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.

We all know that smoking is hazardous to health. Numerous research studies have shown that smoking is the cause of cancers, heart disease, and other ailments. Due to the addictive nature of smoking, it is simply a hard habit to get rid of. Some people compare smoking with eating junk food except that smoking does not add on additional calories to our body. Peer pressure may also be an issue as it may be hard to refrain when people around you are all doing the same thing.

A recent newspaper article told an interesting story. Like many smart people, this Florida man was trying to kick his smoking habit. He was using an electronic smokeless cigarette. The idea was to slowly cut back to zero puffing instead of going cold-turkey. However, on this eventful day, his electronic cigarette blew up in his face, ending up damaging part of his lip, face, and tongue. He described it as if a firecracker exploded in between his teeth!! Imagine how much pain and shock he was in after that!

Speculation was that it was the lithium battery (LiPo) inside the cigarette that caused the explosion. Rechargeable batteries are great invention but these high-power LiPo batteries are known to be temperamental and many incidents of fire have been reported as a result of misuse of the LiPo battery or simply misbehavior of the LiPo itself. Watch this video to see how overcharging LiPo batteries causes fire.

Luckily, these electronic cigarettes are not being sold in Singapore.

Well, I hope this is not an excuse for the victim to switch back to the ‘safer traditional’ version. After all, the best method to get rid of the habit is to never start it.

Dr. Ansgar C. Cheng is a Dental Specialist in Prosthodontics (Teeth Replacement) with Specialist Dental Group™. He is also an Adjunct Associate Professor with the National University of Singapore.  He has a special interest in dental implants, cosmetic dentistry and treatment of  medically compromised patients, including cancer patients. For more information about Dr. Cheng, click here

Recent research conducted by Case Western Reserve University which was published in the Journal of Periodontology, found a significant association between periodontal disease and obesity among individuals aged 18 to 34 years. The study was conducted to assess if significant weight loss would improve the response to non-surgical periodontal (gum) therapy in obese patients. The study showed an improved response to non-surgical periodontal therapy in obese patients who had significant weight loss following bariatric surgery compared to obese subjects who did not have such a surgery.

This is due to the fact that obesity may interfere with the ability of the immune system to appropriately respond to the bacteria that causes periodontal disease, as has been found in another study by Boston University.

Previously, in an interview on the most common dental issues in the 21^st century, Dr Neo Tee Khin and Dr. Helena Lee identified changes in lifestyle as one of the determining factors for dental issues. Most young adults tend to skip regular meals (less consumption of vegetables and fruits) and resort to frequent snacking of foods that contain high sugar, such as chocolates, pastries, and soft drinks. This dietary habits are a major cause of obesity, which can increase yourrisk of periodontal disease.

Start eating healthily, it will help you in keeping your body shape and also reducing the rate of progression of gum disease. This is one of the ways for a beautiful smile…

How do you plan to celebrate Valentine’s Day (V-Day) on February 14^th? Hotels, restaurants, florists and chocolate specialty shops have decorated their outlets pink or red. They have also displayed their attractively packaged gifts for you to choose for your loved ones. Have you decided on one?

Among other preparations for V-Day, one thing that may have slipped your mind is to prepare yourself with a bright white smile and fresh breath. You don’t want to spoil the romantic moment and scare off your partner or partner-to-be with bad breath, do you?

Based on the Oral-B Healthier Teeth, Healthier Singapore survey carried out by The Nielsen Company in 2011, 66% of Singaporeans indicated that they would never go on a date with a person with bad breath and 58% agreed that they would never go on a date with someone with visible dental problems such as tooth decay or swollen gums. Thus, dental problems may be the kiss of death for your romance. What can you do about it?

Understanding the causes of your dental problem is the first step in solving the problem. There are several possible causes of bad breath or halitosis. While bad breath is commonly caused by localized dental problems, such as infection, ill-fitting dental fillings or dentures, other factors that cause bad breath include;

• Periodontal or gum disease;
• Consumption of certainfoods, e.g., garlic, certain spices, etc
• Poor oral hygiene – caused by food particles between the teeth, on the tongue and around the gums which collect bacteria;
• Dry mouth condition (xerostomia) which can occur due to hormonal changes (e.g., menopause) or due to other medications;
• Smoking;
• Other medical conditions, such as digestive system problems, diabetes, ear or nose infections, or some forms of cancer

Consider seeing a dentist

Depending on the root cause of the problem, the issue should be addressed accordingly. If the cause is traced to food particles that are trapped in misaligned or crowded teeth, the dentist may recommend seeking orthodontic treatment to straighten the teeth. Impacted wisdom teeth that do not have enough room to erupt can also be food traps and one may want to consider wisdom teeth surgery as a preventive measure.

The simplest solution is to practice good oral hygiene such as brushing your teeth at least twice a day, making sure the gum and tongue areas are cleaned, as well as flossing your teeth. Using non-alcohol based mouthwash may also be helpful.

If the bad breath is due to certain medical conditions, your dentist will refer you to the appropriate medical specialist. With a proper examination, investigation and diagnosis, your dentist should be able to pin point the causes of bad breath and carry out treatment accordingly.

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.

Being pregnant is a process that half the human race could potentially experience…..the female half, that is. And it is the most natural and satisfying experience a woman could hope to encounter, if blessed with such an opportunity!

Pregnancy is not a disease, but the changes it brings on can be associated with other “diseases”. The earliest changes are the surge in the “female” hormones, estrogen and progesterone. These hormones help maintain the pregnancy, but they also contribute to bouts of nausea, the severity of which may vary from one woman to another.

In bad cases, even the usually well-loved food odours become repulsive. Nausea and vomiting that persist for a long time can affect the nutritional status of the mum-to-be, since she may not be retaining sufficient food for good nourishment. Constant vomiting also brings up a lot of gastric acid, which over the long term may cause erosion of the enamel surfaces of teeth. This author can even attest to the fact that tooth-brushing becomes difficult. During both my previous and present pregnancies, I have not been able to tolerate the smell or taste of toothpaste. The process of trying to brush my back teeth (molars) causes the inevitable vomiting. And I have anecdotal evidence from some of my female patients that they have faced the same trials. So, through my own experiences, I empathise with these patients, when they present with poorer oral hygiene during or after pregnancy.

Another important change caused by the surge of hormones is the flare-up of swollen and bleeding gums that women experience in pregnancy. Much research has been devoted to this form of gum disease. It is true that the hormones, estrogen and progesterone, make the gums more sensitive to the effects of bacterial plaque. However, if the levels of dental plaque and calculus (the main causes of gum disease) were kept under control before pregnancy, then no noticeable changes in gum disease should occur. Conversely, if there is underlying, untreated gum disease, then during pregnancy, the gums swell alarmingly, bleed easily when touched and teeth become more mobile. Persistent, severe gum disease has been associated with  higher rates of miscarriage and preterm labour.  Preterm birth results in low birth-weight babies who are faced with more developmental issues.

Gum disease has also been strongly associated with diabetes, where there is lack of control of sugar levels in the blood. Since diabetes is also a potential complication of pregnancy, we strongly advice that taking good care of dental health before and during pregnancy is as essential as the consumption of good
food and vitamins and all the antenatal care that the doctor provides.

I make it a point to educate my young female patients that they should take care of their oral hygiene well before planning for a baby. Prevention is better than cure: when one starts early with regular brushing and flossing and visits to the dentist, then maintaining good dental health in any phase of life becomes easier. Even when faced with the alarming scenario of swollen and bleeding gums, the mum-to-be should not ignore the problem, but rather seek help from a dentist or periodontist to get the condition under control. Contrary to the “old grandmother’s tales”, dental treatment is safe during pregnancy. Only the use of x-rays is avoided.

With the easy availability of information and the good dental and medical care that women in Singapore in particular enjoy, pregnancy should be smooth-sailing, just as it has been for me. As I look forward to the birth of my second son, I wish all mothers and mums-to-be out there good health and happiness!

Dr Helena Lee is a Periodontist with Specialist Dental Group. She holds an appointment as an Adjunct Lecturer in the Department of Preventive Dentistry, National University of Singapore. She has co-authored several papers in peer-reviewed journals and has lectured at professional local and international conferences. Dr Lee has a special interest in the treatment and prevention of periodontal disease, gingival plastic surgery, soft and hard tissue grafting and dental implants. For more information on Dr Lee, click here

We have a position available with our Business Affairs Team in the area of Patient Services / Business Operations.

The successful candidate will be liaising with our patients to enhance their healthcare experience and will also be working closely with our team of dental specialists, nurses and support staff to ensure the smooth delivery of daily business and clinical operations. She will also be assisting with business development projects and coordinating special events.  Excellent writing skills are important as the position also involves updating our website, writing blog posts and creating content for marketing materials. Other responsibilities may evolve depending on the skills, experience and interests of the candidate.

This is an excellent opportunity to be part of an award-winning team and grow with our organization.

Requirements:

• Candidates must be a Singaporean or a permanent resident of Singapore
• Bahasa Indonesia skills are essential as the candidate would need to liase with with Indonesian speaking patients and provide interpretation/translation. Chinese language skills would be an asset.
• Customer service experience and a genuine interest and concern for people is important
• Ability to write well in English
• Capacity to multi-task and work independently as well as part of a team is important

To apply, click on our application form.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide and was responsible for about 13% of all deaths in 2008. 4 February is marked as World Cancer Day to promote ways to prevent cancer and raise the 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 foods may increase the risk of cancer. The Singapore Cancer Foundation recommends keeping a healthy diet through reducing consumption of food that is high in fat, and smoked or salted food. A high consumption of salt increases the risk of stomach cancer.  Eating too much red meat is also associated with colorectal cancer. It is better to consume more foods with high fibre such as vegetables and fruits and drink more water to keep yourself hydrated.

2)    Exercise 30 Minutes Daily: Keep a healthy weight by exercising regularly. Obesity 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 causes of oral cancer and head and neck cancer.

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

For cancer patients, there are support groups available to assist both the patients and their family members. These include programmes provided by Parkway Cancer Centre, CanHope and the 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.