The main reason is that risk assessment for potential disease that may affect the young child. It is not merely 'less of a check-up and more getting the child accustomed to the idea of seeing a dentist', as quoted in the article.

Following the assessment, paediatric dentists will schedule timely check-ups that are not necessarily 'every six months, as for adults'.

We do not recommend cleaning the child's teeth with a cloth dipped in hot water because of the danger of scalding the child's sensitive oral mucosa.

It is not the temperature that aids in cleaning but the physical act of cleaning the teeth itself. So, tap water is sufficient. Children up to age six need to have their teeth brushed for them and most do not have the dexterity to floss on their own until age 10.

We disagree that tooth decay 'can be extremely painful to treat'. Local anaesthesia, sedation and lasers in dentistry, coupled with proper behaviour management techniques, allow for painless dentistry, even in children.

While re-implantation of a permanent front tooth that has been knocked out is an option, it is not recommended for a baby tooth.

A more important message is the storage medium the knocked-out tooth should be kept in while rushing to the dentist.

The best place for a knocked-out permanent tooth is the socket itself, failing which it should be stored in a container of milk. Finally, a chipped tooth which has its nerve exposed, and not its root as the article states, may still be saved with root canal treatment.

Dr Rashid Tahir
President
Society for Paediatric Dentistry (Singapore)

EDITOR'S NOTE: The information in the article was provided by dental specialist Dr Helena Lee.