SINDEE Lee, 37, grew up fearing the dentist. At her primary school, there was an in-house dentist who was, unfortunately, feared by the pupils. A visit to the dentist or the biannual oral check meant some girls would come back to class crying.
Lee isn't alone. Many adults fear the dentist because of a bad experience from young, where a visit to the 'teeth doctor' often meant extraction, which equals pain.
"I don't think children's psychological needs were considered back then. There wasn't a call for a pleasant and positive experience at the dentist so that children didn't fear them," says Lee.
In her case, thankfully, her parents were in the baby business. For the past 30 years, they distributed Mam Baby, a premium baby brand from Austria, selling them in Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia.
"I was lucky because my parents were informed about paediatric dental care through their business.
So even though the dentist experience was unpleasant, I was introduced to good dental care early on."
CHANGING PRACTICES
Things have changed these days. More parents are bringing their toddlers to the dentist once they have a full set of teeth to check on oral condition and to detect early stage tooth decay, if any.
It also helps toddlers familiarise themselves with a dental clinic set-up and not associate the visit with fear.
In addition, a biannual check-up promotes good dental habits. If parents know their toddler has a dental appointment a few months down the line, they will more likely stick to good dental routine.
RECENT RETURN
More than three months ago, Lee relocated to Kuala Lumpur from Zurich, where she was living with her husband and had worked for a pharmaceutical company.
She decided to come back to take over the business from her parents.
One of the things she is proud of in Mam Baby is its dental care line, beginning with even before the first tooth emerges.
"We have what we call the Oral Rabbit, a fabric glove parents can use to clean baby's gum and mouth.
"It's important to start a dental care routine from young so that babies and toddlers are used to it," says Lee, who is Mam Malaysia general manager.
"Brushing teeth should not be the first stage in dental care. Parents should massage and clean gums even before the first tooth appears. This is to prevent infection and keep the gum and mouth area clean from milk and food residue," she says.
A few weeks after Lee and her Austrian husband Dr Chris Hammar, who joined her at Mam Malaysia as vice-president of business development, arrived in the country, she gave birth to the couple's son.
"We had always planned to move to KL and settle down. Before the pandemic, we thought we'd go back to Austria to bring the baby to see his grandparents for Christmas, but I think that will have to wait for now."
FOR KIDS
At their young age, toddlers are still learning gross and fine motor skills so Lee says products should be "well-thought-of and designed with safety in mind".
Mam Baby, she says, has a training toothbrush with gum massager and safety shield so toddlers cannot push the toothbrush too far in and injure themselves.
"The bristles are soft and the brush head is small so it can brush deep without causing discomfort.
"But more than the products, it's the parents showing a good example by brushing teeth and setting a daily brushing routine that will make toddlers adopt it as a habit. There is no point buying good products if they are not well-utilised," she says.
START EARLY
STARTING dental care early will prevent your child from having tooth decay. Here are some steps to prevent cavities.
Get a check-up
Your child should see a dentist by his first birthday. Early preventive care saves you money in the long run.
Teach good habits
Brushing is crucial from the get-go. Before your baby has teeth, brush his gums. Use water on a baby toothbrush, or clean them with a soft washcloth. When your baby's teeth appear, brush twice a day with an infant toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste.
Avoid baby bottle decay
Don't put your infant or older child down for a nap with a bottle of juice, formula or milk. Sugary liquids cling to teeth, feeding bacteria that can cause tooth decay.
Cut back on juice
Give non-sugary drinks and foods at mealtimes. Use juice only as a treat.
Control the sippy cup
Using it too much can lead to decay on the back of the front teeth if the drinks are sugary.
Ditch the pacifier by age 3
There are a lot of good reasons to let your child use a pacifier, but in the long term it can affect how his teeth line up and change the shape of the mouth.
Watch out for sweet medicine
Children's medications can be flavoured and sugary. If they stick on the teeth, the likelihood of cavities goes up. Children on medication for chronic conditions such as asthma and heart problems often have a higher decay rate.
Be firm
If your kid puts up a fuss when it's time to brush, floss and rinse, don't let him off the hook. Make it clear he doesn't have a choice. On the part of parents, be patient. Children can start brushing their teeth with help from a grown-up around age 2 or 3, but they may not be ready to do it alone until they are about 6.
Source: webmd.com