Concerns about hygiene in the dental clinic? We will take care of it!
Dr Gordon Tam • February 14, 2020
How far would you go keep your homes and workplaces clean and maintain the hygiene? With more and more new viruses we encounter these days, we are taking more precaution and higher frequency of disinfection. Because we care for you as much as you cared for your loved ones.
Many are concerned about the ongoing Coronavirus COVID-19 that is spreading not only in China, or Singapore, but worldwide. As part of the healthcare industry, we are as concerned as you. While many are equipping themselves with masks and hand rubs, cleaning their houses and offices with disinfectants, Smile Design Dental Practice has also stepped up our routine disinfecting procedures.
Apart from the usual routine stringent cleaning, we have increased the frequency of disinfecting common areas such as door handles, counter tops to even the pen you used to sign on the credit card slip!
What is Sterilisation?
In the healthcare industry, sterilisation process is the utmost guardian of success of any treatments. In Smile Design Dental Practice, we place a high emphasis on our entire sterilisation process and infection control. The sterilisation process consists of rinsing the used instruments and soaking them in a medical grade cleaning solution before proceeding to a round of thorough scrubbing and cleaning. These instruments are cleaned, dried and pouched into individual sterilisation pouches and sent into the autoclave to begin the high temperature sterilisation process.
As for tiny and fragile instruments such as dental burs, surgical instruments and endodontic instruments will undergo the cleaning process and an additional step to ensure that the instruments are thoroughly cleaned by putting into the ultrasonic machine to allow any possible dirt to detach from the instruments. Subsequently we will rinse these instruments for another round before drying and pouching them and finally enters the autoclave for the sterilisation process.
Our Sterilisation Process
One of the main deciding factors for a new patient when stepping into a dental clinic is hygiene. Other than the first impression, decor of the clinic, reception and services provided, sterilisation process (infection control) is vital to the operations of a dental clinic.
After treatments,our dental assistant is in charge of clearing out any sharp items from the treatment room and disposing them into the designated sharp box. She will then proceed to clear out instruments, equipment and handpieces and soak them in a chemical solution of our sterilisation room.
Cleaning of all instruments, equipment and handpieces will happen within the sterilisation room. According to the proper usage of chemical solution, we soak the used instruments, equipment and handpieces for at least 15 minutes before washing and scrubbing them thoroughly under running water. The instruments, equipment and handpieces are then dried, pouched and sealed individually.
Subsequently, we send the pouched items into the autoclave, a vacuum chamber that uses high pressure and high temperature to steam and sterilise all the items. Autoclaves can provide sterilisation of dental instruments and these dental instruments be kept sterile for up to 12 months in sealed pouches.
The autoclave is able to sterilise and kill viruses that cause mad cow disease, hepatitis and HIV. Our team records patient’s medical history and details. From the patient’s information and health history, we are able to take extra precaution and make sure that we adhere strictly to the safety and hygiene guidelines and protocols.
Through our stringent and meticulous system, we ensure the sterilisation process is carried out in the proper regime, to the highest level of sanitisation; for your peace of mind.
For more information and consultation, please contact Smile Design Dental Practice at +65 6463 8588 .
To serve you better, we are available by Appointment Only.
Please contact us to schedule for an appointment.
Almost all of us needed a dental filling at some point of time in our lives. A dental filling is a restoration work done to our tooth that might have chipped off or decay. There are several choices of materials used to replace the partial missing tooth structure. Dental fillings will deteriorate over time, due to wear and tear, bad habits, or even simply they were not properly done in the first place.
What is a dental treatment plan? A dental treatment plan is a detailed plan that the dentist documents his findings after an oral examination. It reflects the current condition of each tooth that may require treatment. This treatment plan gives you a clear idea of the ideal and recommended treatment options and treatment fees. You will also know how long each treatment will take so that you can better plan your dental treatments into your schedule. In Smile Design Dental Practice, we conduct a thorough tooth-by-tooth examination, taking photographs with our intraoral camera and microscope. After the examination and dental charting, our dentists will share with you your current oral condition and customize a treatment plan. We listen to your needs and concerns, understand your considerations on time and budget. The treatment plan is customized to suit your considerations.
Many people pay more attention to adult teeth as the adult teeth will accompany us throughout the majority of our lifespan. While this is true, it is also very important to pay special attention to our baby teeth. Toddlers who are teething at this stage, are also starting to take in semi-solids and converting from liquid to solid food. Our baby teeth play a vital role here to chew well so that the food get digested properly, and absorb nutrients for growth.
Here are some professional advices that may help you to reduce plaque build up around your teeth and gum. 1. Brush Twice a Day It is crucial to brush your teeth twice daily to keep your oral health in check, using a soft-bristle toothbrush or a soft-bristle electric toothbrush can aid you to clean your teeth and gums effectively. By spending at least two to three minutes brushing each time ensures you cover all surfaces of your teeth. This helps to remove food particles and prevent plaque buildup. 2. Floss Daily Flossing is just as important as brushing, as it removes plaque and food debris located between your teeth and under the gum line where your toothbrush can’t access efficiently. You may choose to use normal floss or a water flosser at least once a day to keep your gums healthy and prevent cavities from forming between your teeth. 3. Use Antibacterial Mouthwash Rinsing your mouth with an antibacterial mouthwash can help reduce the chance of that can bacteria growth that cause plaque and gum disease. Use a mouthwash after brushing and flossing to give your mouth an extra level of cleanness. This not only freshens your breath but also helps to maintain a healthy oral environment. 4. Clean after eating ’sticky foods’ Avoiding sugary, starchy, and sticky foods is crucial especially when preventing plaque buildup. For instance, candy, pastries and toffee-like texture food can stick to your teeth and promote the growth of plaque-causing bacteria. While these food are our favourite indulgence, rinse your mouth or brush your teeth after eating. 5. Stay Hydrated Drinking plenty of water throughout the day to keep yourself hydrated is important, just like our saliva, which naturally cleanses your mouth and neutralises acids produced by bacteria. Water and our saliva also helps to wash away food particles and reduce the risk of tooth decay and plaque buildup. 6. Avoid Smoking Smoking can significantly harm our general health and also our dental health. It will lead to plaque and tartar buildup, and even gum disease. 7. Clean Oral Appliances Regularly If you wear dentures, retainers, or other oral appliances, keeping them clean is essential to prevent bacteria buildup. Always remember to keep them clean by rinsing and brushing them before and after usage 8. Regular Dental Visits Finally, visit your dentist regularly—typically every four to six months for maintenance of oral health. Dentists have specialised tools to remove stubborn plaque and tartar that you can't reach at home, and they can detect any potential issues early before they become serious problems. By incorporating these tips into your daily routine and seeking regular professional care, you can maintain a healthy, beautiful smile for years to come. At Smile Design Dental Practice, we allocate sufficient time for each patient, conducting thorough tooth-by-tooth examination, taking radiographs to check between teeth, and assessing gum health. This comprehensive approach allows us to identify your dental issues accurately and customise a treatment plan tailored to your needs. For more information and consultation, please contact Smile Design Dental Practice at +65 6463 8588. To serve you better, we are available by Appointment Only . Please contact us to schedule for an appointment.
Bad breath affects our social life, and others’ impression of us. One of the most embarrassing parts is that most of the time, we ourselves are not aware of it. You can’t smell your own breath! It is too late when we notice other people’s reactions when we open our mouths. Understanding the cause(s) of your bad breath allows you to address them more effectively.
Why would you drink lemon water? In recent years, lemon water is widely accepted for the benefits that many believed to have. Lemon contains antibacterial, antioxidants properties and it is packed with the essential minerals and vitamins that are helpful for our bodies. It can help to reduce the risk of health issues, boost kidney and skin conditions, fight infections and improve our overall well-being. It is believed that when adding lemon to water, it creates a healthy concoction that provides electrolytes and hydration that our body needs. Lemon water is simply adding freshly juiced lemon to water. The ratio of lemon to water and to consume hot or cold is entirely up to the individual. Such simple concoction has created a big hype among the health-conscious group of people. People who tried many methods turned to lemon water for solution. Those who wanted to slim down but do not like to exercise may believe that as lemon is acidic, it will help to curb their appetite, burns fats and eventually slim down without needing to do much exercises. However, lemon water should be used in combination with a healthy diet and an active lifestyle to obtain results. Naturopaths believe in using natural remedies or solutions to solve their health issues. The choice of lemon is vital. You should be using organic lemons to make sure that the source of lemon is of high quality and not contaminated by any pesticides. As the preparation of lemon water is easy and lemon is conveniently sold, many people see this as a healthy beverage they can have easily.
Why does drinking lemon water become a trend? Lemon water is simply adding freshly juiced lemon to water. The ratio of lemon to water and to consume hot or cold is entirely up to the individual. Such simple concoction has created a big hype among the health-conscious group of people. It is believed that when adding lemon to water, it creates a healthy concoction that provides electrolytes and hydration that our body needs. Those who want to slim down but do not like to exercise may believe that as lemon is acidic, it will help to curb their appetite, burn fats and eventually slim down without needing to do much exercise. However, lemon water should be used in combination with a healthy diet and an active lifestyle to obtain results. People who tried many (weight loss) methods had turned to lemon water for solution. Naturopaths believe in using natural remedies or solutions to solve their health issues. The choice of lemon is vital. You should be using organic lemons to make sure that the source of lemon is of high quality and not contaminated by any pesticides. As the preparation of lemon water is easy and lemon is conveniently sold, many people see this as a healthy beverage they can have easily.
Apart from a nice set of teeth, having a set of healthy and pink looking gums are as important.
The food trap is one of the most common complains we hear. It happens during eating when food got trapped in between your teeth. Sometimes you can remove them, but most of the time you can’t do it without flossing. This food trap may eventually lead to tooth decay or gum inflammation if left untreated. You may have experienced some embarrassing moments where a piece of salad green is trapped in between your teeth are visible to others but you may not even notice it. It can be annoying and creating discomfort when there is a big chunk of steak trapped at the back of your teeth. Apart from the awkward moments of food trap, sometimes when the food trap gets to the gums, it can irritate the gums, causing your gums to swell and sore. Although it is common, it is not normal. There are many contributing reasons for the food trap issue.
It must be exciting to prepare yourself to get pregnant. While many women go for medical checkups, it may not occur to you that dental health is as important too. At Smile Design Dental Practice, we pay special attention to our pregnant patients as well as those who are planning for a baby. Hormonal changes are expected during pregnancy. However we will not know how much it will affect you, in terms of overall well-being, appetite, mood swings, body changes and oral condition. It is common for pregnant women to experience swollen and bleeding gums. If you already have such issues before you get pregnant, chances for these issues to magnify during pregnancy are much higher.