Rinsing after brushing teeth might diminish the effectiveness of fluoride toothpaste against cavities, Taipei Medical University Shuang Ho Hospital Department of Dentistry director Huang Mao-suan (黃茂栓) said at a nursing and hygiene education seminar hosted by the Health Promotion Administration on Friday.
Fluoride has been proven to be the most effective substance in preventing tooth decay, Huang said, adding that toothpaste with more than 1,000 parts per million of fluoride is recommended.
Maintaining a higher concentration of fluoride in the mouth could help prevent tooth corrosion caused by acid and help suppress bacteria, Huang said.
He added that people should spit out residual toothpaste when they finish brushing, but not rinse with water for half an hour to keep the fluoride in the mouth.
Allowing fluoride to rest in the mouth for 30 minutes is recommended for adults and children alike, Huang said.
According to a study by the Bureau of Health Promotion, the administration’s predecessor, the incidence of dental caries grew from 58 percent of three-year-olds and 73 percent of six-year-olds in 2006 to 61 percent and 79 percent respectively in 2011.
School-aged children on average have 2.5 permanent teeth that show signs of dental caries, with Taiwan narrowly trailing the Philippines and Cambodia, the study showed.
Taiwan failed to meet the WHO’s standard of an average of 2 teeth or less or its own standard of 2.3 teeth, the study showed.
Children are encouraged to use fluoridated mouthwash, the Ministry of Health and Welfare said.
Since 2013, the ministry has subsidized a program to coat the teeth of children under six with a layer of fluoride every three to six months, as well as another program to administer four applications of molar sealant in children aged six to nine.
Hong Kong singer Eason Chan’s (陳奕迅) concerts in Kaohsiung this weekend have been postponed after he was diagnosed with Covid-19 this morning, the organizer said today. Chan’s “FEAR and DREAMS” concert which was scheduled to be held in the coming three days at the Kaohsiung Arena would be rescheduled to May 29, 30 and 31, while the three shows scheduled over the next weekend, from May 23 to 25, would be held as usual, Universal Music said in a statement. Ticket holders can apply for a full refund or attend the postponed concerts with the same seating, the organizer said. Refund arrangements would
Former president Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) on Monday called for greater cooperation between Taiwan, Lithuania and the EU to counter threats to information security, including attacks on undersea cables and other critical infrastructure. In a speech at Vilnius University in the Lithuanian capital, Tsai highlighted recent incidents in which vital undersea cables — essential for cross-border data transmission — were severed in the Taiwan Strait and the Baltic Sea over the past year. Taiwanese authorities suspect Chinese sabotage in the incidents near Taiwan’s waters, while EU leaders have said Russia is the likely culprit behind similar breaches in the Baltic. “Taiwan and our European
Taiwanese indie band Sunset Rollercoaster and South Korean outfit Hyukoh collectively received the most nominations at this year’s Golden Melody Awards, earning a total of seven nods from the jury on Wednesday. The bands collaborated on their 2024 album AAA, which received nominations for best band, best album producer, best album design and best vocal album recording. “Young Man,” a single from the album, earned nominations for song of the year and best music video, while another track, “Antenna,” also received a best music video nomination. Late Hong Kong-American singer Khalil Fong (方大同) was named the jury award winner for his 2024 album
The US Department of State on Monday reaffirmed that US policy on Taiwan remains unchanged, following US President Donald Trump’s use of the term “unification” while commenting on recent trade talks with China. Speaking at a wide-ranging press conference, Trump described what he viewed as progress in trade negotiations with China held in Geneva, Switzerland, over the weekend. “They’ve agreed to open China — fully open China, and I think it’s going to be fantastic for China. I think it’s going to be fantastic for us,” Trump said. “I think it’s going to be great for unification and peace.” Trump’s use of the
RSS