By Dr. Joseph D. Lim Oral diseases, while largely preventable, pose a major health burden for many people throughout their lifetime, causing pain, discomfort, disfigurement, and even death. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that oral diseases affect nearly 3.5 billion people globally. The United Nations health agency cites data from the Global Burden of …
The Dentist is In
‘Useless’ organs are useful
By Dr. Joseph D. Lim The appendix, male nipples and wisdom teeth are just some parts of the body that are there because they have always been there, an integral part of human evolution. They don’t have apparent functions, or so it seems. And it may not be the case. Take the thymus gland, long …
Regrowing teeth
By Dr. Joseph D. Lim It’s a process that has nothing to do with Taal and Kanlaon, both recently exhibiting signs of restlessness. It’s called an eruption, the early stage in our lives baby teeth is lost. It sets the opening for stronger permanent teeth. Trivia: Rabbits never stop regrowing their teeth, a process not available …
Hack attack – on toothbrush!
By Dr. Joseph D. Lim This really spiked our interest: Toothbrush has been hacked. Why it matters: Hacking and digital security is so much a part of our life in this day and age of the internet that securing our cyber presence and activities is much a part of every day safety. And so it …
Bad breath: Where it comes from
By Dr. Joseph D. Lim Bad breath comes from the interaction between two common oral bacteria. The interaction leads to the production of a chemical compound that causes bad breath, according to researchers at Osaka University. Why is this important? Well, for a start, understanding how the two bacteria work together to cause bad breath …
Refugee health
By Dr. Joseph D. Lim There are millions of refugees worldwide. And their oral health needs beg for urgent attention, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and FDI World Dental Federation, the world’s largest grouping of dental associations. To address this, a comprehensive policy brief was launched, titled “Addressing Oral Health …
First treatment for obstructive sleep apnea
By Dr. Joseph D. Lim A treatment for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adults with obesity has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Zepbound (tirzepatide) is to be used in combination with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. The US FDA granted the approval to Eli Lilly and …
Habits that could be bad
By Dr. Joseph Lim There’s a dark side to healthy habits like drinking spring water, brushing after you eat, and even exercising: They could be damaging your pearly whites. Or just simply chewing on hard objects. Now, who among us is not guilty of chewing on ice? It seemed fun especially when we were all younger. …
Dental implants: A stunning growth
By Dr. Joseph D. Lim The global market for dental implants is growing. At a “stunning pace,” according to DelveInsight, a healthcare market research and business consulting company based in India and the United States. It is valued at US$5,126.5 million in 2021 — and growing. From 2022 to 2027, it is expected to reach …
Dementia and oral health
By Dr. Joseph Lim The fourth of the reviews looked at the link between oral health and dementia. The results suggest that poor oral hygiene is associated with dementia, and more so among people in advanced stages of the disease. Suboptimal oral health (gingivitis, dental caries, tooth loss, edentulousness) appears to be associated with increased …