Parents keen to ensure their kids' teeth are strong and healthy have been advised by a childrens dentistry specialist that they are ready to brush their own teeth when they are capable of tying their shoelaces.
Speaking to the St Michael Patch Dr Patrick Becicka said that youngsters who demonstrate the manual dexterity to tie their own shoes are able to clean their teeth.
"The best rule of thumb is if your child can tie his/her own shoes then they are ready to brush their own teeth," he stated.
He went on to note that if the child in question is below the age of two, only water should be put on their toothbrush.
Once they turn two, parents can then apply non-fluoridated toothpaste and teach their son or daughter the best way to clean their teeth, Dr Becicka told the news provider.
According to a couple of recent reports from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, nearly half of children aged five to six in the country have a history of decay in their baby teeth.