Tips for Cleaning Your Dentures

Tips for Cleaning Your Dentures with Common Household Products

Do you wear dentures? If you do, you probably spend a lot of time cleaning them. False teeth can beautify your mouth and keep it that way as long as you take care of them. However, there aren't a lot of options for keeping them fresh and sanitized.

Most denture wearers know about Polident, but that's where the buck stops. So below are some home-spun remedies to help with dirty, broken and dull dentures. You'll find them easy to do and less expensive than most store-brought cures.

Arm & Hammer Baking Soda. This product is a popular way to clean and deodorize dirty dentures. Coat your denture brush with this product and go to work on your dentures. The natural abrasive in this product will easily clean off food particles.

Clorox Bleach. You can whiten up yellow teeth with bleach. Mix one teaspoon of Clorox with a glass of cold water. Soak your dentures for ten minutes and then brush as usual.

L'eggs Sheer Energy Panty Hose. Are your dentures looking a little dull? You can polish them up with a pair of panty hose. The nylon is a mild abrasive. As a result, you can cut off a piece from a clean pair and rub it against your teeth without damaging them.

Krazy Glue. If you loose a tooth on your dentures, a quick fix is to re-apply it with Krazy Glue. Make sure you dry it off first (along with your denture) and hold it into place until it sticks. Afterwards, contact your dentist for a permanent fix.

Heinz White Vinegar. Plaque and other germs can build up on dentures. So, you need to sanitize them on a regular basis. You can do it with vinegar. Vinegar kills bacteria. With this in mind, about once a week, soak your dentures in Heinz White Vinegar over night. Then brush away tartar, plaque and any other build up the next morning with toothpaste.

Ziploc Storage Bags. Have you lost your denture case? If so, replace it temporarily with a Ziploc Storage Bag. All you need to do is unseal a bag and drop your dentures inside it.

WD-40. Is an icky piece of gum stuck on your dentures? Get it off with a little WD-40. Spray it over the gum and it'll slide right off. Afterwards, brush your dentures thoroughly with toothpaste and rinse in order to get rid of the WD-40 residue. (Extra tip: You can get the same results with Peanut Butter. The natural oils in it will loosen up your gum.)

Morton Salt. If you suffer from sore gums due to denture wear, you can soothe them with a little salt. How? Dissolve one teaspoon of Morton's Salt into a glass of warm water and swish the solution around your mouth. Do it for at least one minute.

Did you know?

The Etruscans, people living in the region of Tuscany, Italy during 800 B.C.E., invented dentures by carving individual teeth from ivory, molding bridgework from gold and extracting teeth from the dead.

Do Flowers Heal

Do Flowers Heal you?

Do flowers have the power to heal your mind, body and soul? Yes, they do and this is the topic we are going to discuss in this post. If you are feeling rather low and depressed why not venture out and smell the pretty flowers? They work magic and lift up your spirit.

The great English bacteriologist, pathologist and homeopath believed that dew found on flower petals had healing properties. Researchers at the Harvard University found participants of a behavioral study who felt least positive in the early hours of the day reported being happier and more energetic after looking up at flowers first thing in the morning.

Flowers and more so the floral scents trigger happy emotions, reduces anxiety, increases feelings of compassion and satisfaction, boosts energy levels and affects social behavior in a positive manner. According to Science Daily floral scents begin as oils that are produced by the petals in most plants. These oils evaporate easily in warm weather and so are called as volatile compounds. 

Some flowers were used for medicinal purposes since early times. Foxglove was used as a treatment for cardiovascular diseases. The ancient Greeks used lily of valley for heart conditions and dropsy. Dried lavender is used to aid sleep. A drug obtained from lavender aids digestion, relieves flatulence and acts as antiseptic.

Hibiscus is generally good for the heart. White lotus increases sperm count. In India neem flower is used for de-worming.  Jasmine is considered good for the nerves. Pink rose acts as a good mouth cleanser and when mixed with honey it helps to purify blood.

Flowers are not only objects of beauty. The flowers as well as the floral scents lift your spirit and heal your mind, body and soul. Just place a bouquet of flowers in your kitchen or living room or in the place you spend most of your time and see the magic it creates in your life.

Bad breath (Halitosis)

Bad breath (Halitosis)

bad; breath; halitosis; tooth; teeth; tongue; caries; gingivitis;

The society and family mostly one or  more persons has bad breath in Indian and abroad. Have you ever been talking to someone and had to turn away because their breath smelt really bad? Has anyone done that to you?

Most healthy people have unpleasant smelling breath sometimes, especially when they wake up, but only a few people have bad breath (halitosis) most of the time. If people have really bad breath it can have a big effect on their social life and what other people think about them, but many people worry unnecessarily about their breath.

Many things can cause bad breath, including: 

• Poor oral hygiene (not brushing and flossing properly) 
• Gum disease 
• Eating certain foods like onions or garlic 
• Tobacco and alcohol products 
• Dry mouth (caused by certain medications, medical disorders and by decreased saliva flow during sleep hence the term "morning breath") 
• Systemic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, liver and kidney disorders. 

Causes of bad breath

·         The usual cause of bad breath is sulphur compounds made by bacteria when they break down the remains of food in the mouth.

o    Most people have large numbers of bacteria in their mouth, and they have even more if they have dental plaque because they have not cleaned their teeth well enough. These bacteria usually do not cause infections or illness.

o    Bacteria can also form a white, grey or yellowish coating on the tongue in some people.

o    Infections in the gums (gingivitis), tonsils, sinuses and nose mean there are even more bacteria to cause the bad smell.

o    Having a very dry mouth means that there is less saliva to wash away bacteria.

·         People who are on extreme diets (such as people on very high protein diets or who have anorexia nervosa) have bad breath. Some of the popular low carbohydrate, high protein diets cause bad breath in almost everyone who follows them.

·         Some foods, such as garlic, onions and curry will cause a change in the smell of your breath for a short time.

·         Smokers have unpleasant smelling breath.

·         People who need to breathe through their mouth most of the time (perhaps due to sinusitis) will have a dry mouth, and may have bad breath.

·         Some medicines can cause bad breath.

·         Some health problems, such as liver disease, kidney disease, lung diseases and diabetes can change the smell of breath.

Signs of bad breath

·         It is not really possible to smell your own breath, not even by breathing into your cupped hands, so you need to listen to what other people say about your breath.

·         Some people say they have an unpleasant, metallic taste when they have bad breath.

·         Some people with bad breath have a white or grayish coating on their tongue. Not everyone with this coating has bad breath.

Remember that most people have 'bad breath' when they wake up, so don't worry about that. A drink of water will help clean your mouth.

What to do if you have bad breath

·         Make sure that you clean your teeth well. Use fluoride toothpaste and a soft toothbrush to clean your teeth twice a day. You could brush your tongue at the same time.

·         Floss between your teeth (get your dentist or dental therapist for knowing how you to do this-Floss).

·         Avoid foods that are sticky and high in sugars. Bacteria love sugary food that sticks to your teeth.

·         You have a drink of water after eating, and whenever your mouth feels dry.

·         Mouth washes and breath fresheners can hide bad breath for a little while, but they don't get to the cause of the problem and their effects do not last. They are also rather expensive.

·         Kick the habit of smoker, Smelling like a dead ashtray can be rather off-putting.

See your dentist or dental therapist

·         Your dentist or dental therapist will be able to check the health of your mouth and teeth, and give you advice about dental hygiene and any treatment you might need.

See your doctor

·         Since there are several health problems that can cause bad breath, have a talk to your doctor too if you are worried by bad breath.

Best precautions for Bad Breath

Take these precautions first:

* Proper cleaning or brushing of the teeth in the morning and at bedtime

* Clear saliva and nasal secretion often and avoid accumulations

* Hawk to clear the throat often, if there is throat infection or secretions

* Dental check-ups for filling pockets or erosions if any, or to rule out any other dental or   

   gum problem

* Clean the tongue properly with tongue scraper if there is coating

* Drink plenty of water or drinks to maintain good body hydration. Also take plenty of

   water after every meal to wash away the presence of food particles in the mouth or

   throat or oesophagus

* Clean dentures (if any) properly with antiseptic solutions

Avoid:

* Stimulants such as alcohol, cigarettes and chewing tobacco

* Dairy products

* Onions and garlic

* Sweets or chocolates 

* Endoscopy for the sinuses

* CT scan to rule out nasal obstruction, lung disorders, etc.

* Blood investigations to rule out diabetes, infection, allergies, metabolic disorders

* Urine investigations to rule out diabetes, ketone bodies and metabolic disorders 

Homeopathic approach to Bad Breath (halitosis)

Homeopathic approach to halitosis - Everyone can notice that use of mouth freshener works only for the time being. Removing the actual cause or disease can only help in the long run. Treatment will be successful only when we find and remove the actual cause and treat the condition i.e. treat infection, sinusitis, lung infection, post-nasal drip, chronic bronchitis, etc.

Regarding treatment of halitosis in Homeopathy, there are different types of odours which mimic fermented beer, brandy, cabbage, cheese, chicken dung, putrid, fish brine, garlic, sulphur, tobaccos, cadaver, earth, rotten eggs, sour taste, sole leather, garlic, metallic, musty, onions, etc., i.e., odour differs from person to person depending upon the bacteria. Likewise, prescription also differs in Homeopathy from person to person. So, each patient is treated separately i.e., individually.

Homeopathic medicines can act as mouth wash, can remove the disease completely, and can act neurologically and stimulate the body for quality normal secretions. Treatment should be given for the complaints like recurrent cold, sinusitis, dental problems, gingivitis, stomatitis, indigestion, etc. Evidence shows that the messenger for wellness - Homeopathy - has gained in importance in the tide of health fortunes and has made the world turn towards it with its fragrance of cure.

Homeopathic medicines commonly used in the case of offensive breath are - Asafoetida, Baptisia, Baryta mur, Benzoic acid, Bromium, Calc carb, carbolic acid, Carbo animalis, Carbo veg, Crot - hor, Graphites, Hepa sulf, Kali sulp, Merc sol, Nat sulp, Nit acid, Opium, Plantago, Psorinum, Pulsatilla, Rhus tox, Sepia, Silicea, Staphysagria, Sulphur, Tarentula, Tellurium, Thuja, Tuberculinum etc.

Important Medicine  of Bad Breath in Homeopathy 

Arnica 30: Bad breath, associated with a sore, beaten-up feeling in the whole body. These symptoms require the medicine Arnica 30.

Aurum met 30: The medicine named Aurum met 30 works in the following symptoms. Foul breath, especially in old persons or adolescent girls, with restlessness and very sad nature.

Merc sol 30: Foul breath with bitter or metallic taste in the mouth, excessive salivation and intense thirst for large quantities of cold water. The tongue is thick and shows imprint of teeth. Nervous trembling and profuse, offensive perspiration are other pointers to this remedy. If all these symptoms are present in one person then intake of the medicine named Merc sol is mandatory.

Nitric acid 30: The symptoms that affirm the use of the medicine named Nitric acid can be mentioned as foul breath associated with spongy, bleeding gums and loose teeth. The tongue is clean and red. Nervousness, general weakness, strong-smelling urine and dry, cracked skin are other pointers to this medicine.

Nux vom. 30: Foul breath with swollen gums, ulcerated lips or tongue and sour taste in the mouth. An over-sensitive nature, frequent ineffectual desire for stools and a tendency to catch colds are other indications of this medicine. The medicine named Nux Vomica should be taken in all the above-mentioned symptoms.

Puls 30: If the person is suffering from foul breath with dry tongue and sweetish taste in the mouth, the person should immediately start taking the medicine named Puls 30. Thirstlessness and a weeping nature are other pointers to this remedy.

 Treatment: For temporary relief, any one can use 

* Cleanser, paste, mouthwash, mouth freshener or deodorant, gargles, tongue cleaner or wiper, etc.

* Chewing gum which influences secretion of saliva

* Cloves, cardamom, camphor, nutmeg, green pudhina leaves or guava leaves or betel leaves for masking the foul odour 

Sometimes even doctors do give the same advice, but mouthwashes and deodorants are generally cosmetic and do not have a long-lasting effect on bad breath. Antibacterial and antiseptic preparations act for some more time than maskers like deodorants or chewing gums. Antibiotic treatment also will work for the time being only.

Dengue Fever

Echinacea angustifolia in Dengue Fever

Acon., Ars., Bell., Bry., Chin., Coloc., EUP-PER., Ferr., Ham., Ip., Merc., Nux-v., Podo., Rhus-tox., Sec., Sul-ac.

I hope to prevent and treat Dengue Fever,  Arsenicum album, Belladonna atropa and China officinalis are important remedies. Ferrum metallicum, Ipecacuanha, Secale cornatum and Hamamelis virginicus, Phosphorus and Crotalus horridus are useful for Haemorrhagic Dengue fever.

Echinacea angustifolia is not in the Dengue fever rubric! It is a fever remedy and treats Malaria as recorded in the Lotus Materia Medica. The Boericke Pocket Manual of Homeopathic Materia Medica records the following symptoms: great debility, tired feeling and aching in limbs.

Echinacea not only increases blood cell production but can decrease the production when it has been higher than optimum levels. This confirms the dynamic and systemic nature of the remedy’s action on the vital force – the ability to regulate cell production as the situation demands.

 As Dengue treatment, I advise and prescribe Echinacea 200 twelve doses over twelve hours and blood counts show a favourable response – it works quickly which is vital in any acute disease and more importantly stimulates the accurate immune response. When the immune function is restored, the fever as well as HCT/PCV is regulated and the infection does not overwhelm the patient.

According to the article ‘Echinacea’, in the herbal form it:

• Promotes Macrophage activity

• Stimulates T-cell production

• Stimulates Interferon production

• Increases Phagocytosis

The best method of prevention is avoiding mosquito bites and eliminating breeding sites, but this is not always possible. Stagnant water and garbage provide rich breeding ground for the mosquitoes in close proximity to homes, and schools, and government resources cannot cope with eradicating this menace completely without the concerted help of the public. The changeable weather patterns may also contribute to the unpredictable incidence of Dengue. It is sobering to think of repeated attacks of this disease in a person’s lifetime and that the virus can mutate.

Constitutional remedies and Echinacea to support the immune function are prescribed during peak seasons and offer effective protection – with emphasis on a diet rich in antioxidants and adequate hydration. As preventive medicine I usually prescribe Echinacea angustifolia 30c one pill daily for two weeks when Dengue is imminent. It has been six years since that epidemic and Echinacea has become a familiar and dear remedy to my patients, family and friends and indeed to me!

Conclusion

Diseases such as Dengue are physically debilitating, have a long recovery phase, can be lethal and result in a lot of anxiety and depression. In 2011 approximately 28,000 cases were reported (55.9 percent of cases from the Western Province) and nearly 2,000 people died in all world. Homeopathy has the potential do so much more in improving these mortality rates and incidence of the disease.

Breast Milk

Why is Breast Milk so Nutritious?

Have you ever heard about the ship of hope? If not, you are highly recommended to read my posts because they talk about such interesting real life stories along with the required health information.

Like these unique lives saving boats breast milk is amazingly intricate and it is the primary source of nutrition for the newborns. Breast milk contains all the essential nutrients, antibodies and other factors to promote the growth and development of the newborn. The World Health Organization says that breast milk meets the psychological requirements of the baby and should never be substituted and recommends exclusive breast milk for the first six months of life.

According to Infant Nutrition Council there are different stages in the production of breast milk.

1.   The first milk produced from day 1-7 is called colostrum. It contains high amounts of protein, less amount of fat and various immunizing factors for the baby.

2.   Then there is a period of transitional milk from 8-20 days of birth

3.   Finally the mature milk from 20 days after birth.

4.   The fore milk is produced during the beginning of the feed where it is watery and quenches the baby’s thirst.

5.   The hind milk is creamier and contains proteins, carbohydrates and minerals.

Breast milk also contains antimicrobial factors, digestive enzymes, hormones and growth factors. It contains leukocytes living cells that help to fight infection. The benefits of breast milk are many and I have discussed the major ones. It lowers the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, increases the IQ of the baby, and decreases the likelihood of middle ear infections, cold and flu.

Spanish researchers have found a large microbial diversity of more than 700 species in breast milk which is called as microbiome. If the mother is heavier the bacteria was fewer in number. The presence of the microbiome in breast milk promotes the health of the child. The baby’s microbiome continues to grow during breast feeding. The secret for stressing the importance of breast feeding is that higher the number of the good bacteria that thrive the harder it makes for the harmful ones to get foothold.

A research study found a higher number of cancers fighting TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligands (TRIAL) in breast milk. This sums for the anticancer activity of the breast milk. No such factors were detected in formula milk. The above stresses the fact loud and clear in our heads that breastfeeding helps to prevent certain childhood cancers.

Scientists have found that breast milk induces genetic pathways. The breast milk contains immune protective components which lower the risk of all kinds of illnesses in a breast fed baby. The bio active compounds present in the milk regulate the development of the intestine. Breast milk promotes the link between the immune system and microbe population in the gut and maintains the stability of the baby’s intestine.

It is best to breast feed your baby exclusively for six months and then introduce solids gradually. The WHO advises to continue breast milk up to two years along with other healthy foods. Breast milk is such a precious gift of nature that each newborn baby has to enjoy. For those women who are not able to breast feed for some reason or the other breast feed milk banks or donor milk may be a wise alternative.

What is in breast milk that makes it so nutritious? 

There is no doubt that the nutritional content of human breast milk is ideally suited to babies. It has evolved over tens of thousands of years and contains well over 300 known ingredients to ensure that every nutrient necessary for babies is present and in the right proportions and quantities. But it is not as straightforward as that - not only are these nutrients present in the right proportions and quantities, but those proportions change depending on the age of the baby.

The First Stage of Milk Production.

Immediately after the baby is born, the mother’s milk is rather thin-looking and contains very high concentrations of Essential Fatty Acids (EFA’s) needed for the growth, brain development and bile-salt production of the new-born baby. This first milk is called 'colostrum' and it plays a vital role in establishing a healthy digestive system in the baby. Colostrum is only produced for the first few days and normally by the end of the first week mothers are producing transitional milk.

The Second Stage of Milk Production.

Transitional milk is still rich in EFA’s, but has less than are found in colostrum. Overall fat content is also slightly down, with corresponding increases in lactose and protein. This milk is generally produced for the first six months of the baby’s life, although this can be longer if the infant was born prematurely. This milk provides everything that the growing baby needs during the first six months of life - there is no need to supplement with anything else during this period.

The Third Stage of Milk Production.

The third stage of milk production is called mature milk and this is generally produced from six months onwards. It is during this stage that mothers should start to introduce other foods to start the process of weaning. Most authorities agree that infants should be breast-fed until at least the age of 12 months, and up to 24 months if possible. During this period, the range and frequency of other foods should be gradually increased so that the weaning process is carried out smoothly and without trauma. Each of these three stages ensures that the exact needs of the developing infant are met and that nutritional health is optimised.

The benefits of breast feeding for your baby 

• Provides Essential Fatty Acids, Proteins and many other nutrient

• Offers strong baby immunity - Macrophages (cells that destroy bacteria, viruses and fungi) can help with common diseases like pneumonia, botulism, bronchitis, staphylococcal infections, influenza, urinary tract infections and ear infections

• Breast Milk is always sterile and never contains the bacteria that may cause diarrhoea in bottle-fed infants.

• Protects against allergies. The antibodies in breast milk work to form a protective coating on the inside of a baby’s intestines, protecting them from potential allergens. Babies are never allergic to their own mother’s milk. They may react to some of the foods that she eats - common examples are cow’s milk and Brussels sprouts - but if the mother eliminates the problem food from her diet, the symptoms in the baby soon go away

• Creates strong physical growth through the act of suckling by exercising the baby's jaws and facial muscles and encouraging the growth of straight, healthy teeth

• Establishes a close bond between mother and baby. This is further developed when there is skin to skin contact during feeding. This, together with the feelings of warmth and security that come from being cuddled help to establish an early psychological balance in the infant, usually resulting in a more placid temperament. Interestingly, at birth a baby can only focus on things between 12 and 18 inches away - precisely the distance between the mother’s face and the infant’s eyes during breast feeding.

• Convenient and economical. No bottles to sterilise, no kettles to boil, no formula to buy, measure and mix. Breast milk is always at the right temperature and sterile.

• Helps regain your pre-pregnancy weight and figure. In order to produce milk the body uses a lot of calories and fat and this can speed up the loss of any excess accumulated during pregnancy. Also, the action of the baby suckling stimulates contractions of the uterus, helping it to return to its normal size.

• Breast feeding forces you to relax. It really isn’t practical to feed whilst on the move. Sitting down and resting every few hours will speed up your recovery from childbirth. Even in the middle of the night, it is so much easier to breast feed than to give a bottle - you can even doze off during feeding if you are lying down.

The best treatment for sore nipples is prevention. Frequent feeding does not cause sore nipples. A baby who doesn’t latch on well or is attached incorrectly at the breast is more likely to be the cause.

It is important for you to get expert help from a breastfeeding counsellor or infant feeding specialist to sort out your baby’s latching on technique if you feel you need some guidance.

Babies learn to suck properly by getting milk from the breast when they are latched on correctly.

Nipple soreness will usually ease up after the first few sucks once you are relaxed and your baby is latched on correctly especially after the milk settles down and flows freely. Remember that your nipples are a very sensitive part of your body, and are not used to having stress put on them.

If your nipples do become sore, Green People recommends 100% gentle and organic Mum & Baby Rescue Balm, which contains Shea Butter, Hemp and Calendula. The balm soothes and moisturises sore or cracked nipples and can be used safely whilst continuing to breast feed your baby.