by admin on October 1, 2008
Country wide Smoking Ban in India
The worlds largest ever smoking ban has comes in to play today(2nd October) in India which prohibits smoking in public places. This smoking ban has been the largest of its kind ever and marks the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi- much revered as the Father of the Nation.
The ban includes public places such as bars,restaurants,amusement parks, bus stands and any other public places. Those who want to smoke can do so in the vicinity of their homes. The president of the Public Health Foundation of India Dr K. Srinath Reddy asserts: “Implementation will take time, but passive smoking kills and people have a right not to subject their health to risk against their wishes.” Health experts however admit the likelihood of the rule being flouted widely.
It should be noted that apart from the enormous general health hazards smoking poses such as lung and throat cancer, it also has a detrimental impact on dental health.
Effects of Smoking on Dental Health
Briefly looking at the affect of smoking on oral health it :
- Causes Bad breath (Smokers breath)
- Causes Tooth Discoloration
- Increases the build up of Plaque and Tartar
- Causes the loss of bone within the jaw
- Increases the likelihood of gum disease
- Delays healing process such as following tooth extraction, periodontal treatment or oral surgery
- Decreases the success of Dental Implants
- Increases the chance of Oral Cancer
The smoking ban has been touted as the step in right direction. However ,skeptics question the success of such a rule in a country where there has been constant failure of similar rules.
by admin on September 7, 2008
Halitosis which is commonly referred as BAD BREATH affects a substantial number of people in all countries. The causes range widely but 85-90% of all the causes originate from the mouth itself.
The seven most common causes of bad breath are:
1. Accumulation of Food Debris: The most common cause for bad breath is the accumulation of food debris on or between the teeth, coated
tongue (resulting from poor oral hygiene). These food particles are acted upon by anaerobic bacteria producing respiratory products which give off the characteristic rotten egg smell.
2. Tooth Decay: The decay of tooth (Caries) by bacteria is an important causative agent of bad breath. The bacteria have putrefactive (rottening) action on the tooth leading to its demineralization causing halitosis.
3. Dryness of mouth (Xerostomia): Saliva has extensive anti-bacterial action. When there is reduction or absence of saliva in the oral cavity, it leads to accumulation of plaque which favors bacterial growth causing bad breath.
4. Gum Diseases: Gum diseases and periodontal diseases are important causative agents of bad breath.
5. Smoking: Smoking causes smokers breath which is due to the accumulation of nicotine, tar and other foul smelling substances in the oral cavity.
6. Severe Dieting: Apart from the innumerable other harmful affects, severe dieting also causes bad breath due to ketoacidosis because of prolonged starvation.
7. Extra-oral sources: The extra oral causes of bad breath include infections of respiratory tract, diabetes and kidney dysfunction.
An important aspect of halitosis that should be mentioned is Halitophobia or delusional Halitosis which affects around 25% of the people seeking professional advice for Halitosis. Halitophobia is the fear of having bad breath (and not actual bad breath) which drives these people to seek professional advice.
Continue Reading: Remedies for bad breath