Could seaweed be more effective than your toothpaste?

Brushing may not be the only thing that you need to do in order to protect yourself from tooth decay,Nicholas Jakubovics of the university’s School of Dental Sciences said, better products offering more effective dental treatment can be made using the enzyme. A British study found, brushing teeth with an enzyme extracted from a bacteria, found in seaweed, could be more effective than toothpaste in the fight against tooth decay.

Scientists from Newcastle University used an enzyme isolated from marine bacterium Bacillus licheniformis, which they were originally researching for its use in cleaning ship hulls.The scientists say the enzyme can “cut through” plaque on teeth and clean hard-to-reach areas.”This enzyme can cut through the plaque or layer of bacteria and we want to harness this power into a paste, mouthwash or denture cleaning solution,” Jakubovics said.Plaque on your teeth is made up of bacteria which join together to colonise an area in a bid to push out any potential competitors. Traditional toothpastes work by scrubbing off the plaque containing the bacteria, but that’s not always effective, which is why people who religiously clean their teeth can still develop cavities.

When threatened, bacteria shield themselves in a slimy protective barrier known as a biofilm. It is made up of bacteria held together by a web of extracellular DNA which binds the bacteria to each other and to a solid surface, around the teeth and gums.The biofilm protects the bacteria from attack by brushing, chemicals or even antibiotics. The organism, Bacillus licheniformis, release an enzyme which breaks down the external DNA. That breaks up the biofilm and releases the bacteria from the web.

Monsoon skin care tips

After a hot and sweaty summer, the monsoon comes as a relief but the humid and damp weather takes a toll on the skin and eyes. Experts advise how small changes in the skin care routine during the season can keep the skin glowing and eyes fresh.

Monsoon brings humidity and it’s bad news for all type of skins:

Oily Skin: The skin type is mainly the result of genetically determined hormonal changes. To treat oily skin one needs to remove excess oil by cleansing it twice or thrice a day, but not more than that.

“Limit washing your face to two or three times a day as too much washing will stimulate your skin to produce more oil. Avoid heavy cleansing creams. Scrub your face on a regular basis. This will help unclog the pores and remove the layer of dead cells from your skin,” cosmetic surgeon Anup Dhir told IANS.

It is advised to use warm water while washing face as it dissolves skin oil better than lukewarm or cold water. Other than that, one also uses mud-pack. Homemade pack made with “Chane ka atta and raw milk” can help in keeping skin refreshing and glowing.

Dry Skin

Dryness is a sign of dehydration and lack of skin repairing vitamins. During monsoon the problem worsens. One requires cream based cleanser, says Dr. Geetika Mittal, medical director of the International Skin and Anti-Aging Centre (ISAAC). ”A moisturizer increases the water content of the outer layers of the skin and gives it a soft, moist look and it is always advised one with dry skin opt for alcohol free toner,” said Mittal. Also, apply glycerin and rose water mixture to keep skin soft.

Combination Skin

This type of skin is characterised with the T-portion as oily and the cheeks are usually normal or dry in condition. Since it combines both the oily and dry skin it should be treated as if it were two different types of skin, said Dhir. ”The dry area requires gentle cleansing and regular moisturizing. The oily part needs to be deeply cleansed and toned with regular scrubbing,” Dhir told IANS.

Monsoon also brings skin infections

Fungal and bacterial infections are common during rainy season. Moist and damp skin leads to these infections. Also, one can get rashes and ringworm and even skin gets discoloured.

Dhir advises keeping the body dry is the basic tip to tackle the infections.

“Switch to cotton clothes as they allow your body to breathe. Allow damp hair to dry before you tie them again. To circumvent allergies from mosquito bites, wear full-sleeved clothes and use a mosquito repellent cream and head for air-conditioned rooms. Bathe twice a day to keep the problems at bay,” he added.

Eye Infection

With rains come puddles of dirty water and eye infections soar. But, with a bit of prevention, you could stay safe, says Mahipal Sachdev, chairman and medical director, centre for Sight group of Eye Hospitals.

“Close your eyes when you decide to get soaked in the rain as it screens off atmospheric pollutants. While the rain water is reasonably clean, but you need to be wary of the rain water if you stand under a tree or a building, as it can be contaminated with pollutants, which could increase eye infections,” said Sachdev.

Emphasizing on hygienic practices, Sachdev advises how conjunctivitis and stye could be avoided.

"These infections are contagious and can be easily transmitted via towels, handkerchiefs, lenses, glasses and other articles handled during the course of daily activities. To avoid infection, you need to ensure that you do not share articles of personal use with anyone else," he said.

Eye infections result in redness of eyes and watery discharge. One should use an antibiotic eye drop to treat eye infections, but only after it has been prescribed by an ophthalmologist. Use of contact lenses should be avoided during any kind of infection in the eye.