When should your children start flossing?
Your child should begin flossing as soon as they have two teeth that touch one another, which is usually around the age of 2 or 3. Once this happens, you should floss your child’s teeth until they are old enough to do so effectively on their own. Typically, kids are able to floss their own teeth effectively between 7-10 years old.
How often should my child floss?
Your child should floss at least once a day for 2-3 minutes. We recommend teaching them to floss every time they brush so two times a day is even better!
The importance of flossing
Flossing is necessary to remove food particles and plaque that has accumulated between teeth. Flossing also helps polish the sides of the teeth and prevents tartar which is the leading cause of tooth decay. Once decay sets in, your child may need fillings or crowns. Flossing also helps fend off bad breath! Teach your child that brushing their teeth cleans the front and back of their teeth, and that flossing cleans the sides. So, doing both is a job well done.
It may take a little time to master flossing
Practice makes perfect, and in this case, it’s important to take time every night helping your child master the skill. The technique you use will depend on the type of dental floss that you and your child prefer. We are happy to give you a demonstration in our office!
How to get your child excited about flossing
Teaching your kids to floss is one thing, but getting them excited about it is another challenge. Here are some tips to help create excitement around the chore.
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Make flossing a family activity – children love a great example so brush your teeth alongside your little ones and let them floss your teeth. If you haven’t noticed kids love imitating you! Or to make it even more fun (and messy) let them brush your teeth while you brush theirs.
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Take them shopping – let them choose their own toothbrush, floss, and toothpaste. This will help them to personalize the activity and make it more interesting.
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Make it a game – see how many “bad guys” they can floss out of their mouth every night!
Not sure about the proper way to floss your child’s teeth? Contact us and we’ll gladly show you the ropes.
We all know flossing is important. But you may have questions about flossing your child’s teeth, like how often, or when to start? Here’s a quick read on everything you need to know about your children flossing their teeth!
