Start with a small, soft-headed brush and teach your child to clean their teeth in the morning and at night.

Toothbrushes are usually sold with an age recommendation for use on the packaging. For example from birth to two years; choose one specifically designed for babies. Your baby's first toothbrush should have a long, thin handle that fits in your hand and helps you to reach around all the teeth, and a small head with soft, rounded filaments.

Use just a small smear of toothpaste on the brush because most children will swallow it before they learn to spit it out.

Fluoride tablets are not recommended if you live in an area without fluoride in the water. But make sure you use a toothpaste which contains fluoride.

Try to limit sugary drinks or fruit juice because these can cause dental decay, and don't let babies fall asleep with a bottle of milk or juice in their mouth.

You can help prevent tooth decay by establishing a regular teeth cleaning routine.

Once your baby/toddler wants to have a go himself, buy a toothbrush with a chunky, short handle and finger grips. The head should still be small and the filaments soft. You will however still need to assist with the cleaning.

You may find it useful to buy a toothbrush with a coloured area on the filaments to indicate the tiny amount of toothpaste that is required for cleaning a baby's mouth.

Change your baby's toothbrush at least every three months but sooner if the filaments are starting to splay.

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