What Is a Root Canal?

What exactly is RCT (Root Canal Treatment)? It's a question that I hear from every second patient. This is why I decided to share it with all here what exactly is RCT about.

Underneath your tooth's outer enamel and within the dentin is an area of soft tissue called the pulp, which carries the tooth's nerves, veins, arteries and lymph vessels. Root canals are very small, thin divisions that branch off from the top pulp chamber down to the tip of the root. A tooth has at least one but no more than four root canals.

Why do I feel pain?

When the pulp becomes infected due to a deep cavity or fracture that allows bacteria to seep in, or injury due to trauma, it can die. Damaged or dead pulp causes increased blood flow and cellular activity, and pressure cannot be relieved from inside the tooth. Pain in the tooth is commonly felt when biting down, chewing on it and applying hot or cold foods and drinks.

Why do I need root canal therapy?

Because the tooth will not heal by itself. Without treatment, the infection will spread, bone around the tooth will begin to degenerate, and the tooth may fall-out. Pain usually worsens until one is forced to seek emergency dental attention. The only alternative is usually extraction of the tooth, which can cause surrounding teeth to shift crookedly, resulting in a bad bite. Though an extraction is cheaper, the space left behind will require an implant or a bridge, which can be more expensive than root canal therapy. If you have the choice, it's always best to keep your original teeth.

What is a root canal procedure?

A root canal is a procedure done to save the damaged or dead pulp in the root canal of the tooth by cleaning out the diseased pulp and reshaping the canal. The canal is filled with gutta percha, a rubberlike material, to prevent recontamination of the tooth. The tooth is then permanently sealed with possibly a post and/or a gold or porcelain crown. This enables patients to keep the original tooth.

What is involved in root canal therapy?

Once your general dentist performs tests on the tooth and recommends therapy, he or she can perform the treatment or refer you to an endo-dontist (a pulp specialist). Treatment usually involves one to three appointments.

First, you will probably be given a local anesthetic to numb the area. A rubber sheet is then placed around the tooth to isolate it. Next, a gap is drilled from the crown into the pulp chamber, which, along with any infected root canal, is cleaned of all diseased pulp and reshaped. Medication may be inserted into the area to fight bacteria. Depending on the condition of the tooth, the crown may then be sealed temporarily to guard against recontamination, or the tooth may be left open to drain, or the dentist may go right ahead and fill the canals.

If you're given a temporary filling, usually on the next visit it's removed and the pulp chamber and canal(s) are filled with rubberlike gutta percha or another material to prevent recontamination. If the tooth is still weak, a metal post may be inserted above the canal filling to reinforce the tooth. Once filled, the area is permanently sealed. Finally, a gold or porcelain crown is normally placed over the tooth to strengthen its structure and improve appearance.

What are the risks and complications?

More than 95 percent of root canal treatments are successful. However, sometimes a case needs to be redone due to diseased canal offshoots that went unnoticed or the fracturing of a canal filing instrument used-both of which rarely occur. Occasionally, a root canal therapy will fail altogether, marked by a return of pain.

What happens after treatment?

Natural tissue inflammation may cause discomfort for a few days, which can be controlled by an over-the-counter analgesic. A follow-up exam can monitor tissue healing. From this point on, brush and floss regularly, avoid chewing hard foods on the treated tooth, and see your dentist regularly.

Ref: Article by Academy of General Dentistry

Picture Courtesy: Colgate.com

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Can water make us live longer?

It's hard to imagine, but the truth is that human beings are living longer in the 21st century. In this modern age, life expectancy has increased by just over 30 years. There are lots of secondary reasons just why this is, but according to Dr. Jeffrey Griffiths of Tuft University School of Medicine, much of the credit for longer life spans can be attributed to clean water. Just what health effects are caused by clean drinking water?

Have a quick look at the list below to see:

1. Reduces daytime fatigue

2. Improves memory

3. Nourishes skin

4. Essential for digestion, nutrient absorption and chemical reactions

5. Helps remove toxins from your body

6. Aids circulation

7. Regulates your body's cooling system

8. May prevent kidney stones and urinary tract infections

9. Improves muscle tone

10. Helps lubricate joints

So the answer is yes, drinking clean water can help you live longer. On a very basic level, your body cannot store up its own supply of water. It needs fresh intake of valuable water to hydrate cells and remove toxins through your liver and later kidneys. Without this vital replenishing of water, your body dehydrates, slows down and your blood literally 'thickens' as your body releases histamines in an effort to store water up in cells. This has a negative health affect as you are likely to experience headaches and lethargy among other generally negative health effects.

Ref : Free Drinking Water.com

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Olive Oil: what are the Health benefits?

Question:

What are the health benefits of olive oil? Is extra-virgin oil better than regular olive oil?

Answer:

When cooking with fats, olive oil is a healthy choice. Olive oil contains monounsaturated fat, which can lower your risk of heart disease by reducing the total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or "bad") cholesterol levels in your blood.

In contrast, saturated and trans fats — such as butter, tropical oils and hydrogenated margarines — increase your risk of heart disease by increasing your total and LDL cholesterol levels.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), consuming about 2 tablespoons (23 grams) of olive oil a day may reduce your risk of heart disease. You can get the most benefit by substituting olive oil for saturated fats rather than just adding more olive oil to your diet.

All types of olive oil provide monounsaturated fat, but "extra-virgin" or "virgin" olive oils are the least processed forms. As a result, they contain the highest levels of polyphenols, a powerful antioxidant.

Ref: Mayoclinic.com

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Exercise at Your Desk

 These days, it seems like everyone is working more hours and using the old "no-time-to-exercise" excuse more than ever. But what if you could actually work out at work?

While you won't get to the Olympics this way, you can do stretching, muscle-strengthening, and even short stints of aerobic exercises right at your desk (or maybe in a vacant conference room or stairwell). After all, doctors say any amount of exercise helps -- the benefits are cumulative.

"We are made to move, not sit at a desk 12 hours a day," says Joan Price, author of The Anytime, Anywhere Exercise Book. "As ergonomic as your desk or chair may be, sitting produces back pains, headaches, and listlessness. You become less productive."

"Not to mention less ... er, thin. The U.S. surgeon general recommends at least 30 minutes of moderate activity five days a week. Yet most Americans don't approach this level of activity. You know who you are: You are the woman who's so stiff when she gets up from her desk that she walks like a robot for the first few steps. You are the man with repetitive motion injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome. You are the person who vies for the "rock star" parking place closest to the door.

But come on -- can you actually go beyond working out the kinks and get some meaningful exercise in your cubicle?

Kelli Calabrese, MS, an exercise physiologist and spokesman for the American Council on Exercise, says yes. Calebrese believes in 60-second or 10-minute bursts of aerobic exertion. "This is cardio -- if you get in your [target] heart rate zone," she says.

60-Second Aerobics

Calabrese says that improving your heart rate variability -- your heart's ability to jump from resting to "pumped" -- has been shown to increase longevity and decrease heart disease risk.

While you shouldn't give up on your home or gym exercise routine, you can certainly supplement it with exercises done at your desk (and, on those extra-long workdays, it's much better than doing nothing.) Here are a few aerobic tricks to try during your next break between tasks:

1. Glance at the wall clock and rip off a minute's worth of jumping jacks. If you're a beginner, try the low-impact version (raise your right arm and tap your left toe to the side while keeping your right foot on the floor; alternate sides)
2. Do a football-like drill of running in place for 60 seconds. Get those knees up! (Beginners, march in place.)
3. Simulate jumping rope for a minute: Hop on alternate feet, or on both feet at once. An easier version is to simulate the arm motion of turning a rope, while alternately tapping the toes of each leg in front.
4. While seated, pump both arms over your head for 30 seconds, then rapidly tap your feet on the floor, football-drill style, for 30 seconds. Repeat 3-5 times.
5. If you can step into a vacant office or conference room, shadow box for a minute or two. Or just walk around the room as fast as you can.
6. Or do walk-lunges in your office or a vacant room. (You could also amuse your co-workers by doing these in the hall; remember Monty Python's "Ministry of Silly Walks" comedy routine?). Set your PDA to beep you into action.
7. No conference room? Take to the stairs -- two at a time if you need a harder workout! Do this 5-7 times a day.

Ref : WebMD

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What's Your Dietary Downfall?

Most people have an Achilles' heel when it comes to weight control. What's yours?

Here is some advice on how to overcome common problems.

 
Problem: You can't resist snacking.

 
Solution: Don't worry -- snacking isn't forbidden. Snacks can help control your appetite. Just don't add snacks to three full meals a day. Instead, break your meals into smaller portions and eat them over the day as snacks. For example, save half a banana from your breakfast cereal and eat it midday. When the snacking urge strikes, reach for cut veggies, low-fat yogurt, whole-grain crackers, air-popped popcorn, or pretzels.

 
Problem: You love your junk food.

Solution: Give in -- a little! Thinking of foods as "good" or "bad" often creates more problems than it solves. Depriving yourself will simply trigger the urge to overeat something else. Any food is okay in moderation. When you treat yourself to a small portion occasionally, it can reward you for keeping up your healthier habits.

Problem: There's no time to cook.

Solution: Take advantage of pre-cut, frozen, or canned veggies. Add frozen vegetables or canned beans to your favorite canned soup to make an instant, filling meal. Buy pre-washed salad-in-a-bag. Cook ahead on the weekend, or just double the ingredients of your Sunday-night supper. Freeze serving-size portions so they'll be quicker to thaw and reheat. And don't forget the microwave. A baked potato topped with broccoli, for instance, takes only a few minutes to make.

Problem: You eat when you're stressed.

 
Solution: Boredom, fatigue, depression, and stress are common triggers for eating too much. To break the hand-to-mouth habit, look for other ways to address your needs. If you're tired, try a brisk walk (or a nap if possible). If you're having a tough day, call a friend or write in your journal. If you're feeling down, try renting a funny movie. Or, once in a while, save your favorite treat for just such a situation.

Problem: Your family won't give up their french fries.

Solution: Start by letting your family know how important it is to you right now to maintain a healthy diet, and enlist their support. Then make sure there is at least one healthy food at every meal, and serve yourself a hearty portion of it while skimping on the rest. Also, doctor your menus in ways your family won't notice, such as using evaporated skim milk instead of cream in sauces and thickening "cream" soups with puréed potato. Finally, try baking thin potato slices coated with oil as an alternative to those french fries.

Ref: Reader's Digest

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