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.

I knew I wanted to pursue a career in Orthodontics (braces) when I was a geeky 12 year old. Having worn braces myself (as well as headgear!), I am aware not only of the difficulties involved sometimes when wearing braces, but also the immense improvement in my smile and confidence after treatment. Having been actively involved in singing in the choir and doing solo vocal performances, not having to worry about the appearance of my teeth was extremely liberating. The desire to provide others with a smile that they were proud of was planted at that tender age!

I can vividly remember one of the first patients that I completed orthodontic treatment for. She was a young girl who complained to me that she did not like that she had “four rows of front teeth”! This beautiful young lady was a ballerina but did not have the confidence to smile as her teeth were very crooked. Upon completion of her treatment with fixed braces, the satisfaction of seeing her bloom in self-confidence was immense! Finally, this young girl could express herself fully while she was dancing on stage!

Mention the word ‘braces’ to someone, and almost always, the thought of a mouth full of shiny metal comes to mind. Although stainless steel metal braces are still the most common type of fixed appliance used, there are options available to provide patients with a more aesthetic solution. Two such examples include the use of tooth-coloured ceramic braces, as well as clear aligner treatment for example with Invisalign®. The range of types of orthodontic treatment is also vast, ranging from removable and fixed appliances, to multi-disciplinary cases involving other dental specialties.

One definite aspect of Orthodontics is that every person is different, be it with regards to faces, teeth, personalities and goals. I am very blessed to have the privilege of being able to accompany patients on their journey in pursuing their improved smile and bite, as well as being able to help maintain their smile for a lifetime!

Dr May Ling Eide is a UK trained Orthodontist with Specialist Dental Group. Her special interest lies in the multi-disciplinary nature of Orthodontics and Restorations. She is an Invisalign accredited dentist and can provide a range of treatment options to align teeth including braces (ceramic and self-ligating) and Invisalign. For more information on Dr Eide, click here

Mothers around the world are celebrated in the month of May each year. This May, to commemorate Mother’s Day, Specialist Dental Group would like to share some crucial dental information for all mothers and those planning to be mothers – as a toast to all of us who love the most important women in our lives.

The old saying that mothers will “lose a tooth for each child” is a fable. Like all fables, this one conveys a cautionary tale; A mother-to-be will experience hormonal changes due to the fluctuating estrogen and progesterone hormones in her body. First-time mothers, in particular, may neglect or over-look their oral health as they are busy planning for the arrival of the baby.

It is important for women to go for routine dental visits, even more so when they are planning to start a family. Dentists can usually detect any underlying problems such as swollen or bleeding gums, gingivitis or accumulation of plaque and calculus and be able to treat any of these conditions to ensure that a woman is at her pre-natal best where her oral health is concerned.

With increased levels of estrogen and progesterone hormones, the gum tissues of pregnant women will react differently, to plaque bacteria. Pregnancy gingivitis usually occurs when there is an accumulation of plaque and calculus, prior to pregnancy.

Recent studies show that the absence of professional oral maintenance for expectant mothers may cause some bacteria from the infection in the mouth to be transferred to the baby unknowingly.

Going for regular dental check-ups will ensure a healthy and happy pregnancy for both mother and baby as hormones associated with pregnancy can cause the gum tissue to react to irritants such as plaque and tartar.

Having a balanced nutritious diet and monitoring the frequency of snacking between meals and avoiding sugary or acidic food decreases the risk of developing cavities. Instead, mothers can choose healthier alternatives such as nuts, fruits or vegetables to curb the pregnancy cravings.

Some mothers experience morning sickness and the acidity from the frequent vomiting can eat away at the enamel, causing cavities. To combat the enamel erosion, pregnant women can rinse their mouth with water (optional: add a teaspoon of baking soda) and wait 30 minutes before brushing their teeth.

Many pregnant women are not seeing their dentists for regular check-ups due to misinformation, fear or plain neglect. However, do remember that dentists are trained to take care of your oral health before and during pregnancy to ensure everything is smooth while you focus on the growth of your baby.

For more information on  different dental issues affecting women during different stages of theirlife, read our article on women and gum health or send us your enquiries. For further information on any dental related topics, visit our website or click to make an appointment for your next dental checkup.

You may have seen teenagers and young adults on the street and in magazines sporting an array of oral piercings and tooth jewelry. These are seen as an expression of individuality as well as a fashion statement.

Have you ever considered what the long term implications of lip piercings and tooth jewelry are on your mouth and teeth?   

Fashionable piercings result in chipped, fractured, or cracked teeth, loose teeth, damaged fillings and crowns, gingival recession, periodontal disease and eventual tooth loss. Not only do the piercings interfere with proper chewing and swallowing, you may also speak less clearly due to excessive production of saliva! An oral piercing can also become loose and thus turn out to be a choking hazard. A swallowed or aspirated piercing may require surgery to remove it from either the digestive tract or lungs.

Recently, the New Brunswick Dental Society in Canada issued a warning about the risks of tongue, lip, and cheek oral piercings, explaining that these piercings can jeopardize health and urging those who already have them to remove them.

Anyone considering having an oral piercing done should seriously consider the health risks involved. Among the obvious ones include blood-borne disease such as herpes simplex virus: hepatitis B, C, D, and G; or HIV.

Less common but life-threatening complications include:

Ludwig’s angina

Ludwig’s angina is a type of cellulitis that involves the floor of the mouth, under the tongue. It often occurs after an infection of the roots of the teeth (such as tooth abscess) or a mouth injury.¹

Lemierre’s syndrome

This is a disease that is usually caused by bacteria and most often affects young, healthy adults.  It creates a blood clot, filled with bacteria near the tonsils in the jugular vein.  If this infection is not caught in time the blood clot will start to break apart & travel to the lungs & other major organs.²  

Hemorrhage or bleeding in the mouth may occur in cases of serious infections.

In addition, other bacteria can be introduced by handling the jewelry that has been inserted. Such infections can cause endocarditis, a serious inflammation of the heart valves or tissues.

Other hazards include nerve damage and possibly prolonged bleeding from punctured blood vessels. In some cases, the tongue can swell so much that the person’s airway may become blocked.

In the long run, the dental community advices: Don’t do it! Why risk your life for the sake of fashion? For more information on the effect of oral piercings on your teeth, read our previous blog post on why oral piercings can be uncool.

If you would like to schedule an appointment to remove your oral piecing(s), call us at (65) 6733 7883 or contact us via our website enquiries.

If you haven’t heard, Invisalign is the new “it” in orthodontics. Invisalign is a series of clear removable aligners and an alternative to traditional metal dental braces. They are specifically designed and customized for every patient using 3-D imaging software so you can be sure that the aligners you get is made-to-measure.

With this cutting-edge technology, the orthodontist is able to show the patient a computer simulation of the teeth movement from the start of treatment until the completed result. It is certainly exciting to be able to visualize how one’s protruding, crooked or gapped teeth will be transformed into an even set of teeth and a beautiful smile.    

The aesthetic advantages of having Invisalign treatment are very appealing. Many patients are eager and excited about  their Invisalign treatment because they get to see their teeth move gradually.. without anyone being the wiser (since Invisalign aligners are clear and virtually invisible – analogous to “contact lens” for the teeth).

With Invisalign, you can carry on with your normal routine – you can eat and drink with no dietary restrictions since you have to take out the aligners when you are eating or brushing your teeth. You only feel the tightness/ pressure on your teeth when you first change to a new set of aligners, much like having your adjustments done on your metal braces every month. This is good because then you know that your teeth are moving in the right direction as scheduled!

Unlike traditional metal braces, these sets of clear aligners also do not have wire brackets that may create friction in the mouth, which causes ulcers or abrasions in the oral cavity. It is strongly recommended to wear your aligners for at least 20 hours per day (except for meal times) and this is easy to achieve.

Additionally, many find themselves snacking substantially less due to the inconvenience of brushing their teeth and putting the aligners back on post-snack time. This means you can lose weight at the same and look ideal aesthetically and physically too!

Specialist Dental Group (SDG) has an Invisalign Platinum Elite orthodontist, a status recognizing experienced clinicians who perform a high volume of Invisalign cases. Dr Eugene Chan, who is also known as the “Invisalign Guru” for training dentists and orthodontists in Singapore and regionally, has been awarded the Platinum Elite status for many years as being one of the most experienced Invisalign orthodontists in Singapore. Dr May Ling Eide and other members of the Specialist Dental Group team are also Invisalign accredited and are happy to help you achieve your dream smile.

Specialist Dental Group (SDG) Invisalign Orthodontists

Dr Eugene Chan, is an Australian trained orthodontist and an Invisalign Consultant. He sits on the International Accreditation Panel for Invisalign Australia and Asia Pacific and is one of the top Invisalign Platinum Elite Providers in Australia and Singapore.  Dr Chan regularly trains dentists and orthodontists in Singapore and the region and is able to handle complex orthodontic cases using Invisalign as a treatment option.

Dr May Ling Eide is a UK orthodontist at SDG. She received her specialty training in the United Kingdom and is an Adjunct Clinical Lecturer at the National University of Singapore.  Dr Eide is an Invisalign accredited dentist and can provide a range of treatment options to align teeth including braces (ceramic and self-ligating) and Invisalign.

Did you know that April is Cancer Awareness Month? One might wonder what the connection is between oral health and cancer especially when the cancer affects different organs in the body. However, the connection is more closely interlinked than what many people expected it to be.

Oral health has been linked to overall health and many studies have been conducted to shed light on this topic.  At Specialist Dental Group, we feel that it is part of our responsibility to share the knowledge about the relationship between cancer and dental health and how important it is to take care of both aspects to have a better quality of life.

Before Cancer Treatment

When chemotherapy or radiation  treatment is prescribed for a cancer patient, it is in the patient’s best interest to schedule a dental assessment with a dental specialist prior to undergoing the treatment. This is to identify and address any underlying dental issues before chemotherapy starts as the immune system will be significantly compromised once the patient starts on the chemotherapy treatment.

The mouth is a cavity that contains a myriad bacteria at any given time, even for a healthy person. Therefore, it is imperative for cancer patients to go for a thorough dental check-up and cleaning by the dentist because the presence of these bacteria increases the likelihood of it entering the bloodstream, thus increasing the risk of  infection for those with decreased immunity.

After Cancer Treatment

After the cancer episode is over, a cancer patient’s health condition is usually still weaker than that of a healthy person. Therefore, it is important to update  the attending dentist about the patient’s medical history before any dental procedures are done.

Routine dental procedures such as tooth extractions  would be approached differently when cancer patients are involved.  This is because the quality of the bones of cancer patients may be altered from previous chemotherapy or radiation as these treatments slow down or stop the growth of new cells. The dentist will try his or her best to save a toothwhere possible due to the slower healing process for wound sites after extraction.  In some cases, the bone around the infection area could die (this is known as bone necrosis).

If you would like to keep updated on the latest (and interesting) dental news, subscribe to our blog posts. Visit our website for more information or to make enquiries or appointments.

Singapore’s award-winning Specialist Dental Group (SDG) has strengthened its dental team with the addition of UK Orthodontist Dr May Ling Eide and UK Prosthodontist Dr Steven Soo. The 11-person dental team now has a collective experience of about 200 years and offers comprehensive one-stop dental services in 5 specialty areas: Prosthodontics (teeth replacement), Orthodontics (teeth straightening), Periodontics (gum treatment), Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (oral and jaw surgery) and Pediatric Dentistry (dentistry for children).

Dr Eide has a special interest in braces, Invisalign and multidisciplinary procedures involving Orthodontics and Restorations. She is also an Adjunct Clinical Lecturer at the National University of Singapore. Dr Steven Soo’s area of expertise is teeth replacement: crowns, bridges and dental implants.

Dr Soo was previously a Clinical Lecturer at the Eastman Dental Institute, University of London and he also maintained a successful private practice at London’s West End.

With more people becoming aware of the importance of oral health and the implications it has on physical health, both Dr Eide’s and Dr Soo’s skills will be invaluable enhancing the Group’s services and treatment to patients.

Appointments with Dr Eide or Dr Soo can be made online at or by calling (65) 6733 7883.

About Specialist Dental Group

Specialist Dental Group was the Recipient of “Best Healthcare Experience” at the Singapore Experience Awards 2012 and was a Winner, Promising Brands at the Singapore Prestige Brand Award 2011. Founded in 1979 by the late Dr Henry Lee who placed the first dental implants in Singapore almost 30 years ago, SDG’s signature services include dental implants, braces/Invisalign, gum treatment, wisdom tooth surgery, jaw surgery and children’s dentistry. The clinic is located at the Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre in Orchard, Singapore’s premier shopping district. For more information, visit www.specialistdentalgroup.com

Specialist Dental Group is pleased to publish our first guest post – Final year Nanyang Technological University student, Steffi Goh, is an intern with our practice, and offers a student’s perspective on braces treatment.

As I am currently wrapping up the last leg of my university studies and priming myself for the corporate world alongside many of my peers, I am constantly reminded to smile during job interviews. Observing so many beautiful smiles flashing away to impress and clinch the job, I have been thinking about  the benefits of investments… in cosmetic dentistry.

Braces have become almost a status symbol of sorts, given the hefty cost of several thousand dollars. With many people expressing an interest in looking better and feeling better about their looks, it is no wonder that there is a rising number seeking aesthetic improvements. 

I recalled my experience with wearing braces (which lasted a seemingly long 4 years).  I remembered being fearful of  the injections and multiple extractions. I thanked my lucky stars that I am now past suffering from sores inside my mouth as well as the embarrassment of being caught with food stuck in between my braces.

To me, braces truly epitomize adolescent awkwardness. While my girlfriends were flashing their pearly whites at the neighboring school-boys, I thought myself incapable of attracting the opposite sex with my ‘metal mouth’ and did not dare reveal a toothy grin, thereby cementing my aloof appearance. 

But braces-wearing had its fun. For each visit to the dentist, I would emerge with different colored bands and attempt to rock the geek-chic look.  I probably startled many family members at Christmas dinner with alternating red and green bands.

The removal of my braces was perhaps one of those moments I felt like an ugly duckling growing up to be at least be swan-like. It was a delightful spiral from then onwards; hoarding the mirror to admiring my set of straight teeth; cam-whoring and laughing out loud to show off my toothy grin!

In university, I have met many friends who are contemplating  wearing braces; some due to peer pressure or influence, but mostly for a beautiful set of teeth and a red carpet-worthy smile. With more awareness and greater financial means, many adults are wearing braces of various varieties beside the standard metal ones; such as the invisible aligners (Invisalign), ceramic braces and lingual braces.

Ah! How I wish I had the option of using Invisalign during my school days. It would have made things less awkward for me. I have seen some of my friends who wear them today and it’s exactly like their own set of teeth. You can’t even tell that they are wearing braces! It’s like contact lenses for teeth.

For more information on braces and Invisalign treatment, check out the Specialist Dental Group website

The SDG Spotlight is a regular section of our Blog that lets you get to know a member of our friendly and hard-working team better. It also provides insights on our team member’s role in helping to make your dental experience at our clinic a positive one. We look  forward to your feedback and comments.

Whenever we visit the dentist, we entrust them to take care of our oral health. While the dentist is working to ensure that our teeth look their best, there is another person who helps ensure that the treatment process is as smooth as possible – the dental nurse/assistant.

Celia hails from the Philippines and has been a dental nurse with Specialist Dental Group (SDG) for over 6 years. She prepares dental instruments for dentists and assists them during dental procedures. Celia also helps with laboratory work.  She also speaks both English and Tagalog fluently.

Celia has a strong clinical background as she graduated from the Centro Escolar University dental school in the Philippines. After practising for 13 years as a dentist in the Philippines, she moved to Singapore in 2004 where she has been working a dental nurse since then.

Being a very organized senior dental nurse at SDG, part of Celia’s job also includes training and mentoring new dental assistants who have joined our team. In addition, Celia has taught many young and elderly patients the importance of dental hygiene.

During her free time, Celia enjoys leisure activities such as watching movies, walking around the neighbourhood and jogging on weekends as part of a healthy wholesome lifestyle.

What she likes about her role at SDG:

I enjoy many aspects of my role as a dental nurse such as being a part of a friendly team. I derive great satisfaction from assisting the dentists in delivering a high standard of oral care for the patients.

Describe a memorable patient/experience at SDG:

An experience to treasure was being part of a pioneering team that travelled to Jakarta in early 2010 to conduct the first “live surgery” for the Nobelguide Teeth-in-an-Hour procedure in Indonesia. Our team of dentists at SDG collaborated with Trisakti University in Jakarta to do the procedure – placing dental implants and final teeth on the upper jaw of a toothless patient within an hour! My colleague and I assisted the dentists during the procedure, while another of the SDG dentists was delivering a lecture to Indonesian dentists in real time.

Her passion in life:

I am always happy to take on new challenges to develop my skills further. As a dental assistant, if we are constantly improving and know the clinical skills like the back of our hands, the standard of care by the dental team will be excellent.

Visit our website to find out about the rest of our dental team and staff.

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.

I used to read a lot when I was young. I would devour books, any book including the literary classics, upcoming local writers, Asian writers, encyclopedias, etc.

Then life got busier, and books took a back seat, but I never forgot my old “friends”. In recent years, I have introduced them to my son. I was pleased to note that some of these perennial favourites appeared on the reading list issued by his teacher.

So I was greatly surprised when I read in the Straits Times that the number of secondary school students who take Literature as an ‘O’ Level subject has fallen drastically. The dismal number recorded recently was about 3000 students a year, compared to more than 16,000 students taking the subject each year in the early 1990s. Some of the reasons given for forsaking this subject were: the difficulty in scoring As (hence pulling down the overall grade of the individual student and the school as a whole). Another lame excuse was that Literature doesn’t provide any “solid foundation”, unlike subjects that lead to more “professional degrees” like Geography and the Sciences.

What has happened to learning as an experience in itself, not necessarily as a means to an end? Where is the enjoyment that comes from understanding the depths of the author’s soul what one finally reaches the point of enlightenment in the novel?

I remember Enid Blyton, Charles Dickens, T. S. Elliot, Louisa May Alcott and R. L Stevenson. There was much to be gleaned from their individual styles. Then there were Pearl S. Buck, Han Su-Yin, Ho Min Fong and Catherine Lim, all wonderful writers too. Why aren’t their books readily available in the bookshops now? Why are the shelves filled instead with “Horror” and “Fantasy fiction” instead? There are even Literature teachers who lament that they can’t pass on their love for the subject because some schools have too few students opting for the subject , making a Literature class non-viable.

When I was in secondary school at Singapore Chinese Girls’ School, studying Literature was never an “option”. Everybody studied the subject, even us “triple Science” students, many of whom hoped to become doctors. We were blessed with excellent teachers; there was never a dull moment in class. It wasn’t a chore to memorise passages from Shakespeare. In fact, I “acted out” the scenes at home and imagined all the drama taking place around me. In the end, I scored a distinction in the ‘O’ Level Literature paper.

So does Literature a great dentist make? Who knows? I’m sure those early years imbibing the thoughts of great authors have opened my mind in ways untold. Do I engage my patients better because there might be an untold understanding between us? Maybe….. Can I stand up in front of an audience and give a lecture in my professional capacity? Definitely! A dentist is not just a person who drills and fills teeth. The dentist needs to have empathy for the patient. Thoughts and feelings count too when coming up with treatment plans. So the next big question is: will I want my sons to study Literature in future? That’s an emphatic YES! Hopefully, it will make them better men.

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

March is Good Nutrition Month and it’s a great reminder to start eating healthily by trying out new nutritious recipes or imparting knowledge to your kids about healthier food choices.

Did you know that there are diet-related dental problems such as dental caries, developmental defects of enamel, and periodontal disease? Hence, your mouth is a window to overall health and nutrition.

The food we eat affects our teeth. Nutrition plays a vital role in maintaining our oral health. The dentist is able to identify certain medical conditions by looking into the mouth and examining the condition of your gums and teeth:

• Heart disease (due to obesity or high cholesterol)
• Diabetes (due to high sugar intake)
• The possibility of premature or low birth weight baby (due to low intake of Vitamin C, folic acid or zinc) 

Malnutrition among the elderly is also common when they have missing teeth or ill-fitting dentures as this causes them to compromise on food selections, e.g. opting for softer food that may contain higher fat content with low nutritional value such as porridge.

Tooth decay is also prevalent among the young as the food they eat, such as candy bars or caramel corn, tends to be high in simple sugars. Snacking on these between meals also increases the chance of tooth decay.

Solutions for the elderly with missing teeth include dental implants, bridges or dentures.  Children are advised to eat healthier snacks that do not harm the teeth and to reduce consumption of sugary drinks. Examples of nutritious snacks include cheese, yogurt, fresh fruits or unsweetened breads or cereals.

If you would like to keep updated on the latest (and interesting) dental news, subscribe to our blog posts. Visit our website for more information or to make enquiries or appointments.