Style Files

White Tales
White is not considered to be a colour. It is a non colour, a hue that is probably one of the most significant shades in fashion essentials. It has played an important role since the beginning of civilisation. Egyptians, Greeks and Romans have in the past all made key statements in styling clothes with the use of sheer white fabrics. The utter blankness of white makes it the most versatile hue, which can be developed to create interesting patterns with the construction of fabric, further addition of textures, or surface patterns. It is widely used in warm weathers in spring or summer. White reflects light and succeeds to look fresh and novel.

Fabric
White in sheer fabrics is ideal for summer weather. Light gossamer fabrics can be layered in two, three or more pieces. Voile, linen, chiffon, crepes or light weaves are widely available in Bangladesh. Printed or plain, jacquard or striped, embroidered or cut worked, cotton or silk white weaves are good for summer. Particularly open weaves and muslins for doppattas and tighter but transparent diaphanous fabrics for stitched garments works very well for us.

Engineered
The colour white can be manoeuvred in endless ways. This single colour has infinite possibilities and can be created, developed, and fashioned into great styles. Pleated, draped, or frilled white works well. It may be styled in a formal style, peasant, tunic or baby doll. Collared, shift, spaghetti sun dress or kaftans all can be easily made desirable and embraced with equal ease. White can be very easily dressed up or down. Formal or casual, couture or prêt; white looks fresh, clean, projecting a positive image. White foretells an angelic feel and can be seductive with the use of laces.

Lace
The use of white lace has always been a hot favourite of all designers. Fabrics in lace with all over designs, skirt borders, panelled smaller pieces, or trimming borders are all extensively used the world over. We in Bangladesh, also have access to a wide range of these designs. Lace creates textures. Crafty crocheted or intricate guipure lace makes space for fancy dressing and a great deal of detailing. White on white laced salwar kameez, saree, suits, skirts, shirts or kurti, all have beautiful facets that are interesting and simply romantic. Lace on collars, sleeves, hems, necklines, and chest looks first rate as well. The variation of texture and finish makes it even more enviable and pleasing. White this summer shall be the most sought after colour for you to wear. Pristine and immaculate, white is the non colour that is ideal for your new wardrobe, giving it exactly what it needs.

Dear Dr Khan,
I have had cavities in the molars of my lower jaw for a long time. The hole of the cavity isn't too big. However, it seems that the cavity has spread to other teeth. I have noticed slight black marks on the top of the crown of some of them that do not go away with brushing. I try to maintain a good hygiene, brushing twice a day (sometimes missing to brush at night). What is causing this cavity to form and spread? What can happen if I keep it untreated? Are the teeth likely to fall out? I am very worried, but unfortunately haven't taken any steps towards correcting the problem. Could you also please suggest a healthy diet for teeth?
Thank you.
Khabir Ahmed

Dear Mr Khabir
Though you did not mention your age, it is never a good idea to keep untreated cavities. Actually 'Caries' is Latin for 'rot' or 'rotten'. Rot happens to wood and other materials. Dental Caries or cavity is the most common of all oral diseases, and the average individual has his/her first experience with this disease in childhood. It is recommended that between 11/2-2 years of age, children must have their first checkup before any extensive cavities are established. Dental Caries very often appears as a white chalky area on the enamel. It later softens and then the tooth structure breaks down. If not treated in the initial stages, it progresses towards the pulp and will then require extensive treatment to save the tooth.

How Caries develop…
Bacteria are normally present in the mouth. The bacteria convert all foods -- especially sugar and starch -- into acids. Bacteria, acid, food debris, and saliva combine in the mouth to form a sticky substance called plaque that adheres to the teeth. Plaque begins to accumulate on teeth within 20 minutes after eating (the time when most bacterial activity occurs). If this plaque is not removed thoroughly and routinely, tooth decay will not only begin, but flourish.

The acids in plaque dissolve the enamel surface of the tooth and create holes in the tooth (cavities). Cavities are usually painless until they grow very large inside the tooth and destroy the nerve and blood vessels in the tooth. If left untreated, a tooth abscess can develop. Untreated tooth decay also destroys the internal structures of the tooth (pulp) and ultimately causes the loss of the tooth.

Treatment
Destroyed tooth structure does not regenerate. However, the progression of cavities can be stopped by treatment. The goal is to preserve the tooth and prevent complications. In filling teeth, the decayed material is removed (by drilling) and replaced with a restorative material such as silver alloy, porcelain, or composite resin inlay and onlay. Porcelain and composite resin more closely match the natural tooth appearance, and may be preferred for front teeth. Many dentists consider silver amalgam (alloy) which is often used on back teeth. But remember it contains mercury and nowadays in some developed countries it's a banned item. Crowns are used if decay is extensive and there is limited tooth structure, which may cause weakened teeth. Large fillings in weak teeth increase the risk of the tooth breaking. The decayed or weakened area is removed and repaired. A covering jacket or "cap" (crown) is fitted over the remainder of the tooth. Crowns are often made of gold, porcelain or porcelain fused to metal.

A root canal is recommended if the nerve in a tooth dies from decay or from a traumatic blow. The centre of the tooth, including the nerve and blood vessel tissue (pulp), is removed along with decayed portions of the tooth. The roots are filled with a sealing material. The tooth is filled and a crown may be placed over it if needed.

Prevention
Oral hygiene is necessary to prevent cavities. This consists of regular professional cleaning (every 6 months), brushing at least twice a day, and flossing at least daily. X-rays may be taken yearly to detect possible cavity development in high risk areas of the mouth.

Chewy, sticky foods (such as dried fruit or candy) are best eaten as part of a meal rather than as a snack. If possible, brush the teeth or rinse the mouth with water after eating these foods. Minimize snacking, which creates a constant supply of acid in the mouth. Avoid constant sipping of sugary drinks or frequent sucking on candy and mints.

Dental sealants can prevent cavities. Sealants are thin plastic-like coating applied to the chewing surfaces of the molars. This coating prevents the accumulation of plaque in the deep grooves on these vulnerable surfaces. Sealants are usually applied on the teeth of children, shortly after the molars erupt. Older people may also benefit from the use of tooth sealants.

Fluoride is often recommended to protect against dental caries. Topical fluoride is also recommended to protect the surface of the teeth. This may include a fluoride toothpaste or mouthwash. Many dentists include application of topical fluoride solutions (applied to a localized area of the teeth) as part of routine visits.

For more information please visit Dr. Khan's website www. Aikodental.com

Beli, Jasmine, Dolonchapa or any other fragrant fresh flowers act as excellent air fresheners without any hazardous effects on the environment.

Under a different sky

By Iffat Nawaz

Our Children

Our children haven't awakened yet. They are not yet born. Our children know not what their faces will carry, what their veins will commit, what their voices will accomplish. They will also fail.

Our children living in our souls, waiting for their birth have created their sagas already. They will be third generation Bengalis since Bangladesh was no longer East Pakistan, or second generation American, Australian, Canadian, according to whatever place we have travelled to and made our home. Our children will define purity in their own way- purity of race, purity by clarification, purity by difference.

My children will be different from yours, and their differences will be similar. Some of them won't know religion. Some of them won't know our mother tongue, and most of them won't understand our history. It will all be empty words to them.

Our children will see less blood, less guns, less sadness. They will define progressive thinking, curiosity, nonchalant ness, minimalism, and unlike us they will not be selfish.

Our children will wake up earlier and go out for longer runs. They will take steeper walks, stare at the sky more often, climb more trees, sing more songs, dance to more beats. They will smell more flowers, save more lives and their hands will be softer but stronger. Their eyes will be sharper.

Our children won't teach us and we will never learn. We will never change. They won't blame us for it. They will understand as their insides will be filled with kindness. Their lives will be memorable, each and every one of them.

Our children will create a new world, a more polished world. It will be safer too if they are given a chance. Our children will not look like us.

Our children will know to respect, not just others but their own selves. They will learn to respect their surroundings, what's here, there and what might be.

Our children won't teach us, because we will never learn. They won't preach to us, because we will never believe.

And like us they will not believe. They will not believe us, our past and theirs. They will only believe the present and what's in it.

Some of us will leave nothing behind and some will only carry everything and not let go. Some of us will envy our children, for what was given to us, by us.

Our children might fail, they might fall, or they might never be. But they are perfect, because everything in the future is perfect, like our children- the ones who will be and the ones who will never be.

Summer babies are luckier

People born in April/May are more likely to have a spring in their step than those who started life in January, new research shows. Don't stop reading yet folks, there is more.

Study reveals that it is possible to be "born lucky" depending on the time of year your mother gave birth.

The effect might be due to changes in how some parents interact with their babies during summer and winter.

Those born in April/May experience almost the whole summer during their first six months, while October-borns encounters the winter.

The environmental factors around the birth period, like exposure to sunshine and temperature could all influence the body's biological systems, with effects extending into adulthood.

Lucky "summer-borns" include footballer David Beckham, rugby player Jonny Wilkinson, and model Jordan. Harry Potter author JK Rowling was also a "summer" baby born in July.

The good news for winter-borns is that people can improve their luck by being more optimistic and making the most of the opportunities that come their way.