Dental plaque refers to a film that is constantly forming. This film is secreted by oral bacteria around the mouth. It is a clear, sticky, colorless film that later solidifies into a pale yellow or brown deposit and settles on the teeth, gums, and gum line. It is often deposited below the gum line. When it has hardened, it is called calculus or tartar. Bacteria then grows under the calculus and infects the gum and periodontal tissue. This leads to inflammation of the gums and other periodontal diseases. The dead tissue is often seen on the affected teeth as black or brown patches. This condition is called caries or tooth decay. It is important to understand how plaque forms in order to control its growth. Within hours after brushing, a layer of saliva comprising glycoproteins is formed. This layer is called a pellicle. Bacteria start attaching to the pellicle and form microcolonies. This can cause oral diseases. Since the pellicle is constantly formed, the bacteria cover the entire mouth and proliferate. Due to this, microcolonies are formed all over the mouth. Plaque normally contains oral bacteria and has leukocytes, macrophages, lymphocytes, and Neutrophils. These comprise the normal bacterial population of the mouth and contribute to oral health.

The mere thought of quitting smoking is a step in the right direction. To lead a long and healthy life smoking cessation is absolutely essential. Unlike popular belief quitting is not impossible, it is only as hard or as easy as you think it is. Also, how determined you are to kick this addiction to tobacco, how strong your intention is to actually give up this craving, will decide the outcome of your effort. So wanting to quit will be followed by actually quitting this habit. Recognize the difference between the words quitting and denying. Denying yourself cigarettes can be a temporary effort. When you intensely desire something but deny having it, there is bound to be a time when your will power loses the battle and you go back to lighting up a cig. Maybe not a pack a day, but definitely, the discontinuance is not a lasting decision. When you deny yourself a smoke, you still want to take a drag, feel bad about it and allow a host of psychosomatic conditions to spring up. Quitting (smoking cessation) means you actually stop the smoking habit on your own free will and not feel bad about it, not wish for it now, in a few months, or even after a few years.

Nails are much more relevant than we think as they serve a valuable purpose in indicating our general health condition. Our nails, particularly the toenails are exposed to numerous impurities that may cause fungal infections in and around the nail. These are normally found to affect those in their older ages or people with lower immunity conditions. Nail infections can be painful and chronic. Although they can be treated with home remedies in some cases, it is usually advised to seek medical intervention to avoid worsening it. How to identify nail fungus? The infection usually sets at the nail edges and gradually grows into the entire nail. The infected nail develops a yellowish tint and appears to be moved up. There could be a mild darkening of the nail with the accumulation of dirt like particles under the nail. The area can become foul smelling. The nails grow disfigured and dry and lose the sheen associated with healthy nails. Furthermore, the nail turns frangible, cracking at first opportunity while the areas around the damaged nail can be inflamed with soreness. Causes of nail disorders Bacteria and fungi are commonly present in the body, both internally and externally. These fungi continuously grow in certain conditions leading to a full-blown infection, affecting the toenails specifically.

A menstrual cup is a flexible cup that is inserted into the vagina during a woman’s period. It’s like a tampon, but instead of absorbing the blood, it collects the blood and the cup can be reused. The cup is removed every 4 to 12 hours, depending on the flow and it is emptied and cleaned. The same cup is reinserted into the vagina. This is done until the periods are over. Then the cup should be cleaned and sterilized and stored for use the next month. It is advisable to sterilize it before using it again. What material is the cup made of? These cups are generally made of three materials. These materials are silicon, natural gum rubber or thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). Silicon menstrual cups are of a higher quality as they are made from medical grade silicon. Natural gum rubber has been known to trigger allergies caused due to latex. So, it is best to go for silicon menstrual cups. Choose a colored cup over a clear cup as blood stains may discolor clear cups, even after a wash. The cups these days are very soft and disposable options are available too. How are menstrual cups used? Once your period starts or you have symptoms of a period, tightly fold the sterilized cup and insert it into the vagina, like a tampon.

Insomnia is considered to be the next big battle that the world will face. The reasons attributed to the same would be excess stress levels, addiction to mobile phones and other electronic gadgets the emit a lot of light and also increase in the population of smokers and alcoholics. If you are having trouble sleeping, you should consult a doctor. Your doctor might put you through sleep studies which are of four kinds. Diagnostic overnight Polysomnography (PSG) This is general monitoring of the sleep along with other body functions while at sleep which includes breathing patterns, heart rhythms, oxygen levels in the blood and also limb movements Diagnostic daytime multiple sleep latency tests (MSLT) This is largely used for narcolepsy – a condition wherein people experience excessive sleepiness during the daytime. It is not only intermittent but also uncontrollable. MSLT gives the degree of sleep during the day. It calculates how soon you fall asleep during the day and how quickly along with how often you enter REM sleep. Usually, doctors do a PSG test first and immediately follow it up with MSLT the very next day. Two-night PSG evaluation and Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) While doing the PSG, if the doctors diagnose sleep apnea, they would make you come for the second night for CPAP treatment; the air is sent into your airways through a specially designed nasal mask.