A Parents Guide to Flossing Children’s Teeth
ORAL HYGIENE HABITS FOR KIDS
Oral hygiene habits for kids begin at a young age. The earlier parents can instill good habits, the more likely a child will continue to maintain proper oral and dental hygiene habits throughout childhood and into adulthood. Brushing your child’s teeth correctly is perhaps the most important starting point for healthy, at-home oral hygiene habits, and flossing your child’s teeth correctly comes in a close second.
As dental professionals, we recognize that flossing is a habit that is often overlooked. And while dentists may sound like a broken record, flossing is an essential part of keeping your child’s mouth clean and healthy.
The Importance of Flossing Your Child’s Teeth
Why is flossing your child’s teeth important? Essentially, flossing is the process of cleaning the surface of the teeth that can’t be reached by a toothbrush. In fact, approximately 40% of the surface of the teeth can’t be reached by a toothbrush!
Throughout the day, everything your child eats and drinks leaves little bits of residue or particles on the surface of the teeth but also between the teeth. When that residue is never cleaned out, it becomes a breeding ground for yucky bacteria, which eventually becomes plaque, tartar, tooth decay and even gum disease. The use of dental floss on a daily basis removes plaque between the teeth and also just below the gumline, which helps protect teeth from tartar build up and protects soft tissues of the mouth from inflammation.
For children (just like for adults!), the use of dental floss on a daily basis helps remove food particles that can get stuck in between the teeth and just below the gumline, which in turn protects the teeth from buildup and protects the soft tissues of the mouth from inflammation. Your child’s mouth will be cleaner, his or her breath will be fresher, and you can rest easy knowing that cavities are less likely to occur.
In addition to the health benefits of flossing teeth daily, children benefit by practicing good oral hygiene habits that will be easier to maintain into the teenage and adult years. When permanent teeth come in, children who are already comfortable with a flossing routine will be much more likely to properly care for their teeth, which can prevent the need for expensive dental treatments down the road.
When to Start Flossing Your Child’s Teeth
Parents can begin flossing their child’s teeth even when only a few primary teeth have erupted. Once teeth begin to touch, parents should floss their child’s teeth on a daily basis, and for most children, this can happen between the ages of two and six. At this point, parents will need to do all the work of flossing, but it is a helpful time to begin to help your child understand why flossing is important and how it is done. As your child grows in ability and responsibility, parents can then transition to help the child learn to floss independently.
Parents: Once your child begins to floss independently, please continue to supervise your child during flossing and brushing to ensure that proper care and technique is used. Bad habits are hard to break, so work with your child to develop good habits and hygiene techniques from the beginning.
How to Floss Your Child’s Teeth
When flossing your child’s teeth, follow these simple steps:
Cut off about 18 inches of floss or use a floss pick.
If using string floss, wrap the floss loosely around the middle fingers on both hands, using your thumb and index finger to hold the floss taut.
Gently slide the floss down between the teeth, being careful to curve the floss down the sides of each tooth and just below the gum line in a “c” shape so as to hug each tooth then move the floss up and down gently several times.
Repeat step 3 for each tooth until all teeth have been cleaned.
Rinse and spit (this is always the fun part for kids!).
Pro Tip: Be gentle and don’t rush. Make it a relaxing and enjoyable experience for both parent and child by choosing an unhurried time of day.
Free Printable Daily Flossing Chart For Kids
Help your child develop health habits by downloading and printing “I Floss Daily" chart using the button below. Track and celebrate your child’s oral and dental hygiene habits to help build your child build a healthy foundation for a happy, confident smile.
If you have any questions about flossing your child’s teeth or helping your child develop healthy oral and dental hygiene habits, please feel free to ask Dr. Caple at your child’s next dental appointment. As a pediatric dentist serving patients in Northwest Arkansas for over 27 years, Dr. Brent Caple enjoys helping children build a healthy foundation for a lifetime of oral and dental health.