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 …
The Dentist is In
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 …
A right, not a privilege
By Dr. Joseph D. Lim There is a lesson to be learned from Thailand. In that beautiful country, oral health is a right, not a privilege. Through Universal Health Coverage (UHC) — what Filipinos call PhilHealth is just a part of it — a range of oral health services are being made available to reverse …
Toothache: Why you should be worried
By Dr. Joseph D. Lim A toothache is more than just a minor inconvenience. It can be a sign of something far more serious. In fact, a toothache — a persistent pain in or around a tooth — should never be taken for granted. It’s nature way telling you something’s wrong. Like tooth decay, this …
Exciting jobs in oral care you didn’t know exist
By Dr. Joseph D. Lim Oral health care is more than just dentists and hygienists. It is a lot wider profession — from professionals who solve crimes to technicians who develop new dental materials. Indeed, “the world of dental science is full of opportunities,” the National Health Service (NHS) of the United Kingdom points out, …
The latest on oral health (Part 2)
By Dr. Joseph D. Lim We continue to share the latest information on oral health, according to current data from the World Health Organization (WHO). According to the United Nations health agency, there are several issues pertaining to oral health. They are: Dental caries or tooth decay Dental caries results when plaque forms on the …
The latest on oral health (Part 1)
By Dr. Joseph D. Lim The World Health Organization (WHO) has released the latest data on oral health. The key facts: Oral diseases, while largely preventable, pose a major health burden for many countries and affect people throughout their lifetime, causing pain, discomfort, disfigurement, and even death. The WHO estimates that oral diseases affect nearly …
Protect your smile — and your heart
By Dr. Joseph D. Lim Chronic gum disease, for example, may cause the development of atherosclerosis which narrows arteries, raises blood pressure and increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Another example is poor oral hygiene. It may increase the risk of infective endocarditis (IE), a serious infection of the heart’s inner lining or …