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Your child's first teeth may only last for a few years, but the good dental habits you teach now will last a whole lifetime. Here are some easy, positive ways you can care for your child's teeth, starting today.

Give them lots of calcium

Calcium is the building block for developing and protecting strong teeth. It's in milk, cheese and yogurt or, for a dairy-free alternative, try sardines. But do check the labels on yogurt and fromage frais pots for sugar or sucrose, as these won't do your child's teeth any favours. If you're pregnant, it's important for you to eat more calcium, as your baby's milk and adult teeth are formed in the womb.

Use a fluoride toothpaste

Fluoride in toothpaste is the main reason why tooth decay has been slashed by 50 per cent in the last 30 years. It works by strengthening the tooth enamel that helps protect it from decay. Be sure to use a pea-sized amount of children's toothpaste, as adult brands contain too much fluoride for little ones.

Brush your teeth with them

If your kids see you brushing your teeth, they're more likely to want to do it themselves. 'Let your child see you brushing your teeth, as kids love to copy their parents,' says dentist Graham Wilding.

However, be wary about brushing after every meal. Recent reports suggest that dentists are seeing more and more cases of acid erosion, because people are brushing their teeth too soon after eating acidic foods.

• Next: Easy steps to protect their teeth

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