By Dr. Joseph D. Lim American children have suffered from tooth decay, cavities, stained teeth, gum concerns, or tooth pain. And that’s just over the previous two years, as reported by more than one in three parents who participated in a national survey. The dental issues were linked to the children’s oral hygiene habits, according …
The Dentist is In
Implants still functional after 40 years
By Dr. Joseph D. Lim Dental implants last. And for several decades, according to a new study conducted at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, and published in the scientific journal Clinical Implant Dentistry and Related Research. A dental implant is an artificial tooth root made of titanium that is surgically placed into the jawbone where …
Sabotage Bill vs. Sin Tax
By Dr. Kenneth Lester Lim We know that tobacco and smoking is dangerous to overall health. It is also detrimental to oral health. Now comes what critics call the “sabotage bill,” and health activists are calling for legislators to stop legislation that will roll back the gains of the Sin Tax. “We object to lower …
An opportunity not to be missed
By Dr. Joseph D. Lim Oral diseases do not occur in isolation. Oral diseases occur along with other noncommunicable diseases or NCDs. Oral diseases are linked to a range of modifiable risk factors common to many NCDs. These include sugar consumption, tobacco use, alcohol abuse, poor hygiene, and the underlying health system, social and commercial …
No health without oral health
By Dr. Joseph D. Lim The 4th United Nations High Level Meeting (HLM4) on Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) took place on September 25 this year in New York. Heads of states and governments assessed the progress made since the 3rd HLM in 2018 and this time set the vision to prevent and control NCDs towards 2030 …
Good news, bad news
By Dr. Joseph D. Lim There is still hope that the world will overcome this addiction. Over a quarter of the world’s population living in 74 countries are protected by comprehensive national smoke-free laws. Among smokers who are aware of the dangers of tobacco, most want to quit. Counselling and medication can more than double …
Without pain and with confidence
By Dr. Joseph D. Lim Good oral health is having the ability to speak, smile, smell, taste, touch, chew, swallow, and convey a range of emotions through facial expressions. With confidence and without pain and discomfort. Oral health means a healthy mouth free from diseases of the craniofacial complex (head, face and oral cavity) irrespective of …
Tobacco tragedy is ‘shocking’ —WHO
By Dr. Joseph D. Lim On May 31, people celebrate World No Tobacco Day. It brings upfront the fact that tobacco kills more than eight million people each year, including an estimated 1.3 million non-smokers who are exposed to second-hand smoke, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Around 80 percent of the world’s 1.3 …
Economic burden of tooth decay
By Dr. Joseph D. Lim Tooth decay impacts most on the economic conditions of the poor. In fact, according to new research, the economic impact of dental caries or tooth decay is disproportionately higher in the most deprived groups, new research finds. The estimated per-person costs is approximately £18,000 in the United Kingdom, research at the …
Florida bans fluoride in water
By Dr. Joseph D. Lim Florida and Utah are the first American states to ban fluoride in public water systems. Fluoride was not specifically mentioned although “the use of certain additives in a water system” will be prohibited. Instead, “fluoride” was removed from Florida’s legal definition of acceptable “water quality additives.” State representatives who voted …