In Singapore, dentists reported 4 out of 10 patients complain of sensitive teeth.

The reason why the prognosis for sensitive teeth has barely improved for the past decade is that most sufferers do not inform their dentists about the issues they are facing. “It is clear that the condition is having a significant impact on the lives of sufferers, yet is not being effectively treated,” says Charlie Parkinson, director of medical affairs at GlaxoSmithKline.

What is the number one thing most people do after getting out of bed? If you are thinking- Brushing your teeth, you got that right! Many of us brush our teeth twice a day. Once, when we wake up, and another when we head to bed. But how many can attest to being able to brush correctly?

This year, one of our New Year goals is to try and improve everybody’s dental health. One way is to have an excellent oral hygiene regiment; which means taking steps to keep your entire mouth clean and healthy.

Pain is the body’s built in alarm system. It tells us when something is wrong and may require our attention. Toothaches in particular are a symptom of many underlying problems such as an infected tooth or inflamed gums, or an impacted wisdom tooth.

Some tooth sensitivity may feel like a toothache. More than half of the adults in Singapore complain about sensitive teeth, yet do not know how to treat it, according to research by GlaxoSmithKline. One in three people in Southeast Asia suffer from dentine hypersensitivity, which makes them more sensitive to hot and cold food.

Wisdom tooth, clinically known as the third molar tooth, are the last teeth to come in for healthy adults. They are called wisdom teeth because they typically between 17 and 21 years old.

Healthy wisdom teeth help people chew. However, some may argue that they are largely vestigial appendages, biological remnants from the time our ancestors had to chew through tough plant fibers, and had bigger jaws to accommodate more teeth.

Today, humans have smaller jaws because of changes in diet, and thus have less space for teeth. But we have yet to evolve out of growing wisdom teeth, which causes problems for about 85% of the population. When a wisdom tooth grows incorrectly, it causes wisdom tooth pain. They become impacted, affect the alignment of the surrounding teeth, and irritate the gums. An impacted wisdom tooth is one of the oldest dental problems of mankind, with the first known impacted tooth belonging to a woman from some 13-15,000 years ago.

In the US, an estimate of over half of adults have periodontal—or gum—disease. In Singapore, studies have found that over 80% of Singaporeans have tartar, the root cause of gingivitis and periodontitis, and a staggering 85% already have some form of gum disease.

Obviously, the gums are a hotbed of activity for bacterial infections, which is one of the most prevalent issues in dental health. Yet proper care for the gums may be taking a backseat to issues about teeth. There does not seem to be as much talk for keeping your gums healthy as there is about teeth.

Understanding gum disease, how it starts, and possible treatments is important for better dental health. You may already be one of the 85% of the population in need of some sort of gum intervention.

A mouthful of metal is usually the first image that pops up in everyone’s mind when “braces” are mentioned. However, did you know that there exists a more aesthetically pleasing alternative?

Root canal. No other phrase elicits as much horror in dental patients. But root canal pain is in fact avoidable with regular dental checks and by solving minor issues before they become major.

Whether or not you are a working professional or a young adult studying for your examinations, you will definitely be interacting with other people. A confident smile would break any ice between you and the person you would like to interact with. But, are you able to smile confidently? This is where veneers may be for you to improve your smile! Unfortunately, the topic of Veneers is plagued with misunderstandings and misconceptions, but let us take a proper look at veneers, its role in dentistry and also dispel the three most misleading myths about veneers.

What causes teeth to discolor in the first place? 

Some degree of teeth discoloration comes with age but certain habits factor in.

Halitosis or bad breath is definitely embarrassing. It can destroy an interview, a date and ruin a first impression.

Millions of people suffer from halitosis or bad breath. In most cases it originates from the tongue and gums. As we all know, it can be humiliating, but it is a normal condition that can be prevented.

Gone is the era where extraction and leaving the space alone was the number 1 choice, or dentures were the first thing that came to mind. Patients these days are often asking for a more permanent and comfortable replacement option and many have found that dental implants are able to provide what is desired.

We have all been there before, forgetting a toothbrush during a travel or you simply did not have the time to brush your teeth. These habits can eventually cause bad breath or even dental problems.

In instances where you are not able to, there are ways for you to freshen your breath without using a toothbrush.

It is easy to improve your breath and keep your teeth and gums healthy if you know the ways to do it. Try these simple steps to help your mouth feel fresh and clean all the time.