A survey released by the health ministry shows that over 65% of Taiwanese children aged under 6 have tooth decay.
Going to the dentist might be scary for a young child. But, what’s really scary is that six in 10 Taiwanese children, under the age of 6, have cavities. The health ministry says it’s important to get an early start on proper dental hygiene.
One parent says her daughter has seven cavities. She gives her child snacks between meals, and brushes her teeth once in the morning and once at night.
Pediatric dentist Lee Yang-chun says bacteria in the mouth continuously break down sugars that people eat. This produces acid, which wears away tooth enamel. Lee says filling cavities alone is not enough to prevent future tooth erosion.
Eating starchy foods, like rice, may also lead to cavities. That’s because they can convert easily into sugars in our mouth. Tooth decay is caused by PH imbalances in the oral cavity.
Dr. Lee says children should brush their teeth at least twice a day with toothpaste containing over 1,000 ppm of fluoride.