Home remedies for toothache

The basic fault may lie in your child's diet: candy, chocolate pastries and soft drinks. Bacteria present in the mouth breakdown sugar into acids, which combine with the calcium in the enamel. This causes decay or erosion of teeth leading to cavities, gum disease or even exposed tooth roots.


Toothache occurs when the decay has penetrated the pulp chamber of the tooth or is very close to it. This is the chamber which contains the nerves and tiny blood vessels and is especially sensitive to decay or any kind of disturbance.

Here are few home remedies:

•  Rub garlic, cashew or clove oil (laung ka tel) on the affected tooth. If your child protests, put the oil on his index finger and tell him to apply the oil gently on the affected area. This should relieve the pain.
• Make small pieces of potato and cool them in your fridge. Give you child pieces of cold potato and tell him to place them inside his mouth on the tooth that is paining. The cold will sooth the pain. 
• Place a little wad of dried mint leaf around the tooth and make your child spit out every few minutes. Peppermint is good for relieving pain.
•  Do not pull out a loose tooth. Let your child judge if the tooth is loose enough to come out and let him try to do so himself.

 Ask your child to point out the source of the ache. When he opens his mouth,check for red spots and swelling inside his cheeks. If these are not visible,chances are you have a toothache on your hands. Get an appointment with your family dentist immediately.    

Kids, watch that cup of coffee

Survey Shows Daily Intake By School Students In Delhi Higher Than That of US

Excessive intake of caffeine has been linked to bad health. But do children care? A survey conducted by University College of Medical Sciences (UCMS) in three Delhi schools has revealed that on an average students take 121 mg caffeine daily , mainly in the form of coffee and tea.

It is much higher than the average intake reported among teenagers in developed countries. However, there are enough studies to prove excessive caffeine intake can have a negative effect in terms of optimal sleep and overall growth and development. It also ups the risk of engaging in risky behaviours,“ said Dr Piyush Gupta, professor of paediatrics at UCMS.

He added that tea and coffee were the most common sources of caffeine but a few students also consumed energy drinks.

In the survey , published in the latest issue of the Indian Journal of Community Medicine, the researchers found 97% students took caffeine in one or the other form. The effect of caffeine is worst in the children who have anxiety disorder,“ he said.

Dr Omar added that if a child has undiagnosed arrhythmia (irregular heart rhythm), caffeine can increase excitability and worsen the condition.

Apart from coffee, caffeine is found in tea, cola beverages, energy drinks and certain medicines also. “ A mug of instant coffee contains about 100 mg of caffeine. The general advice is that adults should not have more than three to four cups of coffee daily and students not more than two cups,“ said Dr Anoop Misra, chairman. Fortis C-doc.

Caffeine, experts say , also enhances the preference for sweet foods and leads to an overall greater incidence of being overweight. There are more direct effects on neural, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and renal functions.

So Parents ...Keep an eye on your childrens...