We all know how important daily brushing is for our children’s oral hygiene, but did you know that flossing is just as crucial for preventing cavities and gum disease, even for kids? As the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) explains, healthy baby teeth play an important role in many aspects of a child’s life, including eating, speech development, academic performance, and maintaining space for permanent teeth — just to name a few. When plaque and food bits get stuck between teeth where toothbrushes can’t reach, cavities can develop. Encouraging flossing as a regular part of your child’s daily routine can help keep their smile healthy.
When to Start Flossing
The AAPD recommends that daily flossing begin as soon as two or more teeth are too close together for a toothbrush to reach between them. It’s a good idea to help your child floss until they are able to do so independently. They may be ready to start flossing on their own around age 7 to 10.
Types of Floss
There are a few types of floss available, and you might need to experiment to find what works best for your child:
- Traditional string floss is a common and inexpensive option for flossing kids’ teeth. It involves wrapping the floss around your fingers and placing it between teeth to physically clear plaque bacteria away.
- As children begin to floss their own teeth, they may find traditional string floss challenging to manipulate with their little hands, especially as they try to clean their back teeth. In these cases, a pre-threaded floss pick may be a helpful alternative. Floss picks often come with fun designs that appeal to kids.
- Water flossers offer another option for cleaning between teeth. A water flosser uses a stream of water to clear food and plaque from between teeth. Water flossers can be beneficial for kids with braces or those who have a hard time with string floss and floss picks. With some help and supervision, many kids are able to use water flossers around age 6.
Encouraging Healthy Habits
The American Dental Association offers a few tips for helping to make both brushing and flossing fun with children. These include:
- Brush and floss together. When you floss with your child, they will not only learn by example, but will also enjoy spending quality time with you.
- Offer rewards. Things like sticker charts and positive praise can go a long way with kids.
- Create consistency. Making brushing and flossing a part of your daily routine means it becomes a natural part of your day, and won’t require as much encouragement in the long run.
If you have any questions about flossing, don’t hesitate to ask one of our pediatric dentists at your next appointment. We want to help create healthy habits that will last your child’s lifetime!
