Clean As U Go..

Since we r now officially maidless... i decided we really need to use the Clean As U Go concept... this way... things wont pile up... which will make me nagging less... =)

1. Keep sink dishes-free
- wash dishes as soon as it landed in the sink...

2. Keep kitchen oil-free
- wipe or mop kitchen once use...

3. Keep house clean before going out
- put toys in the toys basket...
- definitely a good feeling coming home to a clear clean house...


More articles at:
~ zenhabits.net - keeping-stress-free-clean-house
~ serenejourney.com - 7-tips-for-cleaning-your-kitchen-as-you-go

What are wisdom teeth?

Your wisdom teeth (third molars) are at the very back of your mouth in both your upper and lower jaws. They are usually the last teeth to come through. Most people find that they come through during their late teens or early twenties, a time traditionally seen as the passage to adulthood and an age of wisdom, hence the optimistic name.

The main problem is that wisdom teeth usually try to grow into a jaw that's too small for them. The last teeth in the jawline, they often grow in sideways, pushing against teeth that are already in place and minding their own business. Because wisdom teeth are difficult to clean, there may be a build-up of bacteria, plaque, and food debris around them -- something that can cause gum disease or decay in the wisdom tooth and other molars.

Why do we even have wisdom teeth?

Dentists say wisdom teeth are apparently a vestigial organ -- that is, one that isn't very useful now but played an important role in the body in eons past. The diets of our prehistoric ancestors contained much more coarse food, which resulted in a larger, more developed jaw with more room for third molars. People also used to lose more permanent teeth at an early age, leaving space for wisdom teeth that would serve as replacements.

What are impacted wisdom teeth?

Sometimes part or all of a wisdom tooth stays under the gum. This is usually not a problem. If something is stopping the tooth from coming through into a correct position, the tooth is said to be 'impacted'. Sometimes these impacted teeth cause pain or other problems.

How do I know if my wisdom teeth should be removed?

Check with your dentist. Pain and swelling around your wisdom teeth indicate that they're causing problems. Whether or not you have any symptoms, x-rays will show whether there's infection or whether your teeth are impacted -- that is, if there's no room for them to erupt through the gum.

If I don't have any pain or swelling, can I just leave my wisdom teeth alone?

Even if you don't have pain or swelling, your dentist may recommend that you get your wisdom teeth removed early on. The main reason is that recent studies show that wisdom teeth are linked to a higher rate of chronic bacterial infection in the gums, and can endanger the health of both the back and front teeth -- even if the patient feels no symptoms at all.

A study of 329 patients who had intact wisdom teeth, for example, found that even though the participants had no symptoms of discomfort, there was still evidence of disease-causing bacteria around their wisdom teeth. In fact, the study authors, who published their report in a recent issue of the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, concluded that gum disease in young adults often begins around the wisdom teeth.

It's also easier to remove the teeth when you're younger, because the jawbone is less dense and the tooth's root is not yet fully developed, according to American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.

Reasons for removing wisdom teeth.

• Infection in the gums around the wisdom tooth.
• Decay in the wisdom tooth that cannot be treated by a filling.
• If the wisdom tooth is causing damage to the tooth next to it.
• If a cyst forms around the wisdom tooth.
• Decay in the tooth next to the wisdom tooth which cannot be treated without removing the wisdom tooth.

There are other less common reasons for having a wisdom tooth removed.

How are wisdom teeth removed?

This depends on how deeply embedded in the jawbone your wisdom teeth are. Some impacted teeth are blocked by the gum from erupting, while others are partially encased in bone. In the past, wisdom teeth were removed in a hospital with the patient under general anesthesia; today wisdom teeth are almost always removed in an office setting by an oral or maxillofacial surgeon. If yours need to be extracted, you'll be given an anesthetic that you and your doctor decide on beforehand.

Talk with your dentist or oral surgeon about advance preparations. In general, it's important to dress comfortably for the operation, bring someone along to help you get home, and avoid eating or drinking anything for at least six hours prior to surgery.

Your surgeon will use as little force as possible to remove the tooth, carefully pushing the gum out of the way and then cutting the tooth into small sections for removal. Since you'll receive some type of sedation, you shouldn't feel any pain or discomfort during the surgery. After the teeth are removed, the surgeon will suture your gums back into place.

What type of anaesthetic can I have?

Wisdom teeth can be removed under:
• local anaesthetic
• local anaesthetic with sedation
• a general anaesthetic

A local anaesthetic numbs the area around your tooth so you don't feel any pain when the tooth is removed.

A sedative tablet or injection will help you relax. It may also mean that you are less aware of what is going on. You probably will not remember anything about the operation.

With a general anaesthetic you are unconscious while you are having the operation.

The type of anaesthetic you receive will depend on several things.
• How difficult the dentist or surgeon thinks it will be to take the tooth or teeth out.
• Your medical history.
• Whether you have a strong preference.

The different types of anaesthetic can have different side effects. You should discuss these with your dentist or surgeon. If you are having a general anaesthetic, you will have to go to a hospital to have your wisdom teeth removed.

What are the risks of having your wisdom teeth removed?

If you are going to have your wisdom teeth out, you will need an operation. All operations have risks and side effects.

Common side effects

After the operation:
• many people experience some pain, swelling and stiffness of the jaw
• many people may find it difficult to eat
• some people may get some bruising on the face and neck
• some people may need to take some time off work, school or physical activities.

Not everyone will have all these side effects. Most people will feel fine within a few days but sometimes it may take up to two weeks to fully recover.

Possible complications

A few people have more serious problems after their operation and may need further treatment. Possible problems include the following.

• Bleeding after the operation
There will be some bleeding in your mouth when your wisdom tooth is taken out. This will usually have stopped by the time you go home. Sometimes the bleeding can start again. Your dentist or surgeon should give you advice about what to do if this happens.

• Dry socket
Removing a wisdom tooth leaves a socket in the jawbone which needs to heal. Sometimes the socket doesn't heal normally. It may get infected and can be very painful. This is commonly called dry socket. Dentists treat dry socket by carefully cleaning and dressing the area. Painkillers can help to relieve the pain. Some infections will need treatment with antibiotics. It is not clear how many people get dry socket. Most dentists and surgeons think that less than five out of every 100 people get this problem. You are more likely to get dry socket if you smoke.

• Nerve damage
There are two nerves very close to the roots of your lower wisdom teeth. One of these nerves supplies feeling to your lower lip and chin. The other supplies feeling to your tongue. Sometimes these nerves may be injured when a wisdom tooth is taken out. This can cause tingling or numbness in your lip, chin or tongue. About one in 10 people will have some tingling or numbness that lasts for up to a week. Less than one in 100 people will have nerve damage that lasts more than a year.

• Damage to other teeth and bone
Other teeth may be damaged when a wisdom tooth is taken out, but this is very rare. If it happens, your dentist or surgeon will tell you about it and arrange for further treatment if needed.

What should I do after the surgery?

The outcome of surgery to remove wisdom teeth is often visible: chipmunk cheeks. The good news is the symptoms don't last long, and dentists have many ways to minimize swelling or pain. The symptoms rarely last more than 48 to 72 hours.

To allow the area to heal, you should eat only soft foods, soups, and liquids for at least the first two days following surgery. Complications are rare, but you should report any of the following symptoms of infection to your oral surgeon immediately:

• Fever of more than 100 degrees
• Abnormal swelling
• Pain or a bad or salty taste in your mouth, whether or not there's discharge from the site

In some cases, blood doesn't properly form a clot in the tooth's empty socket, leading to a local infection known as "dry socket" about 48 hours after surgery. Although painful, the condition is easily treated by placing a medicated dressing on the extraction site.

Of course, some bleeding and swelling around the empty socket is normal. Applying pressure to your gums will usually stop bleeding, and ice helps ease swelling. It is advise for patients to rinse with warm water and to use ice or a cold pack around the affected area of the jaw to reduce swelling. Patients who don't place ice in their mouths or ice packs on their jaw after the procedure are usually the ones in the worst shape when they come for follow-up appointments a few days after surgery. It makes a huge difference in recovery.



Sources
http://healthresources.caremark.com/topic/wisdomteeth
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2002/05/14697/4223

What is Gum Disease?

Gum disease or periodontal disease, a chronic inflammation and infection of the gums and surrounding tissue, is the major cause of about 70 percent of adult tooth loss, affecting three out of four persons at some point in their life.

What causes gum disease?

Bacterial plaque -a sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on the teeth -is recognized as the primary cause of gum disease. Specific periodontal diseases may be associated with specific bacterial types. If plaque isn't removed each day by brushing and flossing, it hardens into a rough, porous substance called calculus (also known as tar- tar).Toxins (poisons) produced and released by bacteria in plaque irritate the gums. These toxins cause the breakdown of the fibers that hold the gums tightly to the teeth, creating periodontal pockets which fill with even more toxins and bacteria. As the disease progresses, pockets extend deeper and the bacteria moves down until the bone that holds the tooth in place is destroyed. The tooth eventually will fallout or require extraction.

Are there other factors?

Yes. Genetics is also a factor, as are lifestyle choices. A diet low in nutrients can diminish the body's ability to fight infection. Smokers and spit tobacco users have more irritation to gum tissues than non- tobacco users, while stress can also affect the ability to ward off disease. Diseases that interfere with the body's immune system, such as leukemia and AIDS, may worsen the condition of the gums. In patients with uncontrolled diabetes, where the body is more prone to infection, gum disease is more severe or harder to control.

What are the warning signs of gum disease?

Signs include red, swollen or tender gums, bleeding while brushing or flossing, gums that pull away from teeth, loose or separating teeth, puss between the gum and tooth, persistent bad breath, change in the way teeth fit together when the patient bites, and a change in the fit of partial dentures. While patients are advised to check for the warning signs, there might not be any discomfort until the disease has spread to a point where the tooth is unsalvageable. That's why patients are advised to get frequent dental exams.

What does periodontal treatment involve?

In the early Stages, most treatment involves scaling and root planing- removing plaque and calculus around the tooth and smoothing the root surfaces. Antibiotics or antimi- crobials may be used to supplement the effects of scaling and root planing. In most cases of early gum disease, called gingivitis, scaling and root planing and proper daily cleaning achieve a satisfactory result. More advanced cases may require surgical treatment, which involves cutting the gums, and removing the hardened plaque build-up and recontouring the damaged bone. The procedure is also designed to smooth root surfaces and reposition the gum tissue so it will be easier to keep clean.

How do you prevent gum disease?

Removing plaque through daily brushing, flossing and professional cleaning is the best way to minimize your risk. Your dentist can design a personalized program of home oral care to meet your needs. If a dentist doesn't do a periodontal exam during a regular visit, the patient should request it. Children also should be examined.

What is the role of the general dentist?

The general dentist usually detects gum disease and treats it in the early stages. Some general dentists have acquired additional expertise to treat more advanced conditions of the disease. If the general dentist believes that the gum disease requires treatment by a specialist, the patient will be referred to a periodontist. The dentist and periodontist will work together to formulate a treatment plan for [he patient.

Is maintenance important?

Sticking to a regular oral hygiene regimen is crucial for patients who want to sustain the results of therapy. Patients should visit the dentist every 3-4 months (or more, depending on the patient) for spot scaling and root planing and an overall exam. In between visits, they should brush at least twice a day, floss daily, and brush their tongue. Manual soft nylon bristle brushes are the most dependable and least expensive. Electric brushes are also a good option, but don't reach any further into the pocket than manual brushes. Proxy brushes (small, narrow brushes) are the best way to clean in between the recesses in the teeth, and should be used once a day. Wooden tooth picks and rubber tips should only be used if recommended by your dentist.


Sources' The American Academy of Periodontology; Atrix Laboratories, Inc.; "Non-surgical Periodontal Therapy: Essential and Adjunctive Methods," by ~R. Creene, BaS, FasRCPs, the British Dental