Updated on:- 31-Aug-2009

WASHINGTON: Whether you're about to kiss your girl friend or begin a job interview, how would you know whether your breath is sweet and clean. Tel Aviv University (TAU) researchers have come up with a tiny breath test which lets you know whether malodorous bacteria are swarming all over your mouth. A blue result suggests you need a toothbrush. But if it's clear, you're "okay to kiss". The original 'OkayToKiss device' comprises a colour indicator and saliva collector. Scientists believed that only one population of bacteria (the gram-negative ones) break down the proteins in the mouth and produce foul odour. But Mel Rosenberg, professor and Nir Sterer of TAU's Sackler Faculty of Medicine, recently discovered that the other population of bacteria (the gram-positive ones) are bad breath's bacterial partner. These bacteria appear to help the gram-negative ones by producing enzymes that chop sugary bits off the proteins that make them more easily degraded. This enzymatic activity, present in saliva, serves as the basis for the new "OkayToKiss" test. Rosenberg, an authority on the diagnosis and treatment of bad breath, co-developed the kit with Sterer. An earlier invention of Rosenberg led to the development of two-phase mouthwashes that have become a hit in Britain, Israel and elsewhere. "All a user has to do is dab a little bit of saliva onto a small window of the 'OkayToKiss' kit," explained Rosenberg. "'OkayToKiss' will turn blue if a person has enzymes in the mouth produced by the gram-positive bacteria. The presence of these enzymes means that the mouth is busily producing bacteria that foster nasty breath," he explained. Apart from its social uses, the test can be used as an indicator of a person's oral hygiene, encouraging better health habits, such as flossing, brushing the teeth, or scheduling that long-delayed visit to the dentist, said a TAU release.

 Updated on:- 31-Aug-2009

Dr Rajan bir Singh Thind attended a camp at malerkotla in June 1993.This punjab level fortnight camp was inagurated by Sr lal singh ji health minister punjab ,the camp was under the guidance of Dr Mann , director dental health services Punjab . Also seen in the photograph is Dr Mohd Shabbir C.mo dental , civil hospital malerkotla

 Updated on:- 27-Jun-2009

Infant and Toddler Teeth Care Caring for your infant’s teeth should begin even before they erupt. To prevent bacteria growth, parents can wash their baby’s gums with a wet washcloth after feedings. Babies should never be put to bed with a bottle, no matter how tempting it is for tired parents. The sugars in milk or juice that stay in contact with teeth for hours can damage the enamel. When your child gets his first tooth, it is time to brush. Parents should use non-fluoride toothpaste until the child is two years old. Then, use only a tiny dab. Young children often swallow toothpaste while brushing. If a child ingests too much fluoride, teeth can become stained. When a child is old enough to brush his own teeth, an adult should go over them after the child finishes to make sure they are clean. Most children thoroughly clean the chewing surfaces, but often fail to clean the backsides and gumline.. Monitor your child’s meals and snacks. We all know that sugary snacks are not only bad for growing bodies; they are also bad for teeth. Scheduling set times to drink anything other than water during the day can also help prevent cavities

 Updated on:- 27-Jun-2009

20 Most Popular Myths about Dentistry It seems like everything is known about the rules and recommendations on how to take care about our teeth effectively. However, day after day new versions of good old principles of dental care appear here and there. As a result, many people still remain confused about the basics of brushing flossing whitening , and other dental care procedures. Check out the most popular dental myths and related comments of dental specialists. MYTH 1: Brushing my teeth several times a day harms the enamel. TRUTH: This is partially true. Usually, it is enough to brush your teeth two times a day, but if you have an opportunity to brush your teeth more frequently (for example, after every meal), use a soft or extra soft toothbrush. MYTH 2: Expensive toothpastes are always better than cheap ones. TRUTH: It is not always true, and some moderately expensive toothpastes can be very effective. Ask your dentist about the toothpastes that can be good for your particular dental situation. MYTH 3 : Using a sugarless chewing gum with xylitol after meal can replace brushing and have the same effect. TRUTH: Not really, but if you can not brush your teeth after every meal, you can use a sugarless chewing gum to clean your teeth and refresh your breath. Do not chew it for more than 10 minutes. MYTH 4 : I must not brush my teeth if my gums bleed. TRUTH: Bleeding gums is a sign to see your dentist. However, if you can not do this as soon as possible, you can brush your teeth with a soft or extra soft toothbrush. MYTH 5: Placing a tablet of aspirin beside my aching tooth can ease the pain. TRUTH: Aspirin does not work effectively for relieving toothache. Besides, it damages soft tissues in you mouth. Therefore, it is better to use natural analgesics, such as clover oil or tea tree oil. MYTH 6 : There is no need in seeing dentist if there is no visible problem with my teeth. TRUTH: You must see your dentist twice a year, no matter in what condition your teeth are at the moment. Sometimes, only a dentist can see possible problem, and it is always better to start treatment on the earliest stages. MYTH 7 : If tooth enamel is white, the tooth must be considered healthy. TRUTH: This is absolutely not true! A tooth can look healthy and white, but, at the same time, it can have cavities, problems with the root or other abnormalities that require treatment. MYTH 8: After a decayed tooth is treated, there will be no more decaying there. TRUTH: There is no guarantee for this. After the treatment, every tooth must be properly cared about: regularly brushed, flossed and so on. MYTH 9 : It is better to treat a decaying tooth rather then opt for removing it. TRUTH: Before making a decision whether to continue treatment or remove an aching tooth you have to consult a qualified dental professional and, possibly, ask for the opinion of several specialists. Sometimes, even totally decayed tooth can be restored, and, at the same time, there are situations when even a healthy looking tooth must be extracted. MYTH 10 : It is better to remove wisdom teeth because they usually cause problems. TRUTH: Do not extract your wisdom teeth until you have started having real problems with them. MYTH 11: Good dental health can be inherited. TRUTH: Such factor as inheritance plays minor role for good dental health of people. The main rules are to maintain proper oral hygiene and visit your dentist regularly. MYTH 12 : Eating a lot of chocolate brings to tooth decay. TRUTH: No, it does not, but if you do not brush your teeth or at least rinse your mouth every time after eating chocolate, you are at much higher risk to get tooth decay. MYTH 13 : Eating too hot or too cold meals can harm my teeth. TRUTH: Only regular eating too hot or too cold meals can be harmful for your teeth and dental nerves. MYTH 14 : Using toothpicks after meals can widen the gaps between my teeth. TRUTH: Using usual toothpicks can not have such effects, but you must be very careful when using toothpicks because they can damage the gums and other soft tissues in your mouth. MYTH 15 : Teeth whitening is harmful as it can damage the enamel. TRUTH: Modern methods of teeth whitening, including laser teeth whitening or Air Flow technique, have minimal harmful effects. Nevertheless, one must remember that teeth whitening can not be recommended for many people, especially for those who has sensitive teeth, problematic enamel, underdeveloped tooth tissues, as well as for pregnant and nursing women. MYTH 16: After any bleaching procedure teeth do not remain shining white for long time. TRUTH: In average, the effect can last for about a year or so, but after every following bleaching procedure the duration of the effects usually decreases. MYTH 17 : It is not harmful to whiten your teeth with usual sodium bicarbonate. TRUTH: It is, actually, very harmful, because sodium bicarbonate we use for baking has very strong abrasive effects. If you want to whiten your teeth in an easy way, use special whitening toothpastes with bicarbonate. Such toothpastes contain much smaller particles of bicarbonate and they do not damage teeth that much. MYTH 18 : There is no need in taking care about the teeth of my baby because in some years they are going to fall out. TRUTH: This is absolutely wrong from a variety of perspectives. First of all, if you do not take care about premature teeth, they may fall out before the time and cause problems with bite or improper development of your child’s permanent teeth. Besides, it is necessary to start educating your children to maintain good dental and oral hygiene since early childhood. MYTH 19 : It is necessary to avoid dental procedures during pregnancy. TRUTH: Regular dental treatment must not be avoided by pregnant women, but there is a number of procedures, such as X-rays or surgical dental procedures, which must be postponed for pregnant women. MYTH 20 : Any type of dental treatment is very painful. TRUTH: Not anymore. Advanced dental technologies allow making dental treatment not painful by using anesthetic agents.

 Updated on:- 22-May-2009

SYDNEY: A dentist has found a way to make decayed tooth enamel re-grow, thus eliminating the necessity of fillings. The treatment works by delivering to the affected tooth a powerful solution of calcium, fluoride and phosphate during sleep. They are the building blocks of tooth enamel. The tooth absorbs the solution from a small tray fitted into the mouth overnight. "The localised application of the mineral treatment re-grows the crystals of the tooth, repairing damaged tooth enamel," said Nathan Cochrane, of the Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Oral Health Science. "Working as a dentist I see how teeth with fillings in them often weaken," he said. "I wanted to find out whether a chemical process could be used to replace the minerals lost from teeth through decay." Working with world renowned tooth remineralisation expert, Eric Reynolds, a professor and colleagues at the CRC, Cochrane discovered that a substance isolated from cow's milk could be used to stabilise the calcium, phosphate and fluoride ions, allowing them to diffuse into tooth enamel and embed themselves in the crystal lattice. To prevent saliva from diluting the mineral solution, he developed a small tray that fits over the tooth and focuses the solution on it. The device has been patented, said a CRC release. "Dentists who have patients showing signs of early decay will be able to prescribe the nightly use of the remineralisation treatment for a given period, potentially avoiding treatments such as fillings and extractions," said Cochrane. He will outline his system at the Pathfinders: the Innovators Conference at the National Convention Centre in Canberra May 26.