Have Teeth Like Pearls

Are you going to eat that red, juicy apple? 

Yes! Take a bite with your strong, white teeth and munch, crunch and chew till it is broken into small pieces, making it easy for you to swallow and digest it. 

Have you ever wondered about your teeth and the important role they play in your life?

Healthy teeth and gums are important for our overall health, eating, swallowing, smiling and even talking. Come on, let us take a look at your teeth and see if you are taking good care of them.

Enemy Attack

Bacteria are our teeth’s number one enemy but only when we keep the defences down. So you can say that actually it is our bad habits and poor food choices that are our teeth’s biggest enemy. Let us take a look at some of the most common teeth problems that we face.

Cavities:

When we eat, the bacteria in our mouth produce a sticky substance called plaque which covers our tooth enamel. If this plaque is not removed regularly by proper brushing, it coats our teeth. The acids then start to eat away the enamel and small holes called cavities begin to form.

Just like a drill which makes holes in wooden planks, the plaque keeps on eroding the enamel and the cavities get bigger and bigger till they reach the pulp where all the nerves are situated. You can get a massive toothache when that happens.

Halitosis:

Halitosis means bad breath. It can be a very embarrassing problem that also arises from bad dental hygiene. There can be many reasons for bad breath but the most common and easily preventable reason is left over food particles in your mouth that are left to decompose and cause bad smell.

Yellow teeth:

If you have yellow or discoloured teeth, you might not want to say “cheese” when your school photograph is being taken. Yellow teeth are caused when you do not brush your teeth properly or not long enough. Some drinks like tea, coffee, colas and candies with food colours can also give you discoloured teeth.

How to keep your teeth healthy

• To keep your teeth healthy, you must practice good oral habits. These habits are:
• Brush your teeth twice a day....first thing in the morning and before going to sleep at night.
• Brush the teeth after eating sweets, toffees, lollipops etc. or at least rinse your mouth thoroughly with water.
• Eat lots of fruits and vegetables.
• Avoid snacking on sugary food stuffs and fizzy drinks that are harmful for the teeth

How to brush your teeth?

The best way to brush your teeth is in continuous circular motions till you clean every tooth in your mouth from the gum line to the biting edge of the teeth. Also brush up and down, rather than from side to side. Be extra careful of reaching your molars at the back. We often neglect to clean them because we are in a hurry to get ready for school or go to bed at night.

Dentists recommend that you should clean your teeth for at least 2 minutes. You can time yourself with a stopwatch or sing a song that is two minutes long while brushing. Brush your teeth gently and do not scrub them too hard or you might hurt your gums.

You do not need to use a great quantity of toothpaste every time you brush your teeth. Use a pea-size quantity but brush your teeth thoroughly. Also rinse your mouth afterwards to get all the residue out.  Gargle at the end to get rid of bacteria lurking at the back of your mouth.

Taking care of your tooth brush

It is equally important to take care of your tooth brush because it is the thing that does the cleaning in your mouth. If your tooth brush is dirty and germ-ridden, it can cause a lot of health problems for you. Use a tooth brush with gentle bristles and replace it every 3 months.

Do not leave your toothbrush lying around in the bathroom or on the floor. Try to buy those toothbrushes that come with caps. Clean the tooth brush with running water every time you use it and place the cap especially at night so that cockroaches do not spend the night in them.

Good Food for Strong Teeth:

Calcium and Vitamin D are essential for strong teeth and bones. Almonds, dairy products (milk, yoghurt, and cheese), apples, carrots, strawberries, citrus fruits and leafy green vegetables are good sources of important nutrients that keep your teeth and gums healthy. Also remember to drink plenty of water as it cleanses the mouth and helps to wash away trapped food particles.

Take good care of your pearly whites. They are worth it!!

A Hero's Tale

Ali Noor looked at the little group gathered outside the school with dread. He hated this part of the school morning. 

Everyday, before the bell rang for assembly, Junaid and his little band of bullies would gather near the school gate and wait for Ali Noor’s arrival. As Ali would hobble across the paved sidewalk, their group would stare and laugh at him.

“Here he comes,” he heard Junaid say excitedly. “Get ready, Hamid. It’s your turn today.” 

Ali Noor felt cold with fear. “What are they planning to do today?” He wondered.

He did not have to wait for long. As he entered the gate, Hamid got behind him, exaggerating his every movement. He dragged his feet and then hopped as all the boys erupted in loud laughter and chuckles. They considered it all a big joke.

Ali Noor felt tears of rage and helplessness spring in his eyes. He was extremely humiliated and wanted to hit them but he was alone and crippled and they were four in number. He silently hitched his bag on his shoulder and moved towards the school building while the boys behind him were still doubled with laughter.

Near the brick building, Faraz was waiting for his friend. He took one look at his Ali’s face and exclaimed 

“They have been making fun of you again, haven’t they Ali?  Why don’t you report them to the principal?” he asked angrily.

Ali Noor shook his head. He was fourteen years old and he did not want to seem like a cry baby.

“No Faraz. It will only make things worse. Forget it”

“They don’t know anything about me. They just don’t understand.” Ali Noor would keep reminding himself.  If only Junaid stopped picking on him; he was sure the others would back off as well. Junaid came from a rich, affluent family and was bit of a spoiled brat.

After school, Junaid was again waiting for him at the gate.

"Hey, Ali. Are you the new hunchback of Notre-Dame?”

Ali silently passed Junaid and was stepping around others when Junaid put his foot out. It caused Ali to trip and fall comically on the sidewalk. Laughing loudly the bullies went away.

Ali Noor was fed up with their cruel jokes! This time he could not hold back the tears.  Three years ago, Ali and his family had faced a life changing situation and ended up in Islamabad. Ali was new in his school but no one yet knew his story and it was hard to talk about the traumatic incident.

When he entered his house, his mother saw the tears and instantly enveloped her brave son in a warm hug. "Ali, isn’t Friday the Assembly Day at your school?  I have an idea that might just stop those bullies from making fun of you," she said. 

Ali Noor looked at his mother with doubt but as he listened to her suggestion, he slowly nodded. Together, mother and son started working on their project. 

Next morning, the school bell was ringing as Ali Noor and his mother entered the school with large posters. While Ali went to his class to deposit his school bag, his mother went to the Principal’s office to talk to him. Making his way to his class; he stumbled once again over Junaid’s feet which he had stuck out just as Ali was passing.  Ali Noor just picked himself up with dignity and went to the Assembly area. 

A peon was setting up the posters on tripod stand. After the prayer and school anthem, the principal announced:

“Today we are having a special show and tell segment. A young hero will tell you his story and I hope everyone will pay attention,” he added sternly.

.Ali Noor limped up the stairs and began his story

“As you all know, a horrific earthquake occurred in October 2005 in northern areas of Pakistan. I was in my school in Balakot and I saw death and devastation all around me. Many of my class fellows were trapped under rubble.

I could hear their shouts of help but there was chaos everywhere. I had stepped outside for a glass of water and that saved my life. I tried to move slabs and stones with my bare hands. Some people soon gathered but the passage was too narrow and many students were hurt. 

I was slender enough to go down and drag some of my injured fellow students out. Again and again I crawled under and pulled one student out at a time. There was another aftershock and a slab fell on my back. I was later rescued by army personnel but extensive damage had occurred. I have been in physiotherapy for the past three years and have recently joined school again. I was not always a cripple. You can look at the photographs….”

There was pin drop silence as students stared at Ali Noor with awe and admiration. A few teachers wiped their tears. Junaid and his friends were really ashamed. Suddenly Junaid stood up and went to Ali Noor and embraced him in a tight hug. 

“You are a true hero, Ali. Can you forgive me?”

All was forgotten and the two boys became best friends.

Hello Spring

The sky becomes blue

As winter days bid adieu

The birds gets chirping

Ah! Spring is coming

No more sleet, no heavy rains

Farmers get busy to grow their grains

Trees get ready to dress in green

Oh! How cold the winter had been

Roses bloom and so do blue bells

Baby chicks peek out of their egg shells

Lakes and streams sparkle, dewdrops glitter

Colorful flowers sprout as butterflies flitter

The weather becomes perfect, sunny and clear

Oh how wonderful! Spring is finally here.

Not Such a Good Idea After All!

Khalid clutched his stomach and let out a loud groan.

“I really can’t go to school today, Mother. I have a terrible stomach ache.”

His mother looked at him with concern and some exasperation.

“Khalid, how can you have a stomach ache now? You were absolutely fine last night,” his mother said, checking his forehead for any sign of fever and finding none.

“It just started suddenly,” Khalid answered feebly.

“I’ll make you some herbal tea. I have a very important meeting at office today. Will you be all right by yourself?” she asked, feeling rather worried.

“Yes, mother. Please go to your office. I’ll be fine,” Khalid quickly assured her.

As soon as he heard his mother leave, Khalid jumped out of the bed with a whoop. It was Friday morning and Khalid had a very special reason for not attending school. You see, on last Friday of every month, his math teacher Sir Hassan would take a special test to see how much mathematical concepts his students had understood. 

Sir Hassan was a very dedicated teacher and would gladly spend hours explaining theory and numericals to the students. He did not mind going over the same thing again and again till he was certain that each and every student was on board. But he expected the same level of commitment from his students too.

If anyone did not do well in his special tests he would make sure the student stayed behind in recess and sports classes. Sir Hassan would then coach him on a one to one basis. Khalid was quite intelligent but quite careless. 

His mother was sometimes very disappointed with his lack of commitment to his studies and often urged him to balance his play time and studies but her reminders fell on deaf ears. 

At home he spent most of his time glued to his computer games. He had not studied a single word last evening and spent the entire time flying virtual planes and shooting down the enemy. Now he dreaded giving the test and had faked a stomach ache to avoid it. 

Feeling very pleased with himself, Khalid roamed the house in his pajamas. He made his own breakfast and ate it in front of the television. 

“My poor friends,” he thought smugly. “They’ll be sweating over the difficult questions right at this moment while I am lazing around.”

He watched some cartoons and an action movie. By 11 o’ clock, he had started yawning so he switched on his computer. After an hour or so, even his computer games had lost their excitement. By 2 o’clock, he was so bored that he started thinking of his school

“Even Sir Hassan’s most horrid test would be preferable to this boredom,” he thought morosely. “At least in school, I have my friends and so many other activities.”

Out of sheer boredom, he took out his school books and started studying. He was extremely glad when his mother came home in the evening. 

Next Monday, Khalid went to school bright and early. He had a written application from his mother to explain his absence on Friday so he hoped that Sir Hassan would not be too angry. As soon as he entered the school, his friends surrounded him.

“Where were you on Friday, you idiot?” His best friend, Ali grabbed him. “Why did you miss the test?”

“Was Sir Hassan very angry?” Khalid asked nervously.

“No, silly,” Akbar replied. “After he marked the test papers, he invited us all to go with him to PAF Museum.”

“He said we had worked very hard so he had sought special permission from the principal. It was a grand surprise. We went by school bus and had a tremendous time,” added Zohaib.

“Sir Hassan really is great,” Ali raved. “He knows a lot about air crafts. His father was a pilot. We saw wonderful fighter air crafts, lots of weapons and machinery.”

“Do you know the plane used by Muhammed Ali Jinnah is also on display there?” Zeeshan piped in.

“We also did some shopping at the souvenir shop. See this?” Ali proudly showed poor Khalid a small, bright fighter craft model.

“Yes. Sir Hassan loaned us some money……See,” they all crowded around Khalid showing him their proud collection of shirts, pens, key chains and aircraft models.

Khalid was extremely disappointed and felt very sorry for himself. His ambition was to become a fighter pilot when he grew up. Now he had missed a golden chance to visit PAF complex with his friends. Missing school just was not such a good idea after all. 

“Oh why didn't I study for the test? Then I wouldn't have to deceive my mother or miss such a wonderful trip.” Khalid thought guiltily.

Khalid tore up the false application. He went to Sir Hassan and apologized for his absence. Sir Hassan smiled at the sad, little face and forgave him.

That evening, he surprised his mother with a big hug, a perfect test score and a card that said “I am Sorry.” 

Smart Parenting Tips

Children Need Your Time:

If you have young children, do not make the mistake of thinking that a trillion toys are needed to make your child happy and smart. Many parents turn their child’s room into a mini toy-shop. Children grow bored with toys, even the most costly ones and teens grow bored with gadgets that they have not learnt to value or respect. Give them your time instead.

Children Need Limits:

Meeting your child’s every demand whether it relates to eating out, choice of clothes or television habits also promotes obstinacy and stubbornness in them. There needs to be a balancing act between being totally authoritarian "because I say so" and having a very lenient, “do whatever you want” attitude. 

Children Need You To Communicate:

Learn to communicate with your children. Talk to them about everyday issues and concerns especially as they grow older. Ask for their opinions. If you make a decision that runs counter to their wishes, let them know the reasons too. 

Children Need Good Role Models:

One tip for having well behaved children is to say sorry yourself if you lose your temper or say things that you should not have said. Children learn by observation more than being told what to do. If you are not afraid to own your mistakes, they will not be afraid to say sorry when they misbehave.

Children Need Praise and Encouragement:

Never compare your children with other children. While it is all right to say, “I wish you would concentrate on your studies more,” it is very damaging to say “I wish you were intelligent like Mrs. XYZ’s daughter.” If you give the impression to your children that you deem them inferior and not praiseworthy, they might suffer from low self confidence and feel that the world is against them. Such children are most prone to grow up into rebellious, rude and even violent teenagers.

Children Need Discipline:

Many parents make the mistake of letting young children have their own personal computers in their bedrooms. If you have a computer, place it in a room from where you can monitor their online activities. Talk to them about dangers of social network sites . Addiction to such sites makes your children withdrawn, morose and disinterested in things around them. Treat it just like any other addiction and nip it in the bud. 

Children Need Consistency

Many parents think that loving your child means buying them anything that they want. I believe that loving your child means giving them a good disciplined childhood, with good values and understanding of what is right and what is wrong. 

While every child is unique and there are seldom any quick fix solutions for behavioral problems, your own approach goes a long way in shaping their personality.

5 Tips To Use Time Effectively

"Time goes, you say? Ah no! Alas, Time stays, we go."

Each day, there are so many things that we have to do. …attend meetings, keep schedules, meet deadlines, complete chores and just 24 hours in which to complete them.

Sometimes it seems that we are not the ones spending time but it is the time that is spending us and doing so quite ruthlessly.

I am amazed with clock ticking incessantly, people can still waste so much time and while away minutes and hours doing nothing productive. Experts say that there are 5 basic rules regarding time that can help you manage it successfully.

Punctuality:

Whatever you want to do or wherever you want to go, be on time.

Do it Now!

Procrastination wastes precious time and also drains our emotional energy by adding dread and dislike for chores we don’t like, making it harder for us to finish them. So grit your teeth and begin doing it now for “someday”is not a day in any calendar.

Employ waiting time creatively:

Each day we spend a lot of time waiting or commuting. Always have a plan for doing something creative with the time that is inevitably spent in waiting. Read a book, jot down notes, learn a new language, exercise, meditate, the choice is yours.

Learn when to say ‘Yes’ and when to say ‘No':

Since we are not immortals, we do not have an endless amount of time at our disposal. Hence, we have to be selective in our choices. Watch TV, read books, clean up home, rest properly, donate time to charity, sports or exercise, there are endless choices and we have to select a few activities, limit a few and completely discard the rest.

Take time out:

Each day spend a few minutes just doing nothing and relaxing. Go to a park and watch children play or squirrels run up the trees or birds soaring in the sky.

Our time on this earth will inevitably run out. Just use it wisely.

Dealing with temper tantrums in children.

I have two very tried and tested methods of dealing with temper tantrums and I am happy to say that they have been very successful.

Imagine the scenario..a young child kicking his arms and legs about, wailing at top of his lungs and not paying any heed to "please be quiet..please calm down." In my experience, it is impossible to make a child forget his tantrum by saying, "please be quiet." Their volume will only go up and their manner worsen.

My method: I usually look at the child with great deal of interest with eyes wide open but say nothing. The child will soon look at you to see why you are not reacting....

Then I ask, "is this a new poem/song you have learned at school. It sounds very lovely. Can you teach me the lyrics too.?."By this time the child will probably be laughing at the absurd idea and would have forgotten all about his tantrum. This works best when a tantrum is in its early stages. 

My other and even more successful method...just walk away and deprive your child of any audience and his tantrum will stop AT ONCE. When a young child misbehaves, he is only seeking attention.

I usually tell my children, "this type of behavior is not acceptable. Please come and talk to me when you are behaving in a better manner" and then I busy myself with a book, newspaper or kitchen work or I just walk out of the room. 9 out of 10 times, the child will follow you in a much calmer manner.

This way, I have been able to teach my kids that I will not tolerate temper tantrums in my house. My three older ones know that there is nothing to be achieved with howling, bawling, whining or crying. If they want something..they have to ask in a clear voice and a NO by either mom or dad, means a NO.

But I always make a point of asking my children what they would like to have or given an opportunity where they would like to go and then try to get them those things Even if it does take time, my children know that promises will be kept. So I believe that firm discipline and communication act as barriers against tantrums. 

One more thing, for a very small child, just scoop him up and take him in front of a mirror. No child can cry while looking at his own image in the mirror. Try this:-)

18 Signs That Tell You That You Are A Dad

In case the new sleeping arrangement, wakeful nights, and a sharp increase in baby products all over the house do not clue you in to your new status as a father, I have prepared a checklist that will convince you that you have indeed become one.

1) The designs on your spotless white shirt are created by your baby’s posterior and anterior ends.

2) You stop browsing HotWheels.com and start searching the index of AskDr.Warren.com.

3)Your boss catches you asleep on your desk at least 5 times in a week and all you can mumble is “colicky baby.” 

4)Your colleagues discover and forward embarrassing photos of you in your laptop…..those in which you were wearing a bright, shiny, conical birthday hat and blowing a party blower.

5) Your chest expands when you hear cries of “Oh! What a handsome fellow!” and “Isn't he cute?” and deflates when you realize that the girls are referring to the bundle of joy in your arms and not to you.

6) The sights, sounds and content of baby diapers become the topic of conversation at the dinner table.

7) Your mother in law seems to have moved in.

8) You will know that you are a father when you find your mobile phone in the bathtub, your slippers in the fridge and your watch on the teddy bear.

9)You are found watching the Baby Channel when the FIFA World Cup is going on. Any attempt to change the channel is met with a vehement, voluble wailing sound.

10)Tom and Jerry, Dora the Explorer and Sponge Bob Square Pants seem to be permanent residents of your house. Everything around you seems to have come straight out of Nick Jr. or Cartoon Network___ your bed sheets, towels, tooth brushes, crockery, posters on the walls and what not.

11)Instead of financial pages in newspapers and Forbes Magazine 100 New Millionaires, you are found reading bedtime tales and making animal and aeroplane sounds to a relentless, demanding pint-size audience.

12)Every word that you utter in the house in countermanded by a “why?” You begin to rue the day when your child first shook his head to indicate a “no” and you found it cute.

13)Your walls are adorned by a new form of artistic expression; a grand mixture of calligraphy, miniature, finger painting and abstract art that leaves you stunned and speechless.

14)The interior of your car has received a similar treatment but with food items like chocolates, ketchup, ice cream and spilled liquids.

15)Tranquility, peace, quiet and silence are abstract concepts that your tired mind likes to conjure up sometimes. An uninterrupted conversation with your better half becomes a long forgotten memory.

16)The word “shopping”, “traveling” and “let’s go out for dinner” make you break out in a cold sweat. A trip to the beach or visiting some family member seems like as if you are moving houses. 

17)You readily drive extra miles and take long detours to avoid the fast food restaurant with golden arches. (M) 

And last but not the least; your life may have turned upside down and inside out but when a sticky, grubby, melted chocolate covered hand grasps your index finger and you feel as if you own the world, you know that you have indeed become a father..

Maya's Bracelet

Maya’s granny had given her a beautiful gold bracelet on her thirteenth birthday. It had tiny rubies that glittered under the lights and a delicate clasp that could be opened. Maya felt extremely proud and grown up. She decided to wear her new bracelet to her school and brag about it to her friends. 

Maya’s mother told her many times that gold jewelry should be worn at special occasions only but Maya would not listen. When her mother wanted to put it in a safe place, Maya simply ignored her advice and would not take the bracelet off from her arm.

Next day Maya wore her bracelet to school. Students were not allowed to wear real gold jewelry in school but Maya pulled her long sweater sleeve over it during class hours. During recess time, she proudly showed her bracelet to her class fellows who crowded around her.

“Wow! It really is beautiful,” Sara exclaimed and Maya beamed.

“Is it really made of real gold?” Hira asked a bit enviously.

“Of course it is. Can’t you tell the difference? And it is very expensive too.” Maya bragged arrogantly.

“Well, you are not supposed to bring jewelry to school so you better not boast about it or I’ll tell the teacher,” Hira retorted angrily.

Maya was afraid that Hira might carry out her threat so she quickly pulled her sweater sleeve over it. Glaring at Hira, she went away to play with her friends.

When she went back home her mother again asked her to put away the bracelet safely as they had to go out for some shopping. Maya pretended that she had not heard her mother and went to change her clothes. She tossed her uniform in the clothes basket and quickly put on her favorite jeans and shirt. They went shopping and later had tea at her aunt’s house. Maya wanted to show her beautiful bracelet to her cousin but she suddenly noticed that her bracelet was gone. 

Maya was horrified. She jumped up from her chair and looked around the room. She searched under the sofa and behind the cushions. Her mother and aunt saw the commotion and hurried over. When Maya told her that her new bracelet was missing, they also joined in the search. 

Maya could not remember the last time when she had seen it so they checked the shopping bags and boxes. They searched the car and the garden. They went back to the shops and asked the shop keepers. They went to the school and searched the premises with the school peon. But the bracelet was nowhere to be found. 

Maya and her mother came back home feeling tired and dispirited. Her mother was silent and tight lipped. Maya was depressed and tearful.

“Oh why didn't I listen to my mother?” she thought guiltily. “If only I had not worn it to school and to the market. Now I’ll never find it.”

After dinner, Maya went to bed with troublesome thoughts crowding her head. “What will Granny think? She’ll be so disappointed in me. She’ll think I am not responsible enough. And it was so pretty and costly too.” Tears of sorrow and remorse welled up in her eyes and she cried herself to sleep.

Next morning, Maya got ready for school with a very heavy heart. As she picked up her dark green sweater, something fell out of its arm sleeve and rolled under the bed.

“Clink, thud.” 

Maya heard the metallic sound. She went down on her knees and peered under the bed. To her utter delight and amazement, it was her lost bracelet. Its clasp had come loose and opened when Maya had carelessly taken off her sweater and had got entangled in the wool’s weave. 

Maya yelled with joy and rushed off to tell her mother the good news. Her mother was also very happy. Maya hugged her mother tightly and gave her the bracelet for safe keeping. Bragging and boasting is not much fun if it comes with such heartache, she decided. 

Don’t you agree?