It’s no secret that flossing is an important part of the daily oral hygiene routine. Young children have teeth that are still developing and may need to be treated more sensitively. So, how do you know when it’s time for your kids to start flossing? Is it ever too early to start flossing? Our friendly staff members at Dental Care of Chino Hills offer plenty of resources for your young ones and their dental health.
Follow our tips below to determine whether your child is too young or just the right age to start flossing!
When Should Kids Start Flossing?
Medical professionals state that you can start flossing your child’s teeth as soon as they have two teeth that start to touch. This can happen anywhere from age two to age six. Of course, every child is different, and oral health should always be paid close attention to during these formative years.
Keep in mind that these are the child’s baby teeth, and while they do fall out and become replaced with adult teeth over time, they should still be taken care of. Maintaining proper oral hygiene on your child’s baby teeth will ensure that their permanent teeth will grow in without issue.
Start the Habit Early
The earlier your kids start flossing, the more likely they are to stick with it. As a parent, you should help your child floss their teeth until they are old enough to learn how to do it on their own. This may take some time and patience, which is all the more reason to get them started as early as possible.
Oral-B suggests that the habit of flossing should become routine by the time your child’s permanent teeth grow in. That way, it won’t be as difficult to help them maintain their good health.
Flossing Tips for Your Kids
You’re going to have to floss your child’s teeth for them for a little while until they can do it all on their own. Follow these tips for an easy way to get into flossing:
- Get a foot and a half of floss and wrap each end into circles around your fingers. You can even roll the floss around your child’s finger if you are trying to teach them how to floss on their own.
- Slowly and gently, slide the floss rope in between your child’s teeth. Use your thumb and finger to keep the floss tight like a rope. Make sure it doesn’t “snap” into the space between the teeth because this can damage the gums.
- The floss should make a C shape on each tooth. This is your cue to move it up and down in between the teeth, making sure to clean under the gums as well. Each tooth requires a new roll of floss, so the process stays clean the whole time.
You don’t need to worry about special floss or products for your child. Simply work with any regular floss. If your child is having a hard time getting used to it, you can try floss picks. These are tiny bits of floss attached to a handle which makes it much easier to floss each tooth individually.
A little bit of bleeding is normal for the first or second time flossing. With time and age, your kids will learn to adopt flossing as a regular daily habit.
Check Your Child’s Oral Health Today
Your child should start seeing the dentist as soon as their teeth start growing in. It’s important to develop a habit of oral hygiene as early as possible, so they can start protecting their teeth from decay and cavities. If you want to schedule an appointment with our family-friendly staff and certified dentists, you can contact us online or give us a call at (909) 310-2051 to get started. We look forward to meeting you and your little one!