Gum Health
If you are experiencing sensitivity in your teeth or have experienced it in the past, you are not alone. Globally, about 33% of the population experience tooth sensitivity. In Singapore, two studies conducted by GlaxoSmithKline in 2009 indicated that between 23-25% of Singaporeans suffered from sensitive teeth.
People may report sensitivity to a variety of stimuli including cold drinks, hot soups, sweet or sour food and tooth brushing. This sensitivity may be transient or lingering. Transient sensitivity may not bother the person much, but lingering, high intensity sensitivity is more debilitating.
Causes of Sensitivity
Normal, healthy teeth have an outer layer of enamel protecting the sensitive underlying layer of dentine. The roots of normal teeth are also covered by bone and gums. No dentine is exposed, so there is no sensitivity to normal stimuli during eating and drinking.
Possible causes of the increased incidence of sensitive teeth include:
- Gum disease – As people are keeping their teeth for a longer time due to a reduction in dental caries, more of these teeth may be exposed to periodontal disease. Gum disease is often a silent, slowly progressing, inflammatory process that causes loss of the bone and gums around roots of teeth. When the roots are exposed, sensitivity will be felt.
- Wear and tear of teeth – Whether through function or through excessive grinding of teeth (bruxism), the enamel on the biting surfaces is worn down and underlying dentine is exposed. Over time, fillings may be worn or teeth cracked. This can also result in sensitivity.
- Overbrushing or Type of Toothbrush used – People who brushing their teeth too frequently and who use a hard-bristled toothbrush or brush aggressively will end up scrubbing away the thin gum covering the root surfaces. The exposed roots can also be subsequently abraded by aggressive brushing and lead to sensitivity.
- Decayed teeth – As the decay progresses, the sensitivity increases in intensity and duration (lingering). If there is a painful reaction to hot stimulus, then the tooth is likely to be irreversibly damaged and will require more extensive treatment.
- Consumption of carbonated drinks - Younger people are also experiencing tooth sensitivity perhaps due to increased consumption of drinks with acidic levels which may cause the erosion of the tooth enamel over time.
- Hormonal changes – Women who are pregnant are more predisposed to gum problems due to hormonal changes which may also result in sensitivity of teeth.
- Teeth whitening – in some cases, teeth whitening procedures may also result in sensitive teeth. Thus, it is important to ensure that consultation with a dentist is done before undergoing this procedure to minimize sensitivity issues. The degree of shades by which the teeth are whitened may also affect sensitivity.
Treatment Options
Treatment for sensitive teeth depends on the reason for sensitivity and the extent. Thus, treatment can range from using a desensitizing toothpaste, to professional application of certain gels and varnishes, or even fillings to cover the exposed surfaces.
Several companies have toothpastes and other oral care products targeted at sensitive teeth sufferers – these include Systema, Sensodyne and more recently, Colgate.
One little-known treatment possibility is the use of gum grafting to cover the exposed roots and bring the gum level back to the original position. This is a specialized surgical procedure that may benefit a small percentage of people with receding gums and exposed roots. You can find out more about this procedure by speaking with a periodontist (gum specialist).
Practical Tips
Some practical preventive tips include the following:
- Brush with a soft-bristled brush with gentle strokes. (Ask a dentist to teach you correct techniques).
- Floss between teeth;
- Don’t use a toothpick.
- Visit your dentist at least once in 6 months for thorough check-up and scaling (professional cleaning to remove hardened deposits of calculus).
- Rinse after consuming soft drinks or eating acidic food
The key for treating sensitive teeth is to determine what the source of sensitivity is – during the consultation, our dentists will try to determine the type of sensitivity the person experiences and from the responses, address the situation and find a resolution to the problem.
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A Tradition of Excellence
Specialist Dental Group™ has been established at the Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre in Singapore since 1979 and celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. The Group is one of the largest multi-specialty dental clinics in Singapore and has nine treatment rooms in two clinics served by a team of seven leading dental specialists.
“Not many dental practices in Singapore have the distinction of being around for such a long time,” says Dr Neo Tee Khin, Managing Partner of Specialist Dental Group™. The late Dr. Henry Lee, founder of the clinic, was a well established oral surgeon who placed the first titanium dental implants in Singapore more than 20 years ago. This strong foundation in dental implants has continued today with Specialist Dental Group™ being one of the leading dental implant providers in Singapore.
According to Dr Ansgar C Cheng, Co-Managing Partner of the Group, the clinic was renamed Specialist Dental Group™ in 2008 to reflect the breadth and depth of the comprehensive dental solutions under one roof provided by its internationally trained/ qualified multi-specialty team.
The clinical team at Specialist Dental Group™ includes dentists with specialty training in prosthodontics (teeth replacement), periodontics (gum treatment), orthodontics (braces) and oral & maxillofacial surgery. Signature dental solutions include Teeth-in-an-Hour implants, Instant Implants™, conventional dental implants, Invisalign®, braces, oral surgery, gum treatment and crowns.
“The idea of a multi-specialty practice arose due to the higher demand and expectation of our patients. Having all our specialists in one place improves communication among them resulting in an excellent standard of care and convenience for our patients,” adds Dr. Neo. Patients benefit with reduced waiting times and can access dentists from different specialty areas with one appointment.
Another convenience is that due to the location of the clinic in a premier medical centre, patients can also schedule their medical and dental visits on the same day in the same building, minimizing the need to take extra time off their busy schedules.
The dental team at Specialist Dental Group™ is also experienced in treating patients with medical conditions such as cancer, stroke, diabetes and heart problems. One of the services offered to patients prior to undergoing cancer treatment (e.g., radiation or chemotherapy) or a major medical procedure (e.g. organ transplantation or heart surgery) is a Dental Assessment. Dental Assessments minimize the risk of oral complications developing in the middle of cancer treatment or post-surgery as a result of a pre-existing dental condition such as an infected tooth or gum disease. The significant cost savings and avoidance of physical and emotional trauma are some of the benefits of having a dental assessment.
Contribution to the Professional Community and to Public Awareness
Most of the dentists at Specialist Dental Group™ have taught or are currently teaching at the National University of Singapore and other international universities. They are also active contributors to international scientific journals and sit on the editorial boards of such publications. As opinion leaders in their respective specialty areas, they are regularly invited to speak at local and international dental conferences.
On the public awareness front, the dental team at Specialist Dental Group™ is passionate about educating the public about oral health, innovations in dentistry and the connection between good oral health and a healthy body. In conjunction with the 30th anniversary of Specialist Dental Group™’ this year, the clinic organized a public seminar with Channel NewsAsia – Putting the Sparkle Back Into Your Smile – A Dental Seminar that Bridges Function & Aesthetics, which was very well received with an audience of almost 600 people attending to learn more about oral health.
Getting Connected
In addition to the comprehensive information on dental procedures on the Specialist Dental Group™ website, patients are also able to make appointment bookings and enquiries as well as view videos. Specialist Dental Group™ also has a Blog, Facebook Fan Page and a Twitter account in order to be more accessible to patients.
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Specialist Dental Group’s seminar, Putting the Sparkle Back into your Smile, organized together with Channel NewsAsia, was held on Saturday, August 1, 2009 at the Suntec Convention Centre auditorium from 2pm to 5:30 pm.
Drs. Elvin Leong, Ansgar Cheng, Ho Kok Sen, Eugene Chan, Patricia Yeong, Neo Tee Khin and Helena Lee
Close to 600 people spent several hours listening to six dental specialists from our clinic share about the latest developments in their respective specialty areas of dentistry.
“This is the first time that Specialist Dental Group™ has embarked on such a major public education program,” said Dr. Neo Tee Khin, Director and Prosthodontist with Specialist Dental Group™.
“We thought that this was a great way to commemorate the 30th anniversary of our clinic,” added Dr. Ansgar C Cheng, Director and Prosthodontist with the clinic.
Specialist Dental Group™, formerly known as Henry Lee Dental Surgery, was founded by Dr. Henry Lee, a well-respected oral surgeon. Dr. Lee also placed the first titanium dental implants in Singapore more than 20 years ago and this strength in dental implants has continued to be reflected in the multi-specialty team at Specialist Dental Group™.
Staff of Specialist Dental Group
Comprehensive Selection of Topics Covered
Almost every major aspect of dentistry was covered from the relationship between oral health and overall health, to pain and anxiety management, and the latest developments in replacing missing teeth, straightening teeth, and creating a smile makeover.
The question and answer session
A Question and Answer Session was also held after the six presentations and the dental specialists answered questions on various topics including implants, braces, cracked teeth, whitening toothpaste, and many more.
Invisalign display
Nobel Biocare display
Sponsors of the event and the goody bags included Ezyhealth & Beauty, Nobel Biocare, Invisalign, Cosmetic Surgery & Beauty, Sensodyne, Parkway Health, Listerine, Lion Corporation, Clorets, Vicks, Salonpas, SA Dental and Philips Sonicare .
Goody bags
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Electric toothbrushes have been used for a long time. The earliest electric toothbrushes were initially developed for patients with limited motor skills and orthodontic (braces) patients.
Basic Designs
There are a few basic designs in electric toothbrushes. Most of them have a certain pattern of brush head movements. Others may have specific types of brush bristle moving cycles, unique frequency of movement, or discharge certain ions to facilitate cleaning. One brand even features an auto-stop function when excessive pressure is applied onto the teeth.
Effectiveness of Electric Toothbrushes
Regular toothbrushes require reasonable manual dexterity to adequately clean our teeth on a regular basis. Therefore, incorrect brushing technique may reduce the effectiveness of optimal cleaning. Successful manipulation of the toothbrushes may also not be possible when the individual is too young, too old, having a disability, or wearing some form of dental appliance (such as braces or dentures). Incorrect brushing techniques not only lead to ineffective cleaning, it may even harm the teeth and gums by exerting excessive pressure.
Some studies have shown that electric toothbrushes are more efficient at cleaning teeth than manual toothbrushes. In the case of the rotation-oscillation type brush heads, there is less room for incorrect brushing. As a result, the effectiveness of tooth-brushing is enhanced. This is one reason why some dentists also recommend electric toothbrushes for children. Electrical toothbrushes are also helpful when regular dental care is provided by a third party such as a nurse in a nursing home.
Selection of an Electric Toothbrush
When one is choosing an electric toothbrush, it is important that the size of the toothbrush is correctly chosen. Usually the brush head should be less than 2cm in length and 1cm in width. A toothbrush that is too big is simply not agile enough to reach all surfaces especially the back teeth.
In general, soft bristles are kinder to the teeth and reduce the chance of traumatising the gums. Some types feature round end bristle filaments. These microscopic tooth bristle tips are also less abrasive to the gum and dental enamel.
Pricier models may not necessarily the best for your budget or dental condition.
Electric toothbrushes occasionally require technical maintenance or replacement of parts, such as the brush head. It is therefore important to purchase an electric toothbrush that has a local retailer who carries the parts. Check to see if the manufacturer has a local warranty program in case fixing or repairing is needed.
Consult your dentist for some practical tips on your electric toothbrush selection process.
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Trailers for
“Putting the Sparkle Back into your Smile: A Dental Seminar that Bridges Function & Aesthetics” started airing on Channel NewsAsia today. The seminar, organized by Specialist Dental Group™ and Channel NewsAsia, will be held on Saturday, August 1, 2009 at the Suntec Convention Centre in Singapore from 2pm to 5:30 pm. More information on the Seminar can be found at
http://www.specialistdentalgroup.com/events.php. The trailer for the event can also be viewed at the link.
“This is the first time that Specialist Dental Group™ is embarking on such a major public education program. We thought that this was a great way to commemorate the 30th anniversary of our clinic,” said Dr. Neo Tee Khin, Partner and Prosthodontist with Specialist Dental Group™.
Specialist Dental Group™, formerly known as Henry Lee Dental Surgery, was founded by Dr. Henry Lee, a well-respected oral surgeon. Dr. Lee also placed the first titanium dental implants in Singapore more than 20 years ago and this strength in dental implants has continued to be reflected in the multi-specialty team at Specialist Dental Group™.
According to Dr. Ansgar C. Cheng, also a Partner and Prosthodontist with the clinic, six leading specialists from the clinic will be sharing their expertise with seminar attendees on the following topics:
· The Mouth & Body Connection;
· Restoring your Sparkling Smile;
· The Straight Truth about Braces;
· Dental Surgery Now Pain-Free; and
· Filling Gaps & Brightening Smiles
Tickets for the event can be purchased from SISTIC at http://www.sistic.com/
Major Sponsors of the Seminar include Nobel Biocare, Invisalign, Ezyhealth & Beauty and Cosmetic Surgery & Beauty.
Goody Bag Sponsors include Parkway Health, Lion Corporation, Sensodyne, Listerine, SA Dental Supply, Clorets, Vicks, Hisamitsu and Philips.
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The Straits Times (April 2, 2009) cited a recent
University of Buffalo study that concluded that heart patients had higher number of bacteria in their mouths compared to those without a history of heart problems. This is yet another publication that adds to the growing evidence of the link between oral health and overall health.
According to the study, the people who had the highest amount of bacteria in their mouths were the most likely to have had heart attacks. Four out of five (or 80%) of Singaporeans are believed to have some form of gum disease.
Specialist Dental Group has been active in trying to raise the awareness of the link between healthy gums and a healthy body. Our Consultant Periodontist, Dr Helena Lee, has been interviewed on Channel NewsAsia, Ezyhealth & Beauty magazine and the Shin Min Chinese newspaper about the mouth and body connection. She has also spoken on this topic at our recent public seminar in November.
For more information on gum treatment, please click here.
“Prevention is always better than cure. The take home message is to brush and floss regularly, and to keep your twice yearly appointment with your dentist. This is the best way to maintain your dental health and your overall health,” says Dr. Lee.
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