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Children under three should only be given water and milk to drink, warns a nutrition expert, following a report out today detailing tooth-decay statistics in the UK.

The survey, by Public Health England, has revealed that one in 10 three-year-olds have tooth decay. The findings showed that youngsters had an average of three teeth that were decayed, missing or filled.

“Much of children's sugar intake comes in the form of sugary drinks. Drinking them from bottles and sippy-cups further increases the damage caused, particularly to the front teeth,” claims Mel Wakeman, nutrition expert and Senior Lecturer in Applied Physiology at Birmingham City University.

“Ideally children should be encouraged to move from a bottle to a cup from the age of one, but many children can find this transition difficult – as do parents –  because the bottle is often a great source of comfort and less messy.

“Teaching a child to use a straw can also help.

“But sugary fruit juice drinks aimed at very young children are simply not necessary and should be avoided. Water and milk for the under 3's are the best choice,” she said.