WELCOME TO THE MAPLE LEAF TIMES BLOG

A couple of articles are added each month with many more articles provided in the CAS's Maple Leaf Times (eMLT) magazine. To receive your eMLT magazine sent directly to your inbox (8 issues per year), become a member of the Canadian Association of Singapore. Visit the CAS website to register -- www.canadians.org.sg

Monday, April 1, 2024

How To Find Your Perfect Nude

By Ellie Sakrzewski


Nude lip colour never goes out of style, however it can be one of the hardest makeup items to add to your repertoire. 

Choosing the perfect nude lip colour depends on several factors, including your skin tone, undertones, personal preferences, and the occasion you’re dressing for. Here are some of my tips. 

Determine Your Skin Undertone: 

  • Cool Undertones: Your skin may have hints of pink, red, or blue. Look for nude lip colors with cool undertones such as pink, mauve, or taupe. 
  • Warm Undertones: Your skin may have hints of yellow, peach, or gold. Opt for nude lip colors with warm undertones such as peach, caramel, or bronze. 
  • Neutral Undertones: If you have neutral undertones, you can pull off a wide range of nude lip colours. Shades with balanced undertones, like soft browns or dusty roses, tend to work well. 

Consider Your Skin Tone: 

  • Fair Skin: Light nude shades like soft pinks, peachy nudes, or light beige tend to complement fair skin tones. 
  • Medium Skin: Warm nude shades like caramel, mauve, or terracotta can enhance medium skin tones. 
  • Deep/Dark Skin: Rich nude shades like deep browns, chocolate, or berry-toned nudes can be flattering for darker skin tones. 

Consider Your Lip Pigmentation: 

  • If you have naturally pigmented lips, you might want to choose a nude shade that’s slightly deeper or brighter to ensure it shows up well on your lips.

Match Your Makeup Look: 

  • Consider the makeup look you typically wear. For a natural look, choose a nude shade close to your lip color. For a more dramatic look, you might want to go a shade or two darker or lighter than your natural lip colour. 

Experiment and Have Fun: 

  • Don’t be afraid to experiment with different shades and finishes. What works for someone else might not necessarily work for you.
  • Sometimes nude lip colours can look flat. I like to add a sheer pink or peach lip gloss over the top to ‘lift’ the look. Remember, the perfect nude lip color is subjective and can vary from person to person.

ASK THE DENTIST: Is root canal treatment appropriate for individuals of all ages?

 


As discussed in last month's article, root canal treatment (RCT) eliminates bacteria from infected root canals. A successful RCT can help you maintain your natural smile, restore function and prevent tooth extraction.

RCT can be recommended for both adults and children if there are signs and symptoms that indicate the need for it. The procedure can be performed on both permanent and baby teeth by a general dentist or specialist (e.g. paedodontist or endodontist).

One of the greatest fears of having to undergo RCT is that the treatment would be very painful. However, RCTs carried out by a trained dental surgeon should be relatively painless as it is performed under local anesthesia. In fact, many patients fall asleep during their treatment. For patients who are nervous, treatment can be carried out under sedation. This helps reduce anxiety and allow RCT to be completed in a safe and comfortable manner.

If you suspect that you need a root canal, it is important to act fast. Delaying treatment whilst experiencing pain or discomfort can lead to more severe issues. You may discuss any concerns or questions with your endodontist/dentist so that they can advise the most suitable option to save your teeth with minimal discomfort. Take the first step to a pain-free, healthy mouth by visiting an endodontist/dentist near you today.


Dr Irene Sim is an Endodontist with Specialist Dental Group®. She received her specialty training in Endodontics from the National University of Singapore. Dr Sim has a special interest in dental traumatology, revascularization, apexification, non-vital bleaching & cracked teeth management.

www.specialistdentalgroup.com | (65) 6733 7883

Friday, March 1, 2024

Mac or PC?

 

If you really really have to choose...


It's become an age-old question – which is better? The answer? It depends.

For some it’s a religious choice. For others its budget. For the pragmatic among us, here is a list of pros and cons that can help inform your choice.

Mac:

Pros:

  1. Build Quality: Macs are known for their premium build quality and sleek design, appealing to users who prioritize aesthetics and durability.

  2. Ecosystem Integration: Seamless integration with other Apple devices and services, creating a cohesive user experience for those within the Apple ecosystem.

  3. Creative Software: Macs are favoured by creative professionals due to optimized software for graphic design, video editing, and music production.

  4. Security: Historically, MacOS has been considered more secure than Windows, with fewer malware threats and a robust security architecture.

Cons:

  1. Price: Macs tend to be more expensive than their PC counterparts, limiting accessibility for budget-conscious users.

  2. Limited Customization: Apple restricts hardware customization options, limiting user choices for upgrading or modifying their devices.

  3. Gaming: While the situation is improving, Macs historically have not been the choice for gamers, with fewer game titles natively available for MacOS.

PC:

Pros:

  1. Customization: PCs offer a wide range of customization options, allowing users to choose from various hardware configurations and manufacturers to suit their specific needs and budget.

  2. Software Compatibility: Windows has extensive software compatibility, supporting a broad range of applications for business, productivity, and entertainment.

  3. Gaming: PCs dominate the gaming scene, with a vast majority of games developed and optimized for the Windows platform.

  4. Affordability: In general, PCs can offer more budget-friendly options, making them accessible to a broader audience.

Cons:

  1. Build Consistency: The wide range of manufacturers can result in varying build qualities, and not all PCs may match the premium build standards of Macs.

  2. Ecosystem Fragmentation: Unlike the integrated Apple ecosystem, PCs may not offer the same level of seamless integration between different devices and services.

  3. Security Concerns: Windows is more susceptible to malware and security threats. However, recent versions have slightly improved security measures.


Do I really need root canal treatment?



Root canal treatment (RCT) is a dental procedure that is performed to save a tooth that might otherwise have to be removed due to extensive tooth structure loss, inflammation or infection. If pulp inflammation or infection is left untreated, it can result in pain and swelling. A tooth remains infected until RCT is completed, or the tooth is extracted. While the pain may subside with the aid of medication, the infection will not go away without treatment. Patients are encouraged to seek treatment promptly to prevent the infection from spreading and causing damage to surrounding structures such as bone or sinus.

Signs or symptoms that might indicate that you may need a root canal treatment include:

• Sensitivity/pain when biting or applying pressure to the tooth

• Prolonged sensitivity to cold and hot sensations

• Swollen or tender gums, or the presence of a bump/pimple on the gums (abscess)

• Discoloration (Darkening) of the tooth

• Chipped, fractured, cracked or heavily worn-down teeth with other signs or symptoms

On the other hand, a tooth with a damaged or infected pulp may not cause any pain or discomfort. Without proper treatment, these teeth may further deteriorate and lose their potential to be saved.

Need a professional opinion? Schedule a consult with our dental specialist team to determine if a root canal treatment is a suitable option for you.


Dr Irene Sim is an Endodontist with Specialist Dental Group®. She received her specialty training in Endodontics from the National University of Singapore. Dr Sim has a special interest in dental traumatology, revascularization, apexification, non-vital bleaching & cracked teeth management.

www.specialistdentalgroup.com | (65) 6733 7883