By Dr. Joseph D. Lim Think brushing teeth is just for show? To make your teeth appear pearly white and your smile perfect? Well, yes. But it goes beyond esthetics. Think about this: According to our Department of Health’s Dental Health Program, oral disease continues to be a serious public health problem in the country. …
The Dentist is In
Tongue scraping
By Joseph Lim Brushing or scraping the tongue helps rid bacteria in the mouth. As in many things in life, there is a downside to the beneficial effects of tongue scraping. And it has something to do with bacteria in the oral microbiome. The microbiome is a “community” of microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, benign viruses, …
A very essential tool
By Dr. Joseph D. Lim It’s simple, effective — and very essential. “Toothbrushing stands as one of most straightforward yet highly effective preventive measure to reduce the burden of oral diseases, affecting nearly 3.5 billion individuals,” declares the World Dental Federation (FDI or Fédération Dentaire Internationale). With more than one million members worldwide, the FDI is …
Cardiovascular disease and oral health
By Dr. Joseph Lim There is a “firm association” between oral health and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, according to a systematic review and meta-analyses of studies published between 2005 and 2015. The review supports an association between periodontal or gum disease and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, the narrowing of the arteries due to a build-up of fats …
A scientific way to brush your teeth
By Dr. Joseph D. Lim Teeth should be brushed last thing at night or before bedtime. There is evidence to indicate that brushing at night and not eating thereafter will enable fluoride protection during the night and avoid the retention of carbohydrates in the mouth during sleep time when the salivary flow is low. It’s …
Oral health for all
By Dr. Joseph D. Limhe de Universal Health Coverage can be accelerated through sustained action on oral health care. This sentiment was expressed by the World Dental Federation (FDI or Fédération Dentaire Internationale) during the 154th Session of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Executive Board from January 22 to 27 in Geneva, Switzerland. WHO member states …
Innovative interventions
By Dr. Joseph D. Lim Fluoride toothpaste as a hygiene commodity and as a product that prevents tooth decay has not received the public policy attention that could lead to innovative interventions. One such intervention, encouraged by the findings of the WHO Global School-based Student Health Survey, has worked in the Philippines. The survey, conducted in …
Dementia and oral health
By Dr. Joseph D. Lim (Second of two parts) There is emerging evidence from studies that people with dementia have poor oral health. However, the relationship between the two diseases is not clear, according to B. Daly, head of the Division of Public & Child Dental Health, Dublin Dental University Hospital, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland. …
Dementia and oral health
By Dr. Joseph D. Lim (First of two parts) 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 …
Strategies in place, or the lack of it
By Dr. Joseph D. Lim With these measures (among many others), the implementation of a policy, strategy or action plan for oral health is in place, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) country report. The Department of Health’s (DOH) 2003 National Policy on Oral Health, for example, mandates local governments to implement oral health programs. …