When does adulthood truly begin?

Adulthood begins much younger than commonly thought, starting when a baby learns to trust, and continuing as habits are built and personal responsibility is taken. It's about making choices and owning their outcomes.

What are mammalons and are they normal?

Mammalons are tiny bumps naturally present on newly erupted permanent teeth. They are completely normal and typically wear off over time as a person chews and eats.

How can we foster empathy in ourselves and others?

By actively listening with our eyes and ears, and by asking what others need rather than focusing on what might be 'wrong' with them. Understanding someone's background and experiences is key to developing empathy.

What can teeth tell us about a person's life or health?

Teeth can reveal stories about the beginning of diseases (like white spot lesions), the transition to adulthood (like mammalons), enamel defects present from birth, worn teeth indicating anxiety, and even signs of trauma or abuse.

How can we overcome fear and step out of our comfort zone?

Overcoming fear involves trusting the process and the people guiding you, similar to skydiving or paragliding. The most difficult part is taking the first step; growth and beauty are found beyond the comfort zone.

What is the speaker's approach to calming crying children in a dental setting?

The speaker doesn't focus on stopping the crying but rather on understanding the child's needs. By asking 'What does this child need from me?' and showing empathy, she builds trust, which helps the child feel more comfortable.

What is the lasting impact of our interactions with children?

Children remember how we make them feel more than what we do or say. Our interactions, whether as parents, teachers, or healthcare professionals, shape their future and can be a source of inspiration or a reason for them to become someone's hero.

Key Moments

Tooth or Dare | Dr. Ashwini M. Madawana | TEDxSeremban Youth

TED

Nonprofits & Activism6 min read24 min video

Aug 4, 2026|157 views|2|1

Children English Health Identity Students TEDxTalks [TEDxEID:65861]

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Key Moments

TL;DR

Children's smiles reveal unseen potential, but a single white spot lesion could signify the early stages of serious issues, mirroring life's subtle beginnings of both good and bad.

Key Insights

Pediatric dentists don't just see teeth; they see the potential for future surgeons, leaders, and Nobel Prize winners in every child.

Adulthood begins younger than commonly believed, marked by the development of trust and routines, like brushing twice daily, which prevent future issues such as cavities.

Mammalons, natural bumps on newly erupted permanent teeth, are a normal occurrence that wear off with chewing and eating, symbolizing how life shapes us into 'beautifully imperfect' individuals.

Judging children based on differences like being energetic or curious can lead to them being labeled negatively, impacting their self-perception and future confidence, as exemplified by the speaker's own experience being called 'too quiet'.

Every tooth tells a story, from white spot lesions indicating the start of disease (comparable to silent mental illnesses) to enamel defects or dental trauma that can reveal deeper issues like abuse.

Growth and confidence are fostered by stepping outside comfort zones, as demonstrated by the speaker's experiences with indoor skydiving and paragliding, where trust and taking the first step are crucial.

Beyond the drill: seeing potential in children's smiles

Dr. Ashwini Madawana, a pediatric dental specialist, uses the game 'Tooth or Dare' to highlight that a child's smile and oral health reveal much more than just their teeth. She emphasizes that pediatric dentists, far from being annoyed by children, see immense potential in their young patients. A child who might be crying or seemingly difficult in the dental chair could grow up to be a surgeon, an innovator, or a leader. This perspective challenges the common perception of dentistry, especially pediatric dentistry, which often focuses on fillings and noisy drills, and instead views dental visits as opportunities to witness and nurture future possibilities. Dr. Madawana stresses that potential is invisible, much like the abilities of her TEDx peers, and it's a dentist's role to recognize this hidden promise in every child's mouth.

Adulthood and the power of early habits

The concept of adulthood, Dr. Madawana argues, begins much earlier than the traditional ages of 18 or 21. It starts with a baby learning to trust, which evolves into a child building routines. For example, inculcating the habit of brushing twice a day, as her mother did for her, is crucial. She shares her personal experience of rebelling against brushing twice a day as a teenager, understanding now that such habits are vital for preventing future problems like cavities. Her own 35-year streak without a cavity is a testament to the choices made early on. If she had chosen otherwise, she might not even dare to speak about 'tooth or dare' today. This underscores that early choices and habits directly shape our present and future oral health and well-being.

Mammalons and life's shaping imperfections

Dr. Madawana introduces 'mammalons' – small, natural bumps found on newly erupted permanent teeth. These are often a source of alarm for parents, who see them as abnormal. However, mammalons are a normal part of tooth development and naturally wear off with chewing and eating over time. She uses mammalons as a metaphor for life itself: we are all 'beautifully imperfect' because life has 'colored us' and shaped us. Just as these bumps disappear with natural wear, our own perceived imperfections are often a result of life experiences. This serves as a powerful reminder that not everything that appears different is broken, a lesson applicable to how we perceive ourselves and others.

Challenging judgments and fostering empathy

The talk pivots to how society quickly judges children who deviate from perceived norms. Energetic children are labeled 'hyperactive,' and curious ones are deemed 'annoying.' Dr. Madawana shares a personal anecdote about being told she was 'too quiet' to ever succeed on stage, a label that deeply affected her and led her to develop a fear of public speaking, despite becoming a debater and speaker. She argues that instead of asking 'what is wrong' with a child, we should ask 'what does the child want from me?' This shift encourages empathy, teaching children to be empathetic in turn. Quoting Maya Angelou, she emphasizes that people remember how you make them feel, suggesting that a small act of empathy can create a profound positive impact on a child's life and the world.

Every tooth tells a story: visible and hidden signs

Dr. Madawana elaborates on how teeth, through various conditions, tell stories about a person's life, health, and experiences. A white spot lesion, seemingly minor, can signify the beginning of a disease, much like silent onset mental illnesses such as anxiety or panic attacks that often go unnoticed until they become severe. Mammalons, once understood, indicate a child entering a new life phase with their first permanent teeth. Enamel defects can even point to issues present before birth. Furthermore, worn teeth can be a sign of anxiety in children, often managed with mouthguards. Most critically, dental trauma observed in clinical settings can sometimes reveal evidence of child abuse or neglect, underscoring the need for healthcare professionals to 'listen' not just with their ears, but also with their eyes, to the stories held within the oral cavity.

Trust and courage beyond the comfort zone

Drawing parallels from her experiences in indoor skydiving and paragliding, Dr. Madawana illustrates the importance of trust and courage. In indoor skydiving, she learned to relax and trust her instructor's guidance to 'fly' rather than fight the wind. Similarly, during a terrifying paragliding experience, trusting the pilot and focusing on the harnesses allowed her to overcome her fear and experience the beauty of flight. She asserts that growth never happens within our comfort zones; overcoming fear requires taking that difficult first step. In her dental practice, she doesn't aim to stop children from crying but to build trust, which makes the experience better for everyone. She specifically mentions working with children with special needs, emphasizing that they are 'specially-abled' and require understanding and empathy, particularly when they struggle to express pain.

The collective responsibility in shaping futures

Dr. Madawana reiterates that a child's story begins long before they reach a dental clinic, often influenced by socioeconomic backgrounds or past experiences that are largely unknown. True understanding requires listening with both eyes and ears. This gathered knowledge enables brighter choices, which build habits, character, and ultimately shape the future. She prompts the audience to remember a childhood friend or crush and consider the potential paths they might have taken. This leads to her conclusion that shaping a child's future is not solely the responsibility of parents but also of teachers, passersby, and healthcare professionals. Adulthood is defined by choosing discipline over excuses, trust over fear, courage over comfort, and embracing responsibility, thereby impacting the lives of children and the stories they will eventually write.

Mentioned in This Episode

●Companies

●People Referenced

Key Principles for Growth and Empathy

Practical takeaways from this episode

Do This

Step out of your comfort zone to foster growth.

Choose trust over fear, especially when facing new challenges.

Listen with your eyes as well as your ears to understand others.

Ask children what they need from you, rather than assuming what's wrong.

Embrace imperfections and differences in yourself and others.

Choose discipline, trust, and courage over excuses, fear, and comfort.

Recognize the profound impact you have on a child's future.

Practice empathy and sympathy to make a positive difference.

Avoid This

Don't assume children are annoying; understand their potential.

Don't judge children based on their energy levels or curiosity.

Don't let fear keep you from taking the first step towards growth.

Don't focus only on what is wrong; seek to understand what is needed.

Don't forget that every tooth, like every person, tells a story.

Don't underestimate the lasting impact of how you make others feel.

Common Questions

A pediatric dentist specializes in the dental care of children, often dealing with the unique challenges and anxieties that young patients experience. They focus on preventative care and making the dental experience positive for children.

Topics

Health & Longevity Neuroscience & the Brain Mindset & Self-Improvement Personal Growth Child Development Overcoming Fear Dental Health Medicine & Clinical Pediatric Dentistry

Mentioned in this video

Media

Frozen

A movie the speaker is familiar with, primarily through its song, which she uses to tell stories to children in her dental clinic.

People

Maya Angelou

A poet and civil rights activist quoted by the speaker for her perspective on how people remember interactions based on how they were made to feel.

Companies

Colgate

A toothpaste brand mentioned as part of the routine parents instill in children for dental care.

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