Diet does make a difference to your child's teeth. Avoiding sweets, sticky foods and between-meal snacks is advised. Saliva in the mouth can clean teeth, but it needs time to work. A child who snacks constantly during the day never gives saliva the chance to clean the teeth.

Milk or other liquids taken from baby bottles can create special problems particularly when it stays in contact with the teeth for a long time. Never put a baby to bed with a bottle. Don't let your child walk around during the day with a bottle. Teach your child to use a drinking cup around the first birthday.