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BEING HAPPY
by Pope Francis

"You may have defects, be anxious and sometimes live irritated, but do not forget that your life is the greatest enterprise in the world. Only you can prevent it from going into decadence. There are many that need you, admire you and love you.

I would like to remind you that being happy is not having a sky without storms, or roads without accidents, or work without fatigue, or relationships without disappointments.
Being happy is finding strength in forgiveness, hope in one’s battles, security at the stage of fear, love in disagreements.

Being happy is not only to treasure the smile, but that you also reflect on the sadness. 

It is not just commemorating the event, but also learning lessons in failures. 

It is not just having joy with the applause, but also having joy in anonymity.

Being happy is to recognize that it is worthwhile to live, despite all the challenges, misunderstandings and times of crises.

Being happy is not inevitable fate, but a victory for those who can travel towards it with your own being.

Being happy is to stop being a victim of problems but become an actor in history itself. 

It is not only to cross the deserts outside of ourselves, but still more, to be able to find an oasis in the recesses of our soul. 

It is to thank God every morning for the miracle of life.

Being happy is not being afraid of one's feelings. It is to know how to talk about ourselves. It is to bear with courage when hearing a "no". 

It is to have the security to receive criticism, even if is unfair. 

It is to kiss the children, pamper the parents, have poetic moments with friends, even if they have hurt us.

Being happy means allowing the free, happy and simple child inside each of us to live; having the maturity to say, "I was wrong"; having the audacity to say, "forgive me". 

It is to have sensitivity in expressing, "I need you"; to have the ability of saying, "I love you." 

So that your life becomes a garden full of opportunities for being happy...

In your spring-time, may you become a lover of joy. In your winter, may you become a friend of wisdom. 

And when you go wrong along the way, you start all over again. Thus you will be more passionate about life. 

And you will find that happiness is not about having a perfect life but about using tears to water tolerance, losses to refine patience, failures to carve serenity, pain to lapidate pleasure, obstacles to open the windows of intelligence.

Never give up .... Never give up on the people you love. Never give up from being happy because life is an incredible show. 

And you are a special human being!"

- Pope Francis -

Part 4 : Losing your bite?

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Do we need to replace all missing teeth?

It is not necessary to replace every single missing tooth. However, if a missing tooth is not replaced, the adjacent teeth have a tendency to drift into the gap. The tooth on the opposing jaw will also tend to erupt further and drift up or down towards the opposing gap. When either of these scenarios happens, it may cause more problems in the future.

When should we replace missing teeth?

Missing teeth should be replaced as soon as possible. This is to minimise the need for more complicated procedures in the future, as the jawbone where the tooth was extracted will shrink over time, making the replacement of the tooth more difficult.

Are dental implants better than bridges or dentures?

Generally yes, as dental implants do not require additional treatment or violation of the adjacent teeth, unlike the case for bridges. They are also superior to dentures in terms of comfort, bite force and practicality.

How can I tell if I am healthy enough to have dental implants?

In most cases, if you are fit to undergo treatment such as routine tooth extractions, you should be fit to undergo dental implant procedures. It is best to consult your dentist about any concerns that you may have regarding your health issues and dental implant treatment.

How do I care for my dentures?

Always handle your dentures with care. Dentures are quite delicate and may break easily if dropped. Just like your natural teeth, you need to brush the dentures everyday to remove stains and food particles on its surface. Your dentist may recommend a denture cleanser for further cleaning.

How do I care for dental implants and dental bridges?

Dental implants and bridges are fixed in the mouth and cannot be removed for cleaning. Hence, there is no risk of losing or dropping them. Caring for dental implants and bridges is similar to caring for your natural teeth. Good oral hygiene and comprehensive care is necessary to prevent diseases around implants and bridges. With proper home care and regular 6-monthly professional maintenance by your dentist, your implants and bridges could last you for life.

Written by : Dr Debbie Hong

Part 3 : Losing your bite?

Removable partial or full dentures

Removable partial or full dentures do not require any grinding of teeth. Removable partial dentures are used when one still has some remaining teeth to help retain and support the denture; complete dentures are used when all the teeth are missing.

As the name implies, this is a removable option for replacing teeth and one has to remove the dentures frequently for cleaning. This option is usually more economical compared to dental bridges and implants. The denture making process usually takes a few weeks and appointments. Your dentist will make an impression of your teeth, and you will need to try in the denture for fit, color and shape prior to the fabrication of the final denture. You may need a few weeks for your cheek muscles, lip and tongue to get used to the new dentures.

To be continued...

Written by: Dr Debbie Hong

Part 2: Losing your bite?

Dental Bridges

A tooth-supported fixed bridge is a common alternative to dental implants for replacing missing teeth. Before the advent of dental implants, bridges were the only fixed option available for replacing missing teeth. The main disadvantage of a bridge is that it involves grinding away adjacent healthy teeth in order to support the bridge. Another alternative is a resin-bonded bridge (Maryland bridge), which does not require grinding of adjacent teeth. However, the bridge is attached to the adjacent teeth via cementation, and hence it is not as strong as a conventional bridge. This option is usually indicated for replacement of teeth that do not need to sustain heavy biting forces.

To be continued...

Written by : Dr Debbie Hong

Part 1: Losing your bite?

OPTIONS FOR TEETH REPLACEMENT

If you have missing teeth and you are wondering if you can ever chew, speak and smile in the same way again, the answer is yes. With advancement in technology, even the fully edentulous (no teeth at all) person can have their bite again. Losing your ability to bite and chew is a life-changing and stressful experience, and the inability to savour and enjoy food can be depressing to many.

When teeth are missing, whether it is the front or back teeth, your chewing ability will be affected. Fortunately, missing teeth can be replaced. The following are the three options your dentist may suggest:

      1)  Dental Implants

      2)    Fixed Bridges

      3)    Removable Partial or Full Denture

These replacement options usually last for years. It is important for you to be examined by a dentist, who will go through a detailed examination before advising on the most suitable option for your needs.

Dental Implants

Some time ago, the idea that missing teeth could be replaced by artificial implants seemed out of this world. Perhaps some of us will remember our elders telling us to take care of our teeth because once they are lost, they cannot be replaced. Fortunately, in recent times, with the evolution of implant dentistry and developments in technology, missing teeth can be replaced by dental implants, which function, look and feel like your natural teeth. Depending on your condition, your dentist may be able to replace your missing tooth on the same visit.

The placement of dental implants requires a minor procedure where the implant fixture (a titanium screw) is placed in the jawbone. Once the implant is placed, two to six months will be needed for the implant to integrate with your bone. During this healing period, you will have a temporary crown or denture, so that you do not walk out of the clinic with no teeth, especially in the case where one has missing front teeth. The crown (visible) part of the tooth will be fixed onto the implant when it is integrated with the jawbone.

To be continued.....

Written by : Dr Debbie Hong

Learning more about cracked tooth ...

How can I tell if I have a cracked tooth?

The signs of a cracked tooth are not easy to spot and the symptoms are inconsistent and varied. You may experience pain on biting from time to time especially when you release the biting force. Consult your dentist immediately if you suspect that you have a cracked tooth.

How long will the symptoms of a cracked tooth last?

The duration of the symptoms depend on how quick the cracked tooth is diagnosed and treated. The diagnosis of a cracked tooth can be challenging, as the symptoms are inconsistent.

Will my tooth become better?

If a tooth is cracked, it has to be treated either with root canal treatment and/or a crown, or even extraction of the tooth depending on the type and severity of the crack.  Cracks of teeth are unlike cracks on our bones that will heal over time. A crack on a tooth will never heal; it will usually only get worse if not treated.

Should I be concerned with craze lines seen on my teeth?

Craze lines are sometimes seen on tooth surfaces. Craze lines are very superficial cracks or stress lines on the enamel surface of a tooth and mostly require no treatment at all. The tooth still functions as usual and does not cause any discomfort. However, if you are having discomfort on the tooth, please seek advise from your dentist.

What are the options available for the replacement of a cracked tooth?

If the crack on the tooth is so severe that it needs to be extracted, the tooth can be replaced with an implant, a denture or a bridge depending on the tooth involved and your existing dental condition.

Written by : Dr Debbie Hong