Instilling Daily Flossing Habit in Kids
Daily flossing is not a habit that comes as easy for most people as daily brushing does. It often seems more complicated and time consuming and, for those who rarely engage in the practice, it can be uncomfortable at first. For this reason, it is important to teach your children the value of flossing and instill the habit at a very young age. As soon as your child has two teeth that have emerged side by side, you can begin showing them how to floss and help them develop the habit as part of their daily dental care routine. Use these tips to make teaching your child about flossing simple and fun.
Establish a complete dental care routine with your child early in life. You can begin teaching your child about proper dental care before their first tooth emerges and introduce each tool in the process as their teeth begin to emerge. You can start teaching your child about flossing as soon as two teeth have emerged side by side. In the beginning, floss picks and sticks may make the experience easier, but you can switch to string floss as your child grows. Continue to monitor and assist their development and by the age of eight years old, your child should be capable of completing the flossing routine without your assistance, and value the experience as well.
Flossing is an important part of maintaining dental health. Food can become trapped between teeth and in crevices that a toothbrush simply cannot reach. Flossing also aids the flow of fluoride from toothpaste and mouthwash between the teeth, when performed before brushing.
Once-daily flossing, for approximately two minutes, is recommended. Like brushing, the goal is to work your way around the mouth from back to front on the top, bottom, left, and right. Your dentist in Haverford can offer guidance on how to floss properly and the best dental flosses for kids.
Steps to Teaching Your Child to Floss
- Let your child pick out their dental floss. Much like toothbrushes and toothpastes for kids, dental floss comes in a variety of flavors and colors your child will enjoy, making flossing more fun.
- Cut off approximately 18 inches of floss for your child during their morning or evening brushing routine.
- Have your child wrap the floss ends around their middle and index fingers on each hand.
Have your child guide the floss gently between their teeth moving from back to front working all the way around the mouth, top and bottom. Ensure that they are flossing between the gum line and on the sides of each tooth.
To learn about our family dentistry practice in Haverford, call Gentle Dental of Haverford today at (610) 572-1248 or make an appointment.
Gentle Dental offers affordable family dentistry and gentle, compassionate dental care in Haverford. With 14 affiliated practices in the Greater Philadelphia area, our offices are conveniently located with extended hours to meet your needs. At Gentle Dental of Haverford, we provide most dental services, from basic preventative care and general dentistry to specialized procedures and complete dental reconstruction. We accept most dental insurance plans and offer affordable financial solutions for any budget. Patient satisfaction is our top priority and we strive to provide the exceptional, affordable dental care and personal touch that lead to lasting relationships. A smiling patient is our greatest reward and we look forward to keeping those smiles healthy, beautiful, and bright. Discover an affordable dentist who truly cares at Gentle Dental of Haverford.
