FAQs

Dental cavities are caused by bacteria in the mouth that convert sugars in the foods we eat to acids. These acids eventually break down the tooth surface to cause a hole or a cavity.

Dental cavities are also known as Early Childhood Caries (ECC) which is a transmissible and infectious disease that may begin as soon as the first tooth erupts. ECC is the most chronic infectious disease of childhood being five times more common than asthma and seven times more common than hay fever!

Baby teeth are extremely important! Here are some of the functions of baby teeth:

• Nutrition via chewing
• Space-holders of the underlying adult teeth
• Speech
• Aesthetics

Your child should visit the paediatric dentist as soon as the first tooth erupts and no later than age one.

Early visits allow the paediatric dentist to educate you about the preventive strategies necessary in hopefully having a cavity-free childhood.

The frequency of your child’s dental visits is dependent on their risk for cavities. A child with a high cavity risk may see a dentist as often as every three months.

A child with a low risk of developing dental cavities may see a paediatric dentist every six months.

Research has shown that gum disease can increase the risk of preterm birth, low birth weight and pre-eclampsia.

In addition, mothers with poor oral health are at greater risk of transferring the bacteria that causes cavities to their children.

Oral care tips during pregnancy: 

• Visit your dentist regularly to ensure and maintain good oral health 
• Brush with a fluoridated toothpaste at least twice a day and floss daily to reduce the amount of bacteria in the mouth 
• Sharing utensils, cups or food can cause the transmission of cavity-causing bacteria to your child 
• Chew xylitol-based gum (e.g. Trident). Xylitol is a natural sugar-free sweetener made from the fibers of many fruits, vegetables and hardwood. A child’s risk for cavities has been known to decrease when an expectant mother chews 4 pieces of xylitol-containing gum daily.