If there’s one thing most people are guilty of, it’s not flossing enough. Can you already hear the sound of disappointment in your dentist’s voice? Surely you don’t want to pass your bad habits on to your little ones! Flossing should be happening as soon as two teeth touch, which for some youngsters is before their first birthday! While you should be flossing for your child for the early years, once they’re able to learn the ropes, show them how flossing is easy!
First: Have your child brush their teeth, as there will be less buildup in the crevices and gums.
Second: Choose your weapon. Since technology has come a long way, you don’t have to just use the traditional floss on a roll. Fun, colorful dental flossers are an amazing alternative because they don’t require both hands!
If your child is using traditional floss, show them how much string to use and how to break it off.
Third: If you are using a flosser, make sure they place it between their index finger and thumb so it is secure.
If you are using the string, wrap it around your index fingers, to show them, and then work with them so they get the basic idea.
Forth: Start carving in and out of the gaps between teeth in a gentle “C” shape movement. Make sure it’s not just going up and down, since that won’t catch all that nasty plaque that might be stuck.
Fifth: Repeat with all teeth!
See that’s not so bad, right? If your child is old enough to start using mouthwash, they can also rinse after flossing to freshen the breath. It’s common to see a little blood from the tender gums, which is a sign you need to floss more! I think we can all agree, that is true!
Teach Your Child to Floss in 5 Steps!
