Tooth decay is caused when bacteria in the mouth feed on the sugars which are left behind after eating. The acid the bacteria produce causes damage to teeth, leading to tooth decay.

Prevention methods:

• Giving healthy snacks in between meals, such as fruit or vegetables.
• Restrict sugary foods and drinks to meal times.
• Limit the amount and frequency of sugar in your child's diet.
• If children are thirsty at bedtime offer them a drink of water or milk.
• Sugar comes in many different disguises so check labels for: sucrose, fructose, maltodextrin, glucose and honey.

Sweet, sharp snacks mean tooth decay attacks. Tooth erosion can also be a big problem for tiny teeth. This is when the surface of the tooth is slowly worn away by acidic foods and drinks.

Prevention methods:

• Don't offer too many acidic drinks
• Fruit juices, squashes and other soft drinks should be diluted for young children. This makes them less acidic or sugary, so they will be less likely to cause tooth erosion.

Milk and water are the best drinks for teeth.

Brushing teeth

• Start by brushing your baby's gums, with a soft toothbrush at bath time.
• When your child gets their first milk tooth start brushing with fluoride toothpaste. It's important to use fluoride toothpaste as it helps to prevent and control tooth decay. Start with a smear of toothpaste.
• Children aged 3 - 5 years should use a pea sized amount of toothpaste. Make sure your child does not eat or lick toothpaste from the tube.
• Help children to brush their teeth twice a day, once before bedtime and at another point in the day. Encourage children to spit out excess toothpaste.
• Supervise tooth brushing until your child is at least 6 or 7 years old.

Make brushing fun. You can do it when you are doing your own teeth, children often like to copy. Take your child to the dentist as young as possible and be sure to take them at least once by the time they are 2years old.

Questions and answers
Should I stop giving my child fruit juice?
No. fruit juice plays a more useful role in your child's diet and contains vitamin C. Just restrict it to meal times and make sure it's well diluted. Also check the label, as some ready to drink fruit drinks are mostly water and sugar.

Are sugar free squashes safe to give my child between meals?
Sugar free drinks usually contain artificial sweeteners and are nor designed for babies. If you do give these kind of drinks to young children ensure that they are well diluted.

Is it ok to give my child tea or coffee?
Giving tea or coffee to young children reduces the absorption of iron and is not recommended. If you do give them tea or coffee, make sure it s not at meal times and that it is very weak, containing lots of milk, but no sugar.

My child keeps asking for fizzy sweets and drinks! What can I do?
Sweets and fizzy drinks can harm your child's teeth, as well as taking away their appetite for more nutrious foods. Try not to offer them regularly so that your child won't expect them and you'll avoid tantrums. Have plenty of tooth friendly snacks available.