Children should receive help from their parents when learning to brush their teeth.

Children should receive a helping hand when they are learning to brush their teeth, it has been claimed.

American Academy of Paediatric Dentistry president Dr William Berlocher said that many children find brushing their teeth extremely tiresome and can refuse to accept any help or simply do not want to brush their teeth altogether.

It is at this time that parents should remain strong, however, as putting in place a regular oral health routine for children is important for having healthy teeth throughout their adult life.

He commented: “Children who have discovered they have some control in their lives and are resistive to their parent’s direction and instruction can be a more challenging issue.”

Elsewhere, the Vancouver Sun recently reported that more children are developing tooth cavities as a result of the higher levels of sugar and acidic foods that they have in their diets.

The publication noted that cavity levels have increased significantly over the last decade for children starting school.