According to World Health Organization, cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide and counted for around 13% of all deaths in 2008. 4 February is marked as World Cancer Day to promote ways to prevent cancer and raising quality of life for cancer patients.

Reducing Risks of Cancer

We can minimize our risks of cancer by leading a healthy lifestyle.

1)    Healthy Diet: Consumption of certain food may increase the risk of cancer. Singapore Cancer Foundation recommends keeping a healthy diet, by eating less food high in fat and smoked and salted food. High consumption of salt increase the risk of stomach cancer. Thus it is recommended to eat not more than 5gr of salt daily. Also, eating too much red meat is associated with colorectal cancer. Instead, consume more foods with high fibre such as vegetables and fruits and of course drink more water to keep yourself hydrated.

2)    Exercise 30 Minutes Daily: Keeping a healthy weight is important by exercise regularly. Being overweight has been linked to several major cancers like breast, colorectal and kidney cancer.

3)    Quit Smoking and Reduce Alcohol Consumption: It is known that cigarettes and alcohol are the leading cause of oral cancer and head and neck cancer.

4)    Regular Screening for Early Detection: When cancer growth is detected at early stage, it has a high potential for cure. It would also cost less, both financially and psychologically. According to WHO’s publication, cancer prevention can save about 40% of all cancer deaths. Women above 40 years old should get mammogram screening yearly, as it is known that in Singapore breast cancer are most prevalent in women at the age of 50 years to 59 years. Also, those who have family member(s) with cancer history should do regular check up with relevant health provider, as some cancers are hereditary.

For those who are suffered from cancer, there are more support groups and help provided for the sufferers and their family members, such as the programmes provided by Parkway
Cancer Centre, CanHope or Breast Cancer Foundation Singapore. One should not suffer alone!

Read our previous article on dental care for cancer patients and if you think these articles are useful, please share them with your family & friends.

Polident, a US-based dental adhesive maker company, completed a survey on 1,000 denture wearers in Singapore in 2011. The survey revealed that one third of them experienced loose-fitting dentures. Surprisingly, out of the 1,000 respondents, 39% were aged from 15 – 34 years old.

The high number of young people who have lost their teeth in their early years could be due to eating habits and changing lifestyles. More people snack between meals and consume drinks with higher sugar levels. This increases the incidence of tooth decay leading to tooth loss.

Dentures are a common method to replace missing teeth. However, a vast majority of denture wearers complain of discomfort and insecurity, fearing that the dentures may fall out, especially for those with a full set of dentures.

Some denture wearers may find that dental adhesives are helpful in securing the dentures, improving the chewing efficiency and speech. This may not be a perfect solution, as dental adhesives may loosen when it comes into contact with water. Thus wearers who love to do water sports may find that it affects their hobby. Some of our denture patients have told us that they stopped swimming for fear that the dentures would fall out and be lost during the activity.  

Nowadays, with more information readily available for the public, people are aware of other treatment options in replacing missing teeth, such as bridges and dental implants. While dentures are more affordable, bridges and dental implants may be a more comfortable and long term solution.

Just like dentures, bridges and dental implants have their own advantages and disadvantages. Bridges are a good option for those with one or two missing teeth. It is also an option for people who may not have enough bone to do dental implants (although in most occasions, bone grafting could help in adding the bone level to support the dental implants). However, the nature of bridges is that two adjacent teeth need to be shaped down to act as supporting teeth for the bridges.  

Thus, if the clinical condition allows, people with multiple missing teeth would benefit greatly with dental implants. There is no need to file down the healthy adjacent teeth. As each tooth is treated individually, if there is a problem with a particular tooth, the dentist will need to treat that one tooth only.

Your dentist will be able to advise on the best treatment option after a thorough examination and consultation. It is important to note that maintenance after the treatments is also crucial to ensure that the new teeth/dentures are in tip top condition.

If you have any questions about tooth replacement, or would like to make an appointment, feel free to contact us

For the past few years, having gaps between the teeth have become a fashion trend. Americans and Australians are going to the dentist to create a gap between their teeth. Cosmopolitan Australia has featured the news as “on-trend teeth” and shows the pictures of the fashion icons such as Madonna and Anna Paquin with their ‘perfect imperfect smile’.

If you have been thinking about creating a man-made gap between your teeth, here are a few things to consider before going through the procedure:

• With time, people with gaps between their teeth may find that the adjacent teeth will shift, resulting in crooked teeth, which is aesthetically less appealing. In addition, crooked teeth may be a food trap, causing difficulty in brushing and in the long run, causing tooth decay.
• Once your teeth are filed down (during the creation of the gap), the enamel would not grow back. When gapped front teeth are no longer the ‘in’ thing, you will incur more time and financial investment in restoring a good set of functional and natural looking teeth.

If you already have gaps between your teeth that you are seeking to close or if your teeth have become misaligned, several treatment options are available:

• Veneers: These are thin custom-made porcelain shells designed to fit discreetly over the teeth, making them indistinguishable from our natural teeth. Veneers may be used for modifying the color or position of teeth.
• Crowns: These are restorations that cover or cap teeth, restoring them to their natural size, shape, and color. Crowns are indicated when there is a need to strengthen teeth that are mechanically weakened (e.g. teeth with large cavities).
• Braces: Braces are appliances which are used to gently correct the arrangement of your teeth. Treatment with fixed braces usually takes between two to three years, although it may sometimes be shorter and longer depending on the complexity of the case.
• Invisalign: This is a series of clear, removable, virtually invisible custom-molded aligners. Each aligner is worn for about two weeks and gradually moves your teeth, before being replaced by the next in the series until the final position is achieved.

Your dentist will be in the best position to discuss the various treatment options with you and to identify the procedure that suits your dental condition and lifestyle.

If you have a choice, would you wear a beautiful smile with perfectly aligned teeth or a smile with gapped front teeth?

Specialist Dental Group has launched an on-going series of blog posts by our individual dental specialists. All views provided are the dentist’s own opinions and are posted on this blog as part of our on-going efforts to educate the public about dental issues and other matters of interest relating to dentistry and healthcare.

Chinese New Year’s round the corner, and for the Chinese, this is the most important time of the year. Akin to Thanksgiving for the Americans and Canadians, this is the time of the year when traditions abound and feasts galore. More importantly, this is when we remind ourselves to be thankful for what we have.

Having had to spend Chinese New Year in the brutal cold for the past three years, in a place where nobody really celebrates the festival, I feel an inexplicable sense of joy whenever I hear Chinese New Year songs being played on the streets these days. The warmth (pun intended) of the season and the familiarity of home made me realize how I have taken for granted these intangibles and many more. Home is truly where it’s best.

I am glad to be back in Singapore, working with a stellar group of colleagues who are committed to patient care and making a difference in our patients’ lives. It is always heartening to see that patients recognize this and show their appreciation in various forms such as showering us with Chinese New Year goodies. My waistline has been expanding since I returned to Singapore, but I am not complaining, for being in a food haven is one of many things I am thankful for!

With Chinese New Year just four days away, here’s wishing everyone an awesome Chinese New Year, and a bountiful year ahead! Amidst all the feasting and merry-making, do not forget to visit your dentist!

Is the grass always greener on the other side? I have my answer. What’s yours?

Dr. Daylene Leong is a Dental Surgeon with Specialist Dental Group. She received her basic dental training at National University of Singapore and advanced training in Periodontology from the University of Michigan, USA. She is a Diplomate of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. For more information on Dr. Daylene Leong , click here

The Chinese New Year is around the corner and it is no doubt, one of the busiest months for the Chinese population.   Whilst everyone is busy with the spring cleaning, decorating the house during this period, one of the must-do-things on the list is to prepare titbits on the table to be served to your visiting guests. It varies from family to family, depending on their tradition. Most people will have nuts, bakkwa (Chinese salty-sweet barbequed meat product similar to jerky), carbonated sugary drinks, sweets, preserved fruits, chocolates and many more.

Thus, visiting relatives’ or friends’ homes during Chinese New Year means that it is highly likely that one will be indulging in sampling different types of snacks. Dental issues such as cracked, chipped or sensitive teeth during this period have been known to occur due to the higher intensity of chewing hard and sugary food.

Medical and dental clinics may also see a surge in the number of patients or emergency cases during or after Chinese New Year as a result of lack of rest and indulgence in too many snacks.

We should always keep in mind how to keep possible dental problems at bay especially during the festive season when many clinics may be closed.

A quick visit to the dentist ahead of time will make it possible for you to enjoy the festive season with peace of mind.

Prevention is always better than cure. As the New Year starts, include “regular visits to the dentist” as one of your new year resolutions.

Gong Xi Fa Cai!

Note: Our clinic will be closed from Jan 21 to Jan 24 for Chinese New Year Public Holiday. We will reopen on Jan 25 as per usual (9am – 5.30pm). For dental emergency, please contact the emergency contact number on your dentist’s card or call Mount Elizabeth Hospital A&E department at 6731 2218. For enquiries, you can contact us via our website at: www.specialistdentalgroup.com

Specialist Dental Group (SDG) has openings for outstanding clinicians with specialty training in the areas of orthodontics, endodontics and paedodontics to join our clinical team.

There will be opportunities to practice cutting-edge team-approach dentistry in a multi-disciplinary practice environment with close coordination with our medical specialist colleagues.

The ideal candidates would have the following background:

• Basic dental degree from the National University of Singapore or from an international dental school recognized by the Singapore Dental Council;
• Registered or eligible to register as a dental specialist in Singapore
• Clinically excellent and experienced in their specialty area of dentistry

Members of the SDG’s Clinical Team are active in teaching, speaking, writing in addition to spending time on patient care. Visit our website to view the profiles of our current dental team.

Specialist Dental Group is an award-winning multi-specialty practice. Founded by the late Dr Henry Lee in 1979, SDG currently has a team of 10 dentists trained in the specialty areas of prosthodontics, orthodontics, periodontics, paedodontics and oral maxillofacial surgery.  We have three clinics located at the Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre in the Orchard area.

SDG was recently a Winner of the Promising Brands category of the Singapore Prestige Brand Award 2011, and a two-time finalist for “Best Healthcare Experience” in the Singapore Experience Awards 2010 & 2011.

You can find out more about Specialist Dental Group on our website. If you think you would be a good fit with us, please complete the following form. You can also email your CV to careers@specialistdentalgroup.com

Have you ever listened to Kenny G’s saxophone music arrangement? His exceptional skills, from the way he blows the saxophone to the way he arranges the tune and tempo, have inspired many budding musicians. Did you know, however, that musical instruments may affect our teeth and jaw?

In a recent issue of the Journal of the American Dental Association, an orthodontist pointed out that the type of musical instruments that your children play will affect the children’s position of teeth or jaw. A 1994 report identified common dental issues experienced by musicians such as tooth mobility, TMJ, and head & neck lesions.

Most of the problems are experienced by musicians who play the saxophone or clarinet as they will put a lot of pressure on the lower lip and the teeth to support the weight of the saxophone/clarinet. Teeth misalignment may also be experienced if they play the instruments extensively. Brass instrument players such as trumpet, horns or trombone players will need to be careful as a prolonged period of using these instruments will cause teeth mobility or movement.

Dental problems can also arise from playing musical instruments which do not involve the mouth. String instruments such as the violin may affect the development of the jaw and the bite.  This is to the due to the pressure on the jaw when musicians hold the instrument between their shoulder and the jaw.

You can bring your children to the dentist or paedodontist to have a preliminary examination in order to avoid these dental problems before investing a lot of time and money in their music lessons. There are also some treatment options that you may consider if you are currently experiencing the problems mentioned above such as braces, Invisalign (clear aligners), or jaw joint treatment.

Prevention is always better than cure. A short chat with your dentist or specialist would get a musical career off to a good start with the bonus of an excellent set of teeth.

Season’s Greetings and Best Wishes for a Happy and Healthy 2012 to you and your loved ones!!

As we reflect on the current year and prepare ourselves for a new year, we are thankful to our patients and friends for their support. We also appreciate the hard-working team of nurses, staff and dentists that have contributed to making 2011 such an eventful and positive year for Specialist Dental Group (SDG)

2011 marked a year of tremendous growth for SDG – we added 2 dentists and 8 staff to our team – we now have 30 members on our team including our dentists.  We also extended our range of specialty dental services to the area of Children’s Dentistry in June when Dr Elizabeth Tan, an established Specialist in Pediatric Dentistry, joined us at our third clinic (Unit #08-03).  In September, Dr Daylene Leong, joined our dental team. Dr Leong completed her Certificate in Periodontology at the prestigious University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. In case you are wondering why she looks familiar, Dr Daylene Leong is the younger sister of our prosthodontist, Dr Elvin Leong …

We were honoured to be a Winner in the Promising Brands category of the Singapore Prestige Brand Award 2011 (SPBA) and a second-time finalist for “Best Healthcare Experience” in the Singapore Experience Award 2011. To celebrate the occasion, our whole team attended the SPBA Awards dinner – our staff really made the effort to dress up for this black tie event – do you recognize them without their uniforms and masks?

For those of you who watch Channel NewsAsia (CNA), you may have seen the television trailers in July to announce our major dental seminar with CNA – “Take a Bite with a Perfect Smile” on July 30. Five of our specialists spent an afternoon sharing information about the latest developments in dentistry with a crowd of over 500. The topics covered included the relationship between healthy gums and a healthy body, common misconceptions about dentistry, secrets to a perfect smile and how to maximize your smile with technology.

Even as we were busy with clinical treatment and special projects, we made sure to also keep ourselves healthy. 2011 was a year of team events for SDG – these included participating in 5 runs – Great Eastern, Shape, SAFRA Bay Run, POSB Passion Kid’s Run and the Standard Chartered Marathon. Dr Cheng’s daughter, Hana, was 1^st runner up in the 5-6 year old category and Dr Neo and his wife completed the 42km marathon. We wore our brand new SDG t-shirts for the SAFRA Bay Run with pride – 25 members of the SDG team and their families ran 5km across the scenic Marina Bay waterfront. We are looking forward to more outdoor activities in 2012.

As we look forward to 2012, we will continue to extend and improve our services to patients. Our dental team is looking forward to more teaching and speaking opportunities locally and regionally in the new year.

If you are on Facebook, you can “Like” our Page for the latest updates. We also have an interesting Blog with relevant dental stories. Do subscribe to it. 

We look forward to interacting with you in 2012. Keep in touch and keep smiling !

If you are an orthodontist who is looking for an opportunity to join a growing team of dentists in a specialty group practice, we would love to hear from you.

Specialist Dental Group (SDG) is an award-winning multi-specialty practice which celebrates its 32nd anniversary in December 2011. Founded by the late Dr Henry Lee, SDG currently has a team of 10 dentists trained in the specialty areas of prosthodontics, orthodontics, periodontics, paedodontics and oral maxillofacial surgery.  We have three clinics located at the Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre in the Orchard area.

SDG was recently a Winner of the Promising Brands category of the Singapore Prestige Brand Award 2011, and a two-time finalist for “Best Healthcare Experience” in the Singapore Experience Awards 2010 & 2011.

You can find out more about Specialist Dental Group on our website. If you think you would be a good fit with us, please complete the following form. You can also read more about our dental team here.

…are good dental tips (and your two front teeth)! Christmas is around the corner and all the preparations should have started long before; the Christmas cards, year-end updates, family trip, parties, etc … but Christmas would not be complete without food.

Some people may have started restraining their food consumption one or two months before Christmas to create some space that would be filled during the festive season.

If you have prepared yourself to eat to your heart’s content, make sure that your teeth are also in good shape. The last thing that you want is to have unwanted surprises, such as broken fillings, sensitive teeth, chipped tooth, or a major toothache in the middle of the holiday season.

Having your teeth checked is the simplest thing that you could do to give you some peace of mind, especially if you have not seen a dentist for more than 6 months. With many insurance policies based on a calendar year, this is also a good time to ensure that your teeth are maintained in good condition. It would also be a bonus to start the new year with pearlie white teeth !

Some other useful holiday dental tips include:

1. Choosing the right snacks! Avoid sticky, acidic and sugary dishes. Also, moderate the consumption of food that requires more time to chew or suck, such as sweets and hard nuts.
2. Watch what you drink. Soft drinks, frizzy beverages, or drinks that are too hot or too cold may not be friendly to your teeth. Whenever possible, use a straw, as it may help to reduce the contact of the drink with your teeth.
3. Brush after meals or the least gargle with plain water after eating. Most importantly, at the end of the day, do not go to sleep before brushing and flossing your teeth.
4. Prepare the young ones! Most adults are capable of taking care of their oral hygiene. However, if you have little ones at home, bring them along when you  visit your dentist and ensure any underlying issues are addressed early. You can help to watch their diets by introducing them to healthier snacks such as; cheese, carrot sticks, or fruits.
5. Keep the right contacts handy,such as your dentist’s emergency contact number and the hospital’s Accident and Emergency number.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

As running enthusiasts in Singapore look forward to the annual Singapore Standard Chartered Marathon this weekend, we thought it would be appropriate for a blog post on running and dental issues.   

Marathons are a fun, competitive and increasingly popular activity around the globe.  Training for a marathon and being actively involved in sport activities has a large number of health benefits, which one will appreciate in the long run (pun intended).

We have often written about  the close connection between oral and overall health but do you know that there is a connection between oral health and sport activities as well?  Despite the many benefits it may bring, we should not neglect the possible dental issues that may arise as a result of long hours of sport activities. 

One of the common complaints is tooth sensitivity.  When one is running, large amount of inhaling takes place and breathing is heavier with the mouth open, thus, exposing the teeth to the wind.  Constant breathing in of air can heighten the discomfort of teeth sensitivity.

Other dental issues include jaw pain and tooth pain, especially during some serious training.  A person may unknowingly tighten his or her jaws while exercising, causing pressure on the gums and nerves beneath the teeth. 

IAnother area of concern would be the type of fluid intake during a run. Although fluids are essential to prevent dehydration and water is the most suitable drink for most workouts, many would prefer a isotonic beverage.  It is advisable to rinse your mouth or drink a glass of water after consumption of a sport beverage.  This is to prevent erosion of the tooth enamel and subsequent sensitivity of the tooth.

Just remember that whilst you are on the route to achieving a healthier lifestyle, you may want to take care of your mouth as diligently as how you would to achieve a fit physique. 

Have you experienced any dental problems associated with running and/or other exercise? Do share with us. We would love to hear from you.

Most ladies would carry a beauty kit or a make-up pouch in their handbags. It could be as basic as a lipstick and compact powder or sometimes as elaborate as a complete set of make-up. The question is  – how many of you would consider a toothbrush and toothpaste as part of your essential beauty kit?

The fact is that you may have a perfect complexion, lovely red lips, long curly eye lashes framing large smoky eyes, but all this is not complete without a pearly white smile.

Even as you put in effort in keeping your skin glowing and your body in shape, here are a few tips that are useful to keep your teeth healthy and stain-free:

• Choose the right toothbrush. Toothbrushes with a small brush head and soft bristles are a perfect choice to ensure that you can  properly clean the teeth in the back of your mouth.
• Keep a toothbrush and mini toothpaste in your bag. A toothbrush is light and small (just like keeping a pen in your bag), and toothpastes come in mini sizes too. With these must-have items in your bag, you can’t make any excuses for not brushing your teeth when you are outside the house anymore.
• Make time to brush! It is pointless if you carry around your toothpaste and toothbrush but never put them to use. It will take you only 2 minutes to brush. After meals, make it a habit to brush your teeth when you also touch up your make-up, as you usually do anyway.
• The right brushing technique. Brush in a circular direction and make sure you brush thoroughly (upper left and right and lower left and right of your mouth, including your gums) and gently. With the right toothbrush and brushing technique, you save yourselves from potential bad breath and food trapped in between your teeth for the rest of your day. In the long run, you will benefit greatly from this habit.
• Floss at least once daily, at the end of day. You can take your time to floss thoroughly when you are home.

With these tips, there are fewer excuses for not brushing your teeth after every meal.

What are some of the reasons that have hindered you from brushing after every meal? Do share with us – and let’s see how we  can work together to come up with a solution.