Brushing twice a day is an essential part of maintaining good oral hygiene. Flossing is also needed on a daily basis to remove plaque and bacteria build-up. Once children have two teeth that are touching, a toothbrush alone is no longer suitable for cleaning and you should begin flossing your child’s teeth.
For children, flossing might be uncomfortable at first. Over time their gums will gain strength and become less sensitive which leads to a happy healthy smile.
Why is flossing your child’s teeth so important? Let’s discuss some of the main points!
• It helps minimize plaque which is the leading cause of tooth decay.
• It helps to control bad breath.
• It helps instill the good habit of flossing.
• It helps the tooth surface be polished.
• It helps reach the areas of the tooth that a toothbrush can’t reach.
To get started, there are a few tips to make easing into flossing your children’s teeth easier:
• Try floss picks if using regular floss is causing trouble.
• If your child is having trouble understanding how to floss, have them watch you do it!
• Use a soft floss that won’t hurt your child’s gums.
• Explain to your child how flossing helps prevent cavities and for older kids remind them how it helps prevent halitosis.
As a parent, bringing out floss each day will set a great example for kids to look up to and doing so will bring great opportunities to discuss and reinforce good oral health habits. It can be tricky to get your child to floss, especially because only 30% of adults in America floss once a day. But incorporating flossing from a young age will help build value and consistency with maintaining a healthy oral hygiene routine.
If you need help incorporating flossing into your daily routine, make an appointment today by Calling or Texting us!