Mothers-to-be who take calcium supplements could reduce the likelihood of their child needing emergency dentistry in the future.
This is the conclusion of a new study in Argentina, which followed 195 children from before their birth until they were 12 years old, Made for Mums reports.
Their mothers were either picked to take a calcium supplement or a placebo during their pregnancy.
It was found that the calcium group’s children had a 27 per cent reduction in their chance of needing emergency dentistry for decayed teeth later in life.
D r Luz Gibbons of the Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy said: “Teeth mineralisation starts during foetal life and this could be a kind of positive foetal programming that carries on through life.”
Last month, a three-year study looking into the benefits and pitfalls of pit and fissure sealants and fluoride varnish for tooth decay was launched by Cardiff University, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board’s Community Dental Service and Swansea University.
