Blog
You’ve at almost every dentist visit you can remember: floss more. While we as adults sometimes find it hard to make the time or muster up the energy to do it, we should at least teach our little ones that it’s a healthy habit. So how do you get your kids to floss? We came up with some ideas to try at home, so you can start today!
First off, if your child’s teeth are developed enough to where they are touching, then it’s time to floss! Even baby teeth need to be properly cared for in order for healthy adult ones to move in, and good habits start early! So for those first few years, you will need to floss your child’s teeth until they’re about age 9, when coordination is better.
Once kids get the idea of how to floss, they can easily pick up the habit. Many parents use kid-friendly “flossers” which are little (often U-shaped) plastic devices with a piece of floss attached, so there is no wrapping string around a finger, or messiness with the traditional kind. The easier it is, the more likely that they will actually do it—I’m sure even us parents can attest to that.
So how do you get your kids to floss? You could try to offer some incentive: whether it’s a treat at the end of the week for 7-days of flossing, or a playing a game while the child flosses; children love rewards. Some parents tell their children funny or adventurous stories while their little ones floss, or count to 30 with them in front of a mirror.
Making flossing fun can help develop a pattern, so that they can continue it for years to come without any need for fairytales or supervision. Even just brushing and flossing alongside your child can set a good example, plus, it’s good for you too!
