Schools should teach children how to brush their teeth, health watchdogs have said, as they reveal one quarter of five-year-olds have tooth decay.

New guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) says teachers and school nurses should supervise teeth brushing in a bid to drive down rates of tooth decay.

The advice says such programmes should be introduced in schools, nurseries and children’s centres in areas at risk of poor oral health.

Tooth extraction is the most common reason for admission to hospital for children.

The watchdog said 25 per cent of five-year-olds have obvious tooth decay, with an average of more than three missing, decayed or filled teeth among such children.