking the odor-causing volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs).
  • Snack on raw vegetables such as carrots, celery and red peppers. This stimulates production of saliva, and some American dentists believe it can help to remove plaque from your teeth.
  • To avoid stress-related dry mouth, practice "conscious relaxation" in stressful situations: breathe deeply, visualize peaceful settings, recognize parts of your body that feel tense and consciously relax them. If you can't get past the stress, chew sugarless gum or mints to keep the salivary glands going.
  • If you wear dentures or a retainer, clean them frequently, and periodically soak them in an antiseptic solution.
Bad breath that's resistant to these remedies, or that continues for an extended period of time, should be evaluated by our Shalby dentists.
You don't have to live with bad breath. Recognize it, treat it, then kiss it goodbye!

Friday, January 22, 2010

Know BOTOX better


It happens to every woman at some point. You look in the mirror and there, staring back at you, is your mother.

Let’s face it: We all age, and the passage of time is bound to show itself on your skin in the form of lines, wrinkles and discoloration. The good news is, today’s scientific advances give us options our mothers never had for reducing the signs of aging on our skin. The only question is, which option is right for you? One of the most popular ways to shadow your aging signs is BOTOX.


Let's know these facts, which I am sure most beauty conscious women aren't aware of :)

  • Botox is a neurotoxin [neuro means nerve; toxin means poison] that temporarily paralyzes muscles in your face.
  • Botox is derived from the same botulin toxin that is found in spoiled foods. Doctors use a sterile and purified form of this toxin when administering Botox injections.
  • Botox injections cost up to $500 or more. The effects are not permanent. Over time, the body gradually absorbs the substance and the procedure must be repeated every 3-6 months.
  • The FDA has approved Botox for use only on a limited area between the eyebrows and for its non cosmetic benifits. Botox is administered only for wrinkles and does not reduce other age-related symptoms such as age spots and facial discoloration.
  • Improper injection has been linked to droopy eyelids. Other reported side effects include nausea fatigue, malaise, flu and rashes.
  • Botox is not recommended for pregnant women, women who are breastfeeding, people with neuromuscular disorders or cardiovascular disease.
  • There have been no conclusive studies about the long-term side effects of Botox.
Areas of BOTOX application are:




To know more on Botox therapy, write to us on info@shalby.org

Ever thought, How Toothpaste Works?




It is a well established belief that brushing daily strengthens our teeth and makes them healthier and we use it daily never even wondering how it actually works, isn’t that surprising?
One must know not only the mechanism of action of a toothpaste but also the role of individual ingredients which will help in choosing an effective toothpaste. The mechanism of toothpaste action is as follows:
Abrasive Action: The abrasive agent in the toothpaste physically removes the solid particles in the oral cavity by abrasive action. It also helps in removing food stains and polishing tooth surface. It is an established fact that Tooth Powders have almost twice the abrasive action of toothpaste.
Antiseptic Action: The toothpaste contains antimicrobial agents such as Xylitol which inhibit the growth of bacteria in the mouth which is especially helpful in gingivitis.
Action of fluoride: Fluoride is an important aspect of a toothpaste. It replaces the hydroxypatite of tooth with fluoropatite which is not only much stronger but also resistant to caries.
IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER WHILE USING A TOOTHPASTE
  • Never swallow toothpaste as this can cause fluoride toxicity. Kids should be especially instructed against this.
  • Don’t use toothpaste for pimples or zits excessively. Although it does seem to help, there are no studies that rule out possible side effects or dangers. People with sensitive skin are prone to burns and irritation on using them.
  • You should brush for 2-3 minutes. Brushing vigorously for long duration does more harm than good.

If you have any queries / questions regarding Oral Health please write to info@shalby.org or visit www.shalby.org

Monday, January 11, 2010

SNEEZING - Is it all that simple?


SNEEZE FACTS


1. Sneezing’s official name is sternutation.
The word sternutation is not a major medical procedure, but it’s really just another way of saying sneezing. However you say it, the method remains the same. When something tickles the nose lining, the nerves located there send a signal to the brain, which initiates a chain of messages to other parts of the body–chest, abdomen, face, eyelids, the mucus glands in the nose, even the sphincter–that work together to expel the irritant. When we fall asleep, those nerves are at rest, which is why we don’t sneeze while we snooze.



2. We can’t sneeze and keep our eyes open–and no one knows why.
Scientists are still unclear as to why our eyes reflexively close during a sneezing episode. Some believe that it’s an evolutionary adaptation meant to protect our eyes from whatever particles come flying out of our noses and mouths when we sneeze. Others claim it’s just one of many muscle contractions that take place during the progression. And the old wives’ tale about eyelids closing to keep the eyes from popping out is impossible. While a hearty sneeze can put a good amount of pressure behind one’s eyes, it’s not enough to do that kind of damage.

3. Sneezes travel fast and furiously.
One person’s sneeze can travel up to one hundred miles per hour. The particles and spit emitted when we sneeze can travel up to five feet away, making it all the more important to cover our mouths and noses to protect innocent bystanders. Even if no one’s standing right next to us, the bacteria sent into the air by our expulsion can spread up to 150 feet away. You could be walking down the street through someone’s sneeze bacteria and not even know it, so just think about that the next time you fail to reach for a handkerchief.



4. Superstition’s nothing to sneeze at.
There’s a lot of superstition involving sneezes, right down to which way we turn our heads. Among some people, such as the ancient Romans and Greeks, a sneeze to the right was a sign of luck and a sneeze to the left predicted a portentous future. Most cultures have an assumed response after someone sneezes: “Bless you” in English, “Salud” or “To your health” in Spanish, and so forth. In almost every language, the response translates to a wish for the sneezer’s good health. It’s thought that saying, “Bless you” came from Bubonic Plague times when one sneeze could’ve signaled a person’s assured demise, but that is just one of a few theories out there. Others claim that sneezing is the soul’s attempt to leave the body because it’s written in the Bible that Adam came to life by God breathing into his nose. As Milhouse from The Simpsons explains, “When you sneeze, that’s your soul trying to escape. Saying “God bless you” crams it back in.”