Keeping a lively toddler still enough to clean their teeth isn't always easy, but get into the habit of brushing twice a day so it becomes part of the morning routine and bedtime ritual they will come to expect and even enjoy.

Brushing

Brushing your child’s teeth after breakfast and just before bed will ensure they are not coated with remnants from mealtimes for any period of time.  Once teeth are brushed at bedtime it is best not to give them anything to drink other than water as milk or juice can leave a layer on the teeth which could lead to tooth decay.

Most toddlers love the feeling of independence they get from cleaning their own teeth. Have a go yourself afterwards though, just to be sure you remove every last bit of food.

If yours is one of those children that resist having their teeth brushed, they might feel happier doing it themself.  If even this fails there are a number of things you could try to make the whole thing more appealing. Try letting them choose their own toothbrush or toothpaste at the shop. Perhaps you could give them a mirror to inspect their teeth with while brushing.  Or maybe you could let them have a go at cleaning your teeth while you brush theirs!

Always try to encourage your child to spit out the toothpaste. Using a tiny amount of toothpaste will minimise the chance of them swallowing harmful quantities of the stuff. If your child is really keen on the taste of the toothpaste keep it well out of reach and ration how much goes onto the brush!

Diet

As well as cleaning, one of the key factors in growing strong, healthy teeth is your toddler’s diet. The milk teeth develop under the gums while babies are still growing in the womb, so your diet during pregnancy will determine how they grow.

Your child will still need a good supply of calcium and vitamin D in order to keep little teeth strong and to build the foundations for their adult teeth. Milk, yoghurt and cheese are well-known sources of calcium. Other calcium-rich foods include salmon, beans and green, leafy vegetables such as broccoli.

If you can steer your child clear of sweets as much as possible then all the better. This is usually easier said than done though! Children will, of course, come into contact with sweets and chocolate sooner or later and when they do they are more than likely to develop a taste for them. Something which is completely forbidden also seems to have even more appeal!

The best thing is to try and limit a child’s sweet intake. If they do have them, let them eat a few all in one go rather than eating them slowly over a long period of time. This way you can let your child enjoy them, then brush their teeth thoroughly later, instead of allowing sugar to sit on the teeth for hours at a time.

Surprisingly this also applies to fruit juice. Although fruit juice is full of vitamins and is a healthy option for children, even fruit sugars can attack teeth and cause decay if left to coat the teeth for too long. This is not usually a problem unless children are allowed to sip juice from a cup or bottle for hours on end.

Fluoride

Fluoride can help to build strong tooth enamel and prevent tooth decay. Choose a toothpaste suitable for your child’s particular age group, as too much fluoride can be harmful. In some cases dentists recommend using fluoride drops but these should not be given unless they have been specifically prescribed by your dentist. Too much fluoride can lead to “fluorosis”, which causes white spots on the teeth.

Dentist and mother of two, Natasha Roberts says: “Fluoride in toothpaste strengthens the teeth that have erupted and stops bacteria working. Parents must be careful that children don’t swallow too much toothpaste though, as it is important not to ingest too much fluoride”.