The best outfit you can wear is your smile. Not only does good teeth make you look impressive when you speak or open your mouth, it reflects hygiene.

What is Dental Health?

Dental health is the overall well-being of your teeth, gums, and mouth. The upkeep of your teeth goes beyond fixing their alignment or brushing regularly. It includes preventing complications that arise from poor oral health. Pay attention to your oral condition so you could spot budding infections or diseases that may result in teeth loss and gum inflammation, and recession.

Factors That Can Influence Dental Health

Poor oral hygiene, illness, or accidents are the primary causes of teeth damage. Your age and habits also play a role.

Consistent oral care is needed to address any dental issues you may have and identify any potential problems before they occur. You will immediately detect common dental woes such as cavity build-up or teeth sensitivity and deal with them accordingly.

Nowadays, various procedures that restore the teeth’s natural appearance are available, such as restorative and cosmetic dentistry and orthodontics, such as implanting veneers, crowns, and dental implants to dentures.

Dental Solutions

People who have crooked or misaligned teeth will need braces or retainers to fix their upper or lower jaw alignment while young.

Meanwhile, some of those without dental problems in their youth may experience teeth and gums issues as they age, such as natural loss of bone mass, receding gums due to infectious diseases, or natural erosion of soft tissues around the mouth.

Teeth will also wear down and get shorter while nerve sensitivity will diminish, keeping you from being alerted of oral problems at an early stage.

Thankfully, some treatments help fix all kinds of damages and bring back your teeth’s original appearance. It can range from minor retouches to complete replacements. Here are dental solutions:

• Implants- These are prosthetic teeth that replace the roots of a lost tooth and support neighboring teeth. It is the best solution for those with one or two damaged or missing teeth. It requires little to no changes in the overall oral routine since aftercare for implants is generally the same for teeth.
• Complete Dentures- This is a full-coverage replacement for either the entire upper or lower set of teeth. Those who no longer have any healthy teeth on either mandible opt for complete dentures. A complete denture is sculpted based on the gum’s natural arch and remaining tissue to enable proper attachment when worn.
• Partial Dentures- It is for replacing a few teeth.
• Veneers- These are thin custom-made porcelain shells attached in front of an existing tooth to cover discoloration, chipped or worn-down teeth, as well as fill in any small gaps between the teeth.
• Crowns- Made of porcelain, crowns cover the entire surface of teeth, usually after a root canal operation. Crowns are natural-looking teeth replacements that will eventually bond with the surface of the natural tooth over time.

Common Dental Problems

There are common dental problems that may result in partial or complete damage to the teeth and gums. These problems can develop anytime, especially without proper oral hygiene.

• Cavities

These are teeth holes caused by plaque formation that leads to an erosion of the outer coating and the surrounding connective tissues. Cavities occur when food, acid, or bacteria forms a coat around your teeth, leading to plaque formation. When left untreated, the plaque will erode the teeth.

• Gum Disease

Plaque build-up can lead to the bleeding and swelling of gums. If disregarded, the condition could worsen to periodontitis, which causes gum inflammation that may lead to teeth loss.

• Broken Teeth

Putting too much pressure on the teeth, such as teeth grinding or biting dense objects can break or crack the teeth.

• Teeth Sensitivity

Caused by broken or chipped teeth or thin enamels, teeth sensitivity is characterized by discomfort or pain when in contact with cold or heat.

Remedies for Dental Problems

Several treatments can help address existing dental problems or prevent possible ones from emerging in the future.

• Cleaning

A regular visit to the dentist for oral cleaning will help eliminate plaque and tartar in hard-to-reach places.

• Root Canal

This treatment is necessary when tooth decay has reached the nerves of the tooth. The nerve and pulp inside the affected area are removed and cleaned to prevent the spread of decay. If decay is left unattended, the tooth and gums can become infected and severely damaged.

• Antibiotic Treatment

Antibiotics are supplementary treatment after a root canal procedure or gum infections to avoid infections.

How To Maintain Good Oral Hygiene?

Proper oral hygiene is essential to the upkeep of your teeth and gums. It starts with regularly the teeth.

• Floss After Brushing

Flossing removes food particles stuck in between your teeth that remain after brushing. Food build-up on your teeth can lead to cavities, which is why thorough cleaning is necessary.

• Avoid Smoking

Smoking can trigger bacterial formation in your mouth, which can result in damaged teeth and inflamed gums. Furthermore, the nicotine and tar in tobacco can cause teeth discoloration and gum deterioration.

• Practice Healthy Eating Habits

Consumption of healthy foods is beneficial for overall health, including oral health. Vitamin-rich foods help prevent infections from forming while keeping your teeth and gums strong. Healthy eating habits include vigilance on the intake of sugar to limit plaque formation around the teeth.

• Regular Dental Visits

Visiting a dentist for professional cleaning and check-up at least twice a year to get oral health advice is necessary. The visits enable you to address any dental issues that may be bothering you before it gets worse.

Conclusion

Your dental condition can significantly affect your overall health and quality of life. It plays a vital role in your everyday routine, such as eating, speaking, and how you perceive yourself.

The practice of proper oral hygiene will decrease the risk of dental complications and help preserve your teeth.

Scrubs play an important role for people who work at hospitals. They’ve come a long way since they were first introduced decades ago. They were called scrubs because surgeons who wore them during operations had to scrub their hands on them to remove any bacteria. While still known mostly for their practical purpose, today they’re designed to feel good, look good, and provide medical professionals with a variety of choices in colors and styles. They may seem like simple uniforms, but they represent much more. They contribute to a hospital’s reputation, which can make a difference in how the hospital is perceived by the public. They also make it easier for patients to identify nurses or other medical staff.

Here are some key cleaning tips to help keep scrubs looking new:

Consider The Fabric

The type of fabric plays a big part in how long scrubs will look new and how they’ll be washed. It’s a good idea to consider this aspect when buying scrubs.

Pure cotton is generally easy to wash. However, it also creases more often and may fade more quickly than other fabrics. Whereas polyester doesn’t stain or crease as much, and is less likely to shrink over time.

Wash Scrubs Separately From Normal Clothes

Scrubs need special treatment compared to normal clothes, so it’s important that they’re separated to ensure they get the right treatment. They can carry a lot of germs and possible viruses, too. Depending on where they’re worn, they could have a higher possibility of harboring nasty bacteria. Keeping them separate from normal clothes lessens the chance of contamination.

Pretreat Any Stains

There’s an array of different stains hospital scrubs can get throughout the day. These may include the following:

• Blood
• Ointment
• Urine
• Vomit
• Feces
• Sweat

The type of stain will determine whether or not it will be easier or harder to take out Some suggest that a vinegar solution will remove most stains, but it may be a good idea to use hydrogen peroxide on blood stains, or a mixture of part ammonia and part water for urine, feces, or vomit stains.

Turn Them Inside Out

Washing scrubs inside out should prevent wearing away the fabric and may help to stop the color from fading. When doing this, however, it’s important to remember these things:

• Never add fluffy clothing or those that cause lint into washing machines as this may cause problems with pieces of fabric stick to the scrubs.
• Check pockets to help reduce the risk of washing paper or tissues along with them.

Use Cold Wash

A cold wash will make scrubs last longer compared to a hot wash. Once it’s finished, check if the stains have successfully been removed. If not, treat the stains again and repeat the cold wash.

Once the stains are removed, some people like cold washing them once more. However, if it’s likely that the scrubs have been contaminated with a lot germs and bacteria, a warm wash may be used to help disinfect them. Keep in mind that washing them in hot water too often may lead to discoloration and, possibly, shrinking.

Don’t Overdry

Try to avoid using a tumble dryer because it can be too harsh on the fabric and may cause the scrubs to fade and shrink. Instead, hanging them on a clothes line or using a clothes horse will dry them without any damage. However, if the weather is cold or its easier and quicker to use a tumble dryer, remember not to set it on a high hear.

Only Wear Them At Work

Some people wear their scrubs to work, which might be convenient, but it could cause damage and stains that could otherwise be avoided. Wearing personal clothes to the hospital and then changing into scrubs means that they will be worn less, and there won’t be as many germs and bacteria to clean.

Hospitals do everything they can to stay as sanitized as possible, like using new technology for hand disinfectants. By not wearing scrubs to the hospital, it may decrease the chances of outside bacteria entering the space.

Also, hospitals are sterile places, and if scrubs are worn to work, there’s a chance that outside bacteria could be introduced to the space.

Iron Them To Keep Them Fresh And Crisp

Ironing may help keep scrubs looking crisp and fresh. It’ll also keep them looking professional because there won’t be creases. Using a hot iron is best in this regard. This should also help kill any germs that may have survived the hot wash and tumble drying. There are some other options that can help keep clothes straight that don’t involve an iron. These are:

• Hanging them in the bathroom while you have a shower; the steam should work out any creases.
• Rolling them like a yoga mat and placing them under your mattress for an hour
• Using a hairdryer (make sure to hold the scrubs inches away from the hairdryer to avoid damage)
• Pressing a damp towel onto the creases and them dry

Store Them Correctly

Storing freshly washed scrubs in a plastic covering, like a garment bag or plastic bag, will not only help keep potential bacteria from contaminating other clothes, but it’ll also keep them from possibly being damaged by the sun and other external factors.

Some other storage ideas you can utilize that don’t use plastic bags are:

• Fold them in a box and wrap them in tissue paper
• Hang them on a clothes hanger, with a small sheet over the top
• Place them in a secure plastic tub
• Use enclosed packing cubes

Conclusion

Scrubs are an important uniform for medical professionals, and they look best when they look new. There are multiple ways to help them look new for as long as possible. Removing stains and washing them properly will help keep away grime and discoloration. Steps after washing are just as important as the washing process. Remember to remove creases and store them correctly. Following these tips should help keep scrubs looking new and fresh, rather than stained and old.

Wearable devices that track body vitals and smart speakers with display have been the most popular categories in consumer technology. ICON.AI, the South Korean headquartered company, has blended the two and has come up with a 2-in-One Smart Healthcare device. Unveiled during CES 2021, the 2-in-One Smart Healthcare Device comprises a Smart Display Speaker with Alexa Built-in & a Detachable Health Tracker.

The Smart Display Speaker includes an LCD Touchscreen, 5W Speaker with High Bass, Bluetooth and WiFi. On the top houses a detachable health tracker that one can carry in a pocket. While the Smart Display Speaker can tell you the weather, search YouTube, read Kindle books, and more, the detachable tracker claims to provide accurate and reliable pre-screening health data to identify physiological abnormalities. It takes comprehensive readings from fingertips to track heart rate information, blood pressure trends, peripheral oxygen saturation levels and more, all in nearly 60 seconds. It features instant connectivity that immediately alerts the hospital and family members once it perceives a medical emergency. Fully integrated within the Smart Healthcare Device, the Critical Monitoring Features and Built-in memory allow sending the health information to Smartphone & Tablet, to be shared with family and doctor for early diagnosis. The health reports are recorded on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis, which can act as supplementary information for medical testing.

ICON.AI also showcased upgraded Zmirror, a CES 2020 Innovation Award Honoree. The smart mirror with Amazon Alexa features Harman Kardon sound, smart display, mood lamp and skin analysis.

ICON.AI is a software-led hardware company that aims to deliver AI-enabled products to every market around the world. It is an Amazon-approved System Integrator for Alexa Voice Service as well. With solutions that are qualified by Amazon, ICON.AI provides a professional and innovative technology development team focused on Screen-based Devices for Amazon Alexa such as Smart Display Speakers, Smart Mirror, and Smart Home Devices. It also supplies reliable, customised hardware and software solutions for AVS (Alexa Voice Service) development and certification needs.

According to estimations by the WHO 1.6 billion people suffer from anaemia. This has prompted the WHO to define the fight against anaemia as one of its critical sustainable development goals for 2025.

Cueing in to the need for early detection of anaemia without blood tests, Bosch has developed a portable Haemoglobin Monitor Solution (HMS) especially for regions where routine access to medical care tends to be difficult. This HMS allows many people to be screened for anaemia rapidly, safely, using a non-invasive approach. The solution has been named a CES Innovation Award Honoree in the “Health and Wellness” category. Market release in India is expected by mid-2021, as per a company statement.

“Bosch has developed the non-invasive haemoglobin monitor as an innovative solution and as an alternative to traditional methods for the early detection of anaemia. This should offer people better diagnosis options even in resource constrained conditions. The use of artificial intelligence is revolutionising anaemia management, specifically in point-of-care setups and closer to the patient”, explains Dattatri Salagame, President and Managing Director, Robert Bosch Engineering and Business Solutions Private Limited (RBEI).

Haemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells and is responsible for carrying oxygen and carbon dioxide throughout the body. People with a low haemoglobin count may experience symptoms such as general fatigue, weakness, pale skin, and even serious illnesses. Anaemia particularly affects women, even more so when they are pregnant, and also people suffering from malnutrition. In cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or in palliative care, haemoglobin levels should be checked regularly.

Haemoglobin results in 30 seconds using a non-invasive AI measurement

The intelligent solution by Bosch is designed for use directly at the point-of-care and is completely pain-free with no need for a blood test, as the value is determined by a finger scanner using multi-wavelength spectrophotometry on the surface of the skin. The system uses an optical sensor to precisely and reliably measure the photoplethysmogram (PPG) signals. PPG is an optical technique used to detect volumetric changes in blood in peripheral circulation.

The device provides a reliable result within 30 seconds even for low haemoglobin concentrations. This is where machine learning comes in: the device’s algorithm monitors the wavelength of the light and uses 27 different characteristics to determine and classify the haemoglobin value. The algorithm has been trained with more than 10,000 anaemia data points. These clinically collected data along with the corresponding ground truth data, are the basis for the machine learning algorithm. The more validated data sets are put into the continuously learning algorithm, the more precise the results will be.

Lab-free results without risk of infection

A laboratory analysis is not necessary and there is no risk of infection from contaminated needles. Participants receive their test results quickly at the point of care. The device is battery operated, does not need subsequent calibration, and is extremely easy to use. It is intended for use in outlying and remote regions by healthcare professionals. Location-based reporting ensures easy clinical traceability. Organisations that operate multiple devices can draw conclusions through heat maps about specific regions. Patient data remains anonymous.

Turner Imaging Systems, developers of the revolutionary Smart-C X-ray imaging system, has entered into a Sponsored Research Project with Massachusetts General Hospital to investigate the use of the Smart-C for weight-bearing radiographs of the foot and ankle.

The Smart-C mini C-arm has a unique 16-pound portable design that is battery operated and hand-transportable, potentially improving where and how fluoroscopy is performed. The C-arm uses the latest imaging technologies including a 6-by-6-inch flat panel detector and novel compact X-ray source in a package that can be placed directly on the floor, and thus can be used to make weight-bearing fluoroscopic and radiographic images of the foot and ankle.

D. Clark Turner, Ph.D., founder and CEO of Turner Imaging Systems, said, “The Smart-C was designed to revolutionize how and where doctors use X-rays … being particularly useful where patients can benefit from mobile radiology applications. We are thrilled to be working with the Foot and Ankle Research and Innovation Lab (FARIL) at Mass General Hospital/Harvard Medical School to validate additional advantages of the Smart-C in diagnostic and surgical applications.”

Bart Lubberts, M.D., Ph.D., said, “Weight-bearing radiographs play an essential role in the diagnostic evaluation of suspect foot and ankle pathology. By conducting a clinical trial, FARIL aims to evaluate the use of the Turner Imaging Systems Smart-C for weight-bearing radiographs. If proven successful, it can improve access to such medical imaging in the clinical workflow and benefit diagnostic evaluation.”

Massachusetts General Hospital, a global pioneer in medical and diagnostic technology, is a leader in the healthcare industry. Gregory Waryasz, M.D., will serve as the primary investigator on this trial. In addition, the research team includes Ash Fansa, M.D., Haggai Schermann, M.D., M.P.H. and Bart Lubberts, M.D., Ph.D., an instructor at the Harvard medical school.

Turner Imaging Systems, based in Orem, Utah, received FDA 510(k) clearance of the Smart-C® mini C-arm portable fluoroscopy X-ray imaging device in September of 2019.

Noteworth, a first-of-its-kind virtual care delivery platform, today announced its partnership with Esse Health — a Level 3 Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) — to help the independent physician group deliver virtual care technologies to meet new patient expectations.

“In an industry notoriously resistant to change, we’ve advanced 15 years within five months,” said Erin Stamm, COO of Esse Health. “Noteworth helped our organization meet short-term needs in response to COVID-19; more importantly, the platform enables us to change how we deliver care in the future to meet patient expectations.”

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Esse Health recognized the need to evolve its care delivery strategy to offer patients more accessible and convenient visits through virtual care options. In early 2020, Esse Health partnered with Noteworth to leverage condition management and telemedicine solutions, expanding care delivery to a select cohort of patients. However, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March, Esse Health needed to quickly scale its virtual care solutions to all patients to avoid delayed interventions and reduce patient and staff exposure to infections. Able to pivot rapidly, Esse Health deployed Noteworth across the entire 180-provider organization within three days and has since managed over 35,000 telehealth visits, with nearly 32,000 patients continuing to engage with the platform heading into 2021. Esse Health attributes Noteworth’s platform with saving lives as it has allowed patients to seek care and receive proactive interventions via telehealth services from the safety of their homes. Up to 80% of Esse Health’s patient visits have been conducted via Noteworth platform, resulting in an increase in revenue and optimal care coordination.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has ultimately changed the expectations of everyone, including patients and clinicians alike,” said Dr. Matthew Dougherty of Esse Health. “Telehealth is here to stay. Noteworth accelerated our ability to shift to virtual care and enabled us to quickly transition into the new normal. Additionally, the virtual care options are very well-received by patients; they’re very eager to use telehealth as a resource.”

Through the platform, patients can also work with healthcare specialists, such as dieticians or pediatricians, to continue with treatment plans. For clinicians, the ability to give the same comprehensive and holistic treatment options for patients was vital. Esse Health recently expanded its virtual-care reach and deployed a diabetes prevention program through the Noteworth platform. The healthcare organization is committed to working with at-risk patients to manage their weight and physical activity and reduce their risk of developing chronic conditions, to produce better patient outcomes, and reduce the total cost of care.

“Our goal at Noteworth is to enable better healthcare delivery while giving clinicians the tools they need to do their jobs safely and effectively,” said Justin Williams, Co-founder and CEO of Noteworth. “We are proud to work with Esse Health to help them transform the way they deliver care and enhance patient engagement.”