Even though tooth brushing starts when your child’s first few teeth start emerging from the gums, flossing doesn’t need to become part of your child’s routine until the teeth come together and touch one another. Flossing can be a tricky activity for a little one’s hands, so when it does come time for flossing, help your child floss after they brush their teeth each night. It is important to floss at night, ridding your child’s mouth of residual food debris collected throughout the day, because during the 8 hours of sleep, bacteria is busy feasting on those food particles left on teeth. Since the flow of saliva in the mouth is slower at night, the only thing washing off these food particles is your brushing and flossing routine.
When it comes time to start flossing your child’s teeth, do so as you would your own. However, make sure to communicate each step of the process. Not only will it make them more at ease, but it will help them learn why it is so important to floss their teeth. Your child will also learn valuable flossing tips and tricks at each dental visit, so by the time they are 10 years old they will be able to floss all by themselves.
Picking out floss is similar to picking out a toothbrush for your child:
- Choose a floss that has the American Dental Society’s Seal of Approval.
- Pick out a flavor that appeals to your child so he or she will enjoy flossing each night!
If your child is having difficulty picking up traditional flossing techniques, consider using dental flossers. These disposable flossers have handles similar to a toothbrush and are available in children’s sizes (and can be found in grocery stores or pharmacies) to make flossing super easy.
Do you have any tips or tricks that you used to teach your child how to floss?
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