Brushing teeth for at least two minutes a day can prevent tooth decay and the possible need for emergency dentistry to repair cavities, one expert has claimed.

Dr Andrew Choi encouraged parents to instil a good dental hygiene routine from a young age to prevent problems in the future, the Orange County Register reports.

He said: “If you’re brushing your kid’s teeth for a minute in the morning and a minute at night, there’s no reason they should have cavities.”

The specialist explained that the longer – and therefore more thoroughly – teeth are cleaned the less likely problems are to arise.

It was recommended that adults begin looking after a youngster’s teeth as soon as they appear and reduce the number of sugary drinks they give them.

Medical News Today recently claimed that tooth decay is the most common childhood disease and could affect other aspects of their daily life.