Dental wise

Dear Doctor,
I read your answers regularly. You have written about bad breath many times. Reading those answers I realized that I need a very strong mouthwash to get rid of mine. I don't have any particular oral disease. I smoke during the night. Just one or two cigarettes. Can you suggest a very strong mouthwash? Where I can find them? How much it will cost me? Also please let me know if there will be any side effects if I use it regularly? Hope you can help me. R. Islam

Dear Mr. Islam
Try to avoid commercial mouthwashes for regular use. Most of them contain nothing other than flavour, dye, and alcohol. Although they can initially destroy the bacteria and get rid of your bad breath, it is only temporary and the bacteria will return later in greater force.
There are a number of causes of bad breath, including:
· Poor oral hygiene
· Gum disease (e.g. gum boils, abscesses, spongy gums, gingivitis)
· Multiplication of odor-causing bacteria in the mouth and digestive tract
· Candidiasis
· Chronic sinus infection
· Certain medications (especially those that cause dry mouth as a side effect)
· Smoking
· Some foods can cause bad breath (garlic, onions, anchovies, high protein diet)
· Poor digestion and sluggish liver
· Constipation

You should try to brush your teeth after every meal. You may need to carry around a travel sized toothbrush and a tube of toothpaste. Make sure you brush your teeth, tongue, and gums for at least two minutes. It is important to replace your toothbrush every two to three months. You should also floss your teeth at least three times per week. It is better to increase your fruit intake while decreasing foods that are high in sugar, alcohol, and vinegar.

Dear Dr. Khan
I write to you with regard to so-called dental surgeons who do not have practicing licenses in Bangladesh. I want to know whether they can practice without government permission? I know of a few dental clinics (with very modern facilities with a high number of VIP clients)) located in Banani and Gulshan that are run by non qualified local and foreign dental surgeons (actually they are dental technicians). Can a foreign doctor/technician practice in Bangladesh? Actually one of my relatives who has diabetes and hypertension died after tooth extraction by them. After the surgery there were lots of complications which they failed to deal with and advised her to go abroad and ultimately she died in Singapore. According to the doctor in Singapore, she died because of improper preoperative management.

Now I have few questions, can I take any legal action against them/their establishment regarding that particular malpractice? Do they have license/government permission? Can a technician write a prescription? Can a foreign doctor/dentist practice in Bangladesh?

Unfortunately I saw many well educated people, diplomats and high officials visiting the clinic without knowing their real quality.

I hope government takes necessary action against them.
Thanking you
Khaja Najimuddin

Dear Mr.Najimuddin
Can I take any legal action against them/their establishment regarding that mal practice?

Yes you can take legal action against any doctor/dentist about their gross negligence during patient management. Provided you have all the supporting documents about their malpractice and illegal establishment in Bangladesh. I think its better to consult with a lawyer.

Do they have license/government permission?
I do not know about their license or permission issue since I am not sure which clinic you mean.
Can a technician write a prescription?
No.

Can foreign doctor/dentist practice in Bangladesh?
After fulfilling certain government requirements, he or she can get a job in a hospital or institution (Work permit against hospital/institution). But they probably cannot have a private practice of their own.
For further information please visit Dr Khan's website www.aikodental.com

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Special feature

Our most prized citizens

It is finally retirement day! Everyone offers their congratulations, and a reception is held. You think to yourself, "Finally!" But at the back of your mind there is a queer feeling of sadness, fear and loneliness. How are you going to spend your days now? Will you become an irritable old person with nothing to do? The same thoughts occur to those women who think their new daughters-in-law are finally capable of taking the responsibilities of the whole household, which had taken so many years of nourishing, polishing, and sacrificing for the mother-in-law to make so perfect. She didn't wanted to give up the keys, but it was now or never.

This period of distress over the fear of the unknown reaches every man or woman once they cross 65, and it will inevitably visit those it hasn't yet. It is mainly a matter of logistics, based on the circle of life. It is mandatory for every human being to face this phase in their life, but it is up to the individuals who are close to them to help them choose how to take advantage of the situation instead of only looking at it from a negative perspective.

The aged members of our families reach their most vulnerable phase starting from the age of 60. They lose the old zest and spirit they used to have in life and their decisions seem to matter less and less to their offspring. They begin to feel less important in the lives of their families having little left to offer them. By this time, most have given up everything they had in terms of finance, strength, spirit, words of advice- everything a person would need to lead an independent, strong life, to their children.

Now when their children are doing so well for themselves, they often forget the reason for their success. Parents never expect this recognition because they think it is a part of duty, but it wouldn't hurt for us to take some time out for them from our busy schedules.

We can show our gratitude in many ways, but the most effective would be to just show that our parents are never forgotten. We should always remember their birthdays and anniversaries, always ask their opinions before making an important decision or even a small day to day decision. Usually they tend to agree with whatever you want as long as it makes you happy, but it makes them feel important if you let them think they still influence your life with their opinions. In many circumstances they may even offer valuable advice that can detract you from a bad decision.

Make sure your elders have an important part in the administration of the household, even fathers, once they retire. Most intelligent fathers still have their own sources of income for their helpless days, but if they don't you should provide them with an amount to use any way they please to. In most cases these funds go into spoiling their grandchildren. Let your children be spoilt a little, as long as there are limits. The love and wisdom they get from each other is more valuable than anything else. Be strict but only when you need to be.

Retired folks become bored with life as it loses the momentum it had once when they were young and active. So it is important to never make them feel like burdens, but rather as blessings. It might be hard on you if an elder falls ill, but if you stop to think and count the hours they spent caring for you whenever you needed them, it seems like the least you can do. And also, think about the time when you will also reach that age eventually, when you too would want your children to do the same for you.

Your own children will learn from the example you set for them. Age discrimination is a problem common to our country as well as the world. If at any stage you feel you cannot take care of your parents, please send them to an old age home instead of showing them any sort of injustice.

As a society, we often avoid, forget or even neglect the most prized members of our family- our elders. This negligence is usually done subconsciously and is the result of the hassles of a busy life. Take a little time out of your daily schedules for your respected ones. It's sure to make a difference in everyone's lives.

By Aziza Choudhury