Children are also faring much better: 12-year-olds in England have the best teeth in Europe and six out of 10 children start school without having experienced tooth decay.

The reason for this improvement in our dental health is because we're taking better care of our teeth.

If you want to be sure that you and your children have healthy teeth and keep trips to the dentist to a minimum, there's a lot you can do:

• First of all, use the correct toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash and floss.
• A healthy lifestyle, including eating well, giving up smoking and limiting your drinking, is good for your whole body, and that includes your teeth, gums and mouth.
• Help to ensure that your child enjoys the best dental health for life by starting good habits early, establishing a good dental health routine.
• Regular check-ups with your dentist are also a key part of any dental health routine.

For more advice and information on the common dental health issues select a topic form the menu to the left or view the leaflets available on the dental health website