The 1st Tooth Crosstalk | Episode 1 | The First Tooth - Where Oral Health Begins - Video
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Overview
We bring you Episode 1 of The 1st Tooth Crosstalk: The First Tooth - Where Oral Health Begins. In this episode, we are joined by two leading pediatricians-Dr. R. Kalanithi and Dr. Nandhini Kumaran-along with Dr Sujatha Akilananth, dentist, all from Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.
Together, they highlight one of the most overlooked foundations of child health: milk teeth. Healthy primary teeth play a crucial role in a child’s growth and development. Research shows that untreated dental caries in baby teeth can lead to pain, infections, difficulty in eating and sleeping, poor nutrition, delayed development, and early tooth loss. These complications may further contribute to speech problems, misalignment of permanent teeth, and an increased risk of malocclusion. In this conversation, our experts address common myths, early warning signs, essential oral hygiene practices, and the importance of pediatrician–dentist collaboration in ensuring lifelong oral health.
They answer following questions:
1. Why should doctors emphasize care for milk teeth when they eventually fall out?
2. How early should oral care begin — even before the first tooth erupts?
3. What are the most common myths parents hold about baby teeth?
4. How can pediatricians and dentists collaborate in routine child check-ups?
5. Is there any evidence linking poor milk-tooth health to speech, nutrition, or general development?
6. Which oral hygiene products do you recommend to pediatric patients as part of routine oral care regimen?
Speakers
Dr. R. Kalanidhi, MBBS, MD (Paediatrics), Diploma in Child Health, is a well-known paediatrician currently associated with Kongunad Hospital and R S Hospital, Coimbatore. She has over 30 years of experience in paediatrics, with a special interest in child health and paediatric care.
Dr. Sujatha Akilananth, BDS, is a dentist and dental surgeon with 20 years of experience in the field. She practices in Ramnagar, Coimbatore, and is a member of the Indian Dental Association (IDA). Her areas of expertise include impaction/impacted tooth extraction, gum disease treatment/surgery, artificial teeth, acrylic partial dentures, and complete/partial denture fixing, among others.
Dr. Nandhini Kumaran, MBBS, DCH, PGPN, is a Consultant Pediatrician at the Masonic Medical Centre for Children and the former President of IAP Coimbatore. Her areas of interest include nutrition, pediatric allergy, and infectious diseases, including dengue and Kawasaki disease.
Dr. Nandita Mohan is a practicing pediatric dentist with more than 5 years of clinical work experience. Along with this, she is equally interested in keeping herself up to date about the latest developments in the field of medicine and dentistry which is the driving force for her to be in association with Medical Dialogues. She also has her name attached with many publications; both national and international. She has pursued her BDS from Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore and later went to enter her dream specialty (MDS) in the Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry from Pt. B.D. Sharma University of Health Sciences. Through all the years of experience, her core interest in learning something new has never stopped. She can be contacted at editorial@medicaldialogues.in. Contact no. 011-43720751