Dental X-rays are a common feature of routine dental visits, but the debate around their necessity and safety keeps resurfacing time and again. Over the years, concerns about their overuse, potential health risks, and financial costs have prompted questions about whether these radiographs are truly necessary or not. In 2012, a study published in the peer-reviewed journal Cancer suggested that dental X-rays could cause meningioma, a type of tumour that grows in the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. However, later scientists pointed out the study’s flaws, including its reliance on patients' recollection of their X-ray history—a method prone to inaccuracies. Further research found no significant link between full-mouth X-rays, which deliver higher radiation doses, and meningioma. The debate reignited in 2016 when a health economist highlighted the financial incentives of routine X-rays. Most recently, a 2024 article in Ars Technica questioned the evidence supporting routine dental X-rays, prompting discussions on whether these procedures should be reconsidered.

Here's What Science Says

What Are The Risks?

Dental X-rays are performed by emitting a controlled burst of radiation, which passes through the jaw and teeth to create detailed images of their internal structures. However, the radiation exposure from dental X-rays is minimal. A single bitewing X-ray delivers a dose of 0.3 to 5 microSieverts (µSv), far lower than a chest X-ray (100 µSv) or a head CT scan (1,000 µSv). Even dentists who perform multiple X-rays daily are exposed to radiation levels well below the permissible limits for healthcare workers. Modern practices, such as digital X-rays, further minimize radiation exposure.

How Can You Ensure A Safe Dental X-Ray?

Dental associations emphasize that X-rays should not be taken routinely or based on fixed schedules. Instead, dentists should assess a patient's risk factors, oral health, and symptoms before recommending radiographs. For example, the American Dental Association suggests intervals of 6 months to 3 years between bitewing X-rays, depending on a patient's age and risk for cavities.

While some dentists may overprescribe X-rays for financial gain, others adhere to the ALARA principle-Low As Reasonably Achievable. This approach ensures radiation exposure is minimized without compromising diagnostic accuracy.

Routine dental X-rays can help monitor oral health, but their necessity depends on individual circumstances. If you are concerned about radiation or cost, do not hesitate to ask your dentist about the rationale behind their recommendation. More robust research is needed to determine the true benefits and risks of frequent dental X-rays, but for now, the dose remains minimal and unlikely to harm most patients.

As air quality in Delhi continues to worsen, the visibility has also been impacted. In fact, the national capital's major landmarks, including the India Gate has been shrouded in thick smog. As a result, many are now reporting with breathing issues, however, the air quality's condition worsening impacts more than just lungs and respiratory system.

"Air pollution is eating into our bodies just like termites eat into wood," says Dr Arvind Kumar, Thoracic Surgeon and Lung Health Specialist at Medanta Hospital to ANI.

He highlights that the air pollution does not only impact the lungs, but also the IQ of the kids, non-smokers and their risk of cancer, and life expectancy.

How Does Air Pollution Impact IQ of Kids?

Dr Kumar notes that air pollution can now also reach fetus through mother's placenta. The way nutrients reach the womb to the baby, the pollutants, thanks to its minute size could travel through blood and reach to the babies. "IQ in kids are low," says Dr Kumar. As per a UNICEF report, toxic air lowers children's IQ and memory and affects their test scores and also triggers neurological deficit hyperactivity disorder. It further leads to development delays.

The report has estimated 17 million babies worldwide, with around 12 million living in South Asia, live in areas that record pollution levels six times higher than the international safe limits of 20 micrograms per cubic meter for PM 10 and 10 microgram per cubic meter for PM 2.5.

This brings us to Dr Kumar's next point, on how these particulate matters are now leading to lowering life expectancy.

Life Expectancy Lowered By 3 to 4 Years

Dr Kumar says that the overall life expectancy of an average adult is also going down by 3 to 4 years.

"We breathe on an average for 25,000 times a day, and end up inhaling 10,000 liters of air. While 20% of which is oxygen, we also inhale unwanted particles, which are some seriously disease causing chemicals including PM2.5," he says.

He further notes that while there has been discrepancies in the PM2.5 levels and overall pollution levels in the national capital, it could be agreed that on an average the AQI remains over 300.

However, in 100 AQI, there are around 22 microgram of PM2.5, which is equivalent to 1 cigarette. So, if a person breathes in 300 or above AQI, then the person is inhaling smoke equivalent to 15 to 20 cigarettes.

Which brings to the third most important point the doctor noted, which is the ending difference between the lungs of smokers and non smokers.

The Distinction Between Smokers And Non-smokers Is Ending

"Earlier we had 90% of lung cancer patients who smoked, and 10% were non smokers. Now, it is 50-50," says the doctor.

The doctor noted that due to the toxic air that everyone is inhaling, now there is no difference between the cancer risk between a smoker and a non smoker. In fact, as per the data, nearly 1 in 4 adults who smoke, among them, more than one-third are men, while women are only 8%. However, the doctor notes that there is no difference between a woman's and a man's risk for lung cancer, even though the data shows that less women smoke, all thanks to the toxic air pollution.

What Can Be Done?

The safety precautions that time and again many doctors have said include:

• Avoid going out during peak pollution hours
• Wear N-95 Mask
• Hydrate yourself
• If one can afford, bring an air purifier in your home

A recent paper in The Journal of Nutrition reports that there is promising, although still developing, scientific evidence linking regular yogurt intake with a lower chance of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D). These findings supported the Food and Drug Administration’s 2024 decision to permit a qualified health claim for yogurt.

The agency stated that steady yogurt consumption appears to be tied to reduced T2D risk and that the new claim can help guide public messaging to encourage people to eat more yogurt, which also raises intake of nutrients many people lack, such as calcium. To understand this connection more clearly, we spoke with Prof. (Dr.) Supriya Awasthi, Dean and Professor at the School of Allied Health Sciences, Noida International University.

What Is Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is a long-term condition in which the body does not make enough insulin or does not respond to it properly. This leads to high blood sugar levels that gradually damage nerves, blood vessels, and several organs. It is the most widespread form of diabetes. According to the Mayo Clinic, it can often be delayed or prevented by staying active and maintaining a healthy weight.

Yogurt, a simple and widely consumed dairy food, has attracted attention for its possible protective effect. Fermented foods like yogurt contain helpful bacteria known as probiotics. These bacteria support gut health. Research on the gut is still progressing, but scientists now believe the balance of gut bacteria may affect many health concerns, including obesity and diabetes.

Since type 2 diabetes is one of the most common lifestyle-related disorders worldwide, experts continue to study how daily food choices shape its risk. But can a weekly serving of yogurt truly matter? Dr Supriya said that it can, especially when yogurt is part of an overall balanced eating pattern.

Yogurt And Diabetes Type 2

Yogurt offers probiotics that help keep the gut microbiome in good condition. A healthy gut environment supports better metabolism, lowers inflammation, and improves how the body handles glucose. Ongoing inflammation and poor gut balance are well-known contributors to insulin resistance, which is the driving factor behind type 2 diabetes. According to Dr Supriya, regular yogurt intake may ease these problems and help the body manage blood sugar more effectively.

She also explained that yogurt’s protein content and naturally low glycemic index offer added advantages. She said, “Protein keeps you satisfied longer and helps curb sudden cravings. Foods with a low glycemic index do not raise blood sugar quickly. This can help prevent spikes in insulin and reduce the chances of developing insulin resistance over time.”

Several studies show that people who include plain or low-fat yogurt in their weekly meals tend to manage their weight better, which is an important part of lowering diabetes risk.

Is Yogurt Bad For Diabetic Patients?

Yogurt is not harmful for people with diabetes, but choosing the right kind is essential. Many flavored or sweetened yogurts contain large amounts of added sugar, which can raise the risk of diabetes complications. The best choices are plain, unsweetened, low-fat, or Greek yogurt. These provide strong nutritional value without unnecessary sugar. Adding fruits, nuts, or seeds can improve taste in a healthy way.

Dr Supriya said, “While yogurt can support better metabolic health, it should not be viewed as a cure on its own. Its benefits are strongest when combined with a healthy routine that includes regular physical activity, weight control, fiber-rich meals, and limited sweets.” Even so, having yogurt two to four times a week may help maintain steadier blood sugar and lower long-term risk for type 2 diabetes.

Eating yogurt each week can be a simple and useful step in a diabetes-prevention plan. Its probiotics, protein, and gentle effect on blood sugar make it a valuable food for metabolic wellbeing. By choosing plain, low-sugar varieties and pairing them with healthy lifestyle habits, people can take a small but meaningful step toward lowering their chances of developing type 2 diabetes.

A low-dose of a cheap drug widely used to treat gout could reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in people already living with heart disease, finds a to a new analysis. The findings are based on a major Cochrane review, which suggests that colchicine, a long-established medication for treating inflammation and pain could have a powerful role beyond its traditional use.

What Did The Study Find?

Colchicine is one of the first-line treatments for gout on the NHS, commonly prescribed to ease the sudden and severe joint pain associated with the condition. But researchers have long suspected that its anti-inflammatory properties may benefit people with cardiovascular disease as well. The new Cochrane review strengthens that theory.

The review analyzed 12 clinical trials involving 22,983 participants with a history of heart disease, previous heart attacks, or stroke. Out of these, 11,524 individuals were assigned a low daily dose of colchicine, typically 0.5 mg taken once or twice a day, and were monitored for cardiovascular outcomes over several months.

According to the findings, people with existing cardiovascular disease who took colchicine for at least six months were less likely to experience major cardiovascular events such as heart attacks or strokes. Researchers noted that inflammation plays a key role in plaque buildup and instability in the arteries, and colchicine’s ability to dampen inflammation may help reduce these risks.

Significant Reduction in Heart Attacks and Strokes

The review’s authors highlighted that the protective effect was clear and consistent across the trials. For every 1,000 people treated with low-dose colchicine, there were nine fewer heart attacks and eight fewer strokes compared with those who did not take the medication. While these numbers may appear modest, experts point out that at a population level, such reductions can translate into thousands of prevented events.

“Reductions like this can make a real difference for patients who live with ongoing, lifelong cardiovascular risk,” said Dr Ramin Ebrahimi, co-lead author from University Medicine Greifswald in Germany. The findings suggest that colchicine could become an accessible addition to current heart-disease prevention strategies, especially given its low cost and widespread availability.

Mild Side Effects Noted

Despite its potential benefits, colchicine is not risk-free. Participants taking the drug reported a higher incidence of gastrointestinal side effects, such as stomach discomfort or mild digestive issues. These reactions, however, were generally not severe enough to require discontinuing the medication.

Dr Lars Hemkens, senior author from the University of Bern in Switzerland, emphasized the importance of the findings, noting: “These results come from publicly funded trials repurposing a very old, low-cost drug for an entirely new use. It shows the power of academic research to reveal treatment opportunities that traditional drug development often overlooks,” as reported by Independent.

How Colchicine Works

According to the NHS, colchicine works by reducing inflammation triggered by the buildup of uric acid crystals in the joints, a hallmark of gout. Its anti-inflammatory action helps ease pain flare-ups. The medication is typically supplied in 500-microgram tablets, although the exact dosage varies depending on the individual's condition and treatment plan.

With growing evidence pointing toward its cardiovascular benefits, researchers say colchicine may soon be considered not just a gout medication, but a valuable tool in heart-disease prevention.