Sunny Health

Good news to those of us who have some form of decay on our teeth; that means, almost all of us! A new chemical that could encourage cells in the dental pulp to heal small holes, is currently undergoing tests with positive results. According to the science journal Science Reports, the process works by soaking a biodegradable sponge in the drug (called Tideglusib) and placing it in the tooth cavity. This then encourages the damaged tooth to repair itself.

All hail the tooth fairies, I mean, the research team from King’s College London for this amazing discovery.

The team is hopeful that the drug would be commercially available in three to five years time.

Which means that during this period, we still mustn't let our guard down.


We use our teeth on a daily, regular basis. Any food and drinks we consume (except maybe water with fluoride) have the potential to cause tooth decay or cavities. Coupled with poor maintenance and oral hygiene, this is a sure-route down the path of no return. As the body is not equipped to repair the teeth, the only way to seal it up and prevent further decay in the tooth is through tooth fillings. Not doing so can result in further decay and ultimately tooth aches, and the tooth will have to be removed.

Tooth fillings aren't intrusive, but they don't come cheap, and after some years, they have to be replaced. So it is ideal if you can avoid the necessity of having them at all, and all that needs is good oral hygiene. This means doing the following:

1) Brush your teeth two times a day, after meals.

2) Floss your teeth everyday. This is a must. Not flossing your teeth is akin to not taking a bath. In fact, flossing your teeth can be said to be more important than brushing your teeth! If you're in a situation whereby you can't brush your teeth, you must at least floss it. 

3) Shortly after snacking or drinking anything (aside from water), rinse your mouth or gargle with water. Even better, floss. Fruits and vegetables increase saliva flow and these are typically good for your teeth. But still, it also depends on the preparation method. If you had fruits with chocolate fondue, you most definitely need to get all that sugar out. If in doubt, just gargle water and rinse.

4) You may wish to invest in mouth wash if you have trouble brushing your teeth. However, I have been told by my dentist that too much mouth wash may not be good in the long run due to the alcohol components inside it.

5) Visit the dentist at least twice a year to get professional cleanings and oral examinations for early signs of problems. Some people may have health conditions that impact on their oral health, and thus these people may require additional help with their oral hygiene. If you are a CHAS card holder or Pioneer Generation Card holder, some dental clinics will provide subsidised treatments. Visit the CHAs website for the list of participating dentists.

Until the tooth fairies deliver, hang in there and hold the fort!

This is a strange resolution to make, but in 2017, I have decided that I want to be more prudent with the cleanliness of my smart phone. After all, smart phones are more contaminated than an office toilet seat, and even tablets, even more so than smart phones! According to the study by British company Which, one particularly dirty tablet was found to have 600 units of Staphylococcus aureus, commonly referred to as staph infection. This bacteria can cause a variety of diseases, including food poisoning and toxic infection. 600 units is a risky amount and would have been prohibited on a food handler. Yet many of us dine with our dirty phones at our finger tips!

Each day, our hands touch many surfaces that numerous people have also touched, leading to an exchange of germs. Some of us may clean our hands, but we don't think of cleaning our phones, and when we touch them, our hands get dirty again. Furthermore, bacteria thrive in warm places. Our phones are warm, and we keep them in warm, dark places like in our bags or pockets. Little wonder that they are a hotbed for bacteria.

Japanese mobile giant NTT Docomo recognises the potential severity of the situation, and has sponsored toilet paper at the Narita International Airport which can be used to disinfect your phone. If you visit the airport from now until March next year, you will see it installed in seven bathrooms.

But of course, maintaining the cleanliness of your phone should not stop at a one-time wipe in the bathroom.
To prevent your phone from turning into a further health hazard (as if all that talk about radiation isn't bad enough), you should clean it everyday, and if you're a heavy user, then a few times a day.

You can use a soft, slightly damp/moisturised lint-free cloth to wipe your phone, then use a dry lint-free cloth to dry it. Be careful not to get water or dampness into the openings on your phone. Alternatively, you can also purchase screen wipes made for phones. Alcohol-based cleaners, though effective for general hygiene, are not recommended, particularly for Apple products, as Apple has said that iPads and iPhones are susceptible to damage by alcohol.

Aside from cleaning your phone, practise good personal hygiene by not using your phone while on the potty. Surely you aren't going to miss much during those few minutes that are not spent looking at your phone. Refrain from touching your phone when eating. It's bad manners to do so anyway if you're eating with someone. If you must look at your phone, then be sure to have tissue or hand sanitiser with you, which you can use to clean your hands after touching your phone.

Good sanitation habits go a long way. Make them a part of your life as you start the new year.

Have a healthy 2017!