Ask the Dentist: Post-Wisdom Teeth Surgery

Q: When can I resume my kickboxing training after surgical removal of wisdom teeth?

A: I would generally recommend for vigorous physical activity to be resumed only after your wisdom tooth operation site has fully healed.

For the first 24 hours, it is recommended to limit all strenuous physical activities as any activity that raises your heart rate, which in turn increases your blood pressure will make it difficult to control bleeding.

For the next three to five days, there may be some swelling and discomfort experienced. Hence it is still recommended for patients to rest as much as they can during this period. After your wisdom tooth has been removed, a blood clot forms over the space which previously held the tooth (socket). If the blood clot has been knocked out of position during physical activity, the nerves and bone will be exposed, resulting in pain and discomfort as well as risk of infection too.

After a week, there shouldn’t be any more swelling or discomfort and most patients are able to resume light or low-impact physical activities. In most cases, your dentist/oral surgeon will see you for a post-surgery review and during then advice if your wisdom tooth operation site has fully healed. Being the one who carried out your wisdom teeth surgery, he/she will be the best person to provide you with personalised advice and information.

Dr Ho Kok Sen is an Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon with Specialist Dental Group^®. Dr Ho is a mentor, lecturer and examiner to students in the Graduate Diploma in Dental Implantology course at the National University of Singapore. Dr Ho is a fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons and the Academy of Medicine Singapore. He has a special interest in dental implants, jaw surgery, bone grafting and complex extractions. www.specialistdentalgroup.com | (65) 6733 7883

Students showcase outstanding musical talent in Macbeth play

Music plays an important part of every elementary student’s education at CIS. Our programme focuses on providing opportunities for students of all abilities (not just those with exceptional talents) as well as developing important life skills like concentration, perseverance and teamwork. With this in mind, our TK grades 4-6 choir under the direction of music teacher Athalya Salim, were recently given the task of composing music for dialogues and soliloquies in Shakespeare’s play Macbeth.

The process involved first analysing the emotions conveyed by the script and then brainstorming about musical effects, orchestration and instrumentation. “Creativity flowed as we set the ambience, which prompted many students to make several great suggestions,” said Athalya. “For example, one of them suggested adding a canonic effect and harmony to our composition while someone else recommended getting inspiration from Scottish bagpipe music for the narration about Scotland.”

Another significant contribution was for the soliloquy in the scene where Macbeth is racked with guilt after killing Duncan: “Whence is that knocking? How is't with me, when every noise appals me?”. “The students chose an intense melody to accompany these powerful words and added suspense-filled drum beats in the background to enhance the mood,” explained Athalya.

Teamwork played a vital role throughout the process. “It was wonderful to see everyone working hard as a team; it was not just me and them but us,” described Athalya. She also added that the process of composing, arranging and singing the songs had been very fulfilling for everyone. “There were invaluable contributions from all choir students. In fact, the student input and enthusiasm encouraged me to break out of my musical comfort zone and do what I had initially thought was impossible!”

The composition was first showcased at a performance of Macbeth by over 60 TK students at the Singapore Repertory Theatre on June 6. Observing the students’ excitement was very rewarding. It was great to see them develop their skills and enjoy the rewards for all their hard work.

To find out more information about CIS’ music and other arts programmes visit www.cis.edu.sg/ learning/arts or contact their admissions team on +65 6734 8088

Fit Bit: How Much HiiT Is Too Much?

For those looking to lose fats quickly, of course there is always the HiiT workout that still trumps many other types of cardio workouts in terms of efficient weight loss.

So, the question is.. how much HiiT is too much?

We recommend 3 times per week. Why not do it daily? Here are some risks to take note of:

• Over-training increases the risk of injury. When you do not give your muscle tissue enough time to repair, your body will eventually wear out.
• Mental burnout is also a condition not to dismiss. We do not want stress and high levels of cortisol, which decreases musculature and increases abdominal fats.

A little on the cautious side to start the post summer break but it is worth equipping ourselves with knowledge.

Meanwhile, continue to have fun with your weekly HiiT sessions and why not throw in some core exercises such as Pilates or weight training. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Always check with your medical professional prior to new exercise regime.

More tips email Jessica at jessica.gan@alumni.utoronto.ca

Chicken Cordon Bleu

Serves 6

Ingredients:

• 3 large chicken breasts
• Salt & Pepper to season
• 6 slices Swiss Cheese
• 6 slices ham or prosciutto
• 2 eggs, beaten with 1 tablespoon water
• 200g breadcrumbs
• Oil for frying

Here’s what to do:

1. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
2. On a chopping board, place a chicken breast between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound it with a mallet until 1cm thick. Repeat.
3. Remove plastic wrap and place a slice of cheese, then a slice of ham, another slice of cheese and another slice of ham. Roll the chicken and place in a new sheet of plastic wrap ensuring chicken is wrapped up in a tight roll. Repeat.
4. Chill rolls in fridge for at least 1 hour.
5. After the rolls are set, unwrap and coat in flour and shake off excess.
6. Then dip in egg mixture, drip off excess and coat in breadcrumbs.
7. To cook, heat oven to 180°C.
8. Heat the oil in a large frying pan over a medium-high heat. Fry chicken cordon bleus for 2-3 minutes each side until golden. Transfer to a baking tray and cook for 20-25 minutes until cooked through.
9. Slice the chicken and serve with green vegetables or a salad.

10% off Basic, Intermediate and Baking Helper Cooking Courses & Focus Classes. Quote CAS10  when booking.