When to Start Flossing Your Child’s Teeth (And How to Make It Easy)
The Importance of Flossing
Flossing is an important part of a proper dental hygiene routine. Flossing prevents cavities and gum issues by cleaning out the space between the teeth where bacteria can hide. This step in the oral hygiene process is important for every mouth, and parents might be surprised by when they should begin to floss their children’s teeth. The team at Spinnaker Pediatric Dentistry is here to help parents understand when to begin flossing their teeth, and how soon they should start.
When to Start Flossing
Many parents might not be aware, but flossing should begin as soon as your child has two teeth that touch. That means you should begin to floss your child’s teeth as soon as two of their baby teeth erupt next to each other. That could be as early as around their first birthday.
Why Flossing Matters for Kids
Flossing is important for everyone. Using floss should be made part of a daily dental routine. Floss aids in food and plaque to being removed from between teeth. Since toothbrushes can’t reach between teeth, flossing helps to clean those small spaces so that bacteria can’t have a place to hide.
The sooner parents begin flossing for their children, the better acquainted the children will become at this important dental hygiene step. Learning about using floss from an early age can help children develop this healthy habit to help keep their teeth and gums in tip-top shape.
Choosing the Right Floss for Kids
When it comes to dental floss, there are two types—traditional dental floss and floss picks. Both have their advantages and, with practice, are both easy to use.
Floss picks are easy to use because a small piece of dental floss is attached to a plastic handle. To use, you just slide the floss between the teeth, rub the floss against the teeth gently, then remove from between the teeth. This process is repeated until all spaces between teeth have been cleaned.
The other option for flossing is using standard dental floss. The team at Spinnaker Pediatric Dentistry recommends using waxed dental floss because it is easier to slide between the teeth.
To use dental floss properly, take a section about 18 inches in length and wind it around your middle fingers. Using the index fingers and thumbs, hold the piece of floss taut and slide it gently down between two teeth. Curl the floss to one side and gently rub the side of the tooth to sweep away any food particles that may be stuck between the teeth. As you get closer to the gums, make a “C” shape with the dental floss, push the gum down gently, and clean around the tooth with the dental floss. This ensures there are no food particles left under the gumline.
Repeat this process for the other side of the tooth. When you’re finished, slide the dental floss out and wind the used part of the floss down your middle finger. Using a clean section of floss, repeat until you’ve flossed between all of your teeth.
Making Flossing Fun
Since flossing is part of a healthy dental routine, it is important to get your children used to it. To help get them in the habit, encourage the family to floss together. Spend time each night brushing your teeth together, and then using floss (or vice versa). This routine can help turn the activity into a healthy habit that will stick with your child for the rest of their life.
If your child is big on rewards or praise, consider using a sticker chart to track their flossing progress. Every time they floss, they get to add a sticker to the chart. When a goal is met, like flossing for two weeks straight without missing a day, they can get a small reward, like 10 minutes of extra screen time, or a small toy as a reward.
Tips for Parents
To help your child develop the healthy habit of daily flossing, the Spinnaker Pediatric Dentistry team recommends that parents floss their children’s teeth as soon as they have two primary teeth that come in next to each other. If your baby is introduced to flossing at an early age, they won’t be bothered by the activity as they grow older.
Since flossing can be a complicated activity, especially for young ones, parents may need to floss their children’s teeth longer than expected. Experts say when children are around the age of eight, they usually possess the manual dexterity to begin flossing by themselves properly; although, some children might not be ready to tackle flossing solo until they are nine or ten. Parents should encourage their children to keep up with flossing daily and make sure they’re able to lend a helping hand when needed.
Getting an Early Start
As soon as your child has two teeth that touch, Spinnaker Pediatric Dentistry in Salem, Oregon, recommends introducing flossing to your child. The sooner they are exposed to the activity, the sooner they will be more comfortable with it. If you need a demonstration, don’t hesitate to ask our team at your next dental visit—we are more than happy to show you the proper way to floss. Give us a call today to schedule your next appointment!
