When Should Children Begin Flossing?
You should start flossing your children's teeth even when they have only their baby (primary) teeth. Once a child's teeth start to fit closely together, usually between the ages of two and six, parents should start to get their children in the habit of flossing daily. As they develop dexterity, you can help them learn to floss. Children usually develop the ability to floss on their own around the age of 10.
To stress the importance of flossing, do it for them regularly until they're able to do it themselves. This will help them develop a good habit of flossing while they still have their baby teeth so that when their permanent teeth come in, they already have flossing worked into their daily oral routine. Use floss that is soft and flexible so that it doesn't hurt their teeth and is comfortable on their gums.
How Can I Help My Child Learn to Floss?
Try tying the floss into small circles on either end of the strand so that your child's fingers can easily fit in. This will help them get a grip on the floss in the early stages before they learn how to hold it on their own. Next, have your child follow these basic flossing steps:
- Take about 18 inches of floss and loosely wrap most of it around each middle finger leaving an inch of floss between.
- Gently slide it down between your teeth with your thumb and index fingers holding the floss taut. Be careful not to snap it down on your gums.
- Curve the floss around each tooth in a "C" shape and gently move it up and down the sides of each tooth, including under the gum line. Unroll a new section of floss as your move from tooth to tooth.
Don't worry if your child's gums bleed at first – this is quite common. After a few days of flossing, the bleeding should stop as their gums become healthier. But if the bleeding persists, consult your dentist.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/Flossing-When-Youre-Young
Oral care is important for children of all ages, including teens, who may be the least likely to brush and floss regularly due to less parental supervision and their own busy schedules. But good oral hygiene is important for teens for several reasons:
- At this time, teenagers are acquiring their last permanent teeth and some are acquiring wisdom teeth. Teeth that have just erupted (come through the gums) are especially susceptible to plaque and decay, so twice-daily tooth brushing and daily flossing is important.
- Teens are following their own timetables. Teens are taking more responsibility for their own diet and nutrition habits, and they may be eating at all hours and less likely to adhere to the bedtime brushing and flossing routine that might have worked when they were younger.
Rather than trying to impose a routine that fits a younger child's schedule, help your teen adapt a healthy oral care routine to suit their life. Are they more likely to floss right before they leave for school in the morning than before they go to bed at night? Fine. Do they prefer a mint floss to contribute to fresh breath or a regular floss or spongy floss? Encourage them to keep floss in a purse or gym bag and remind them how a healthy smile and fresh breath can make anyone more attractive.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/Flossing-When-Youre-Young
To get kids into the habit of daily flossing as part of a good oral care routine, parents need to make flossing fun and easy. Some kids complain, "Flossing hurts my gums," but that need not be the case. Kid-friendly flossers are designed for children's small mouths and sensitive gums. Using age-appropriate products can help young children have a positive association with oral health and get them accustomed to daily flossing.
Here are some other tips for parents to help teach good oral care habits:
- Monitor children younger than 8 years old to make sure they use no more than a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste when brushing their teeth. And be sure that they spit out the toothpaste rather than swallowing it when they're done brushing.
- Make oral care a family event. Brush and floss your own teeth at the same time as your child. You are setting a good example and demonstrating the correct techniques for brushing and flossing.
- Buy the right size. Choose a toothbrush that is the right size and design for your child's level of development. Toothbrushes for toddlers have wide, easy-to-grip handles, small, narrow heads and soft bristles. Toothbrushes for older children have slightly longer handles to reflect an older child's improved coordination and larger heads to accommodate growing mouths and teeth.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/Flossing-When-Youre-Young
If your children aren't enthusiastic about flossing, remind them that floss with a mint flavor can not only enhance their smiles by removing potentially embarrassing food pieces, but it can also help promote fresh breath, which might get them motivated to do their flossing before school.
Adults can appreciate flavored floss, too. If you see students, clients or patients throughout the day with little time for oral care until you get home at night, a flavored floss may be just what you need after lunch. And if you don't want the mint in your floss to clash with the mint in your toothpaste, keep mint flavor floss in your desk for midday dental care and use an unflavored floss with your toothpaste of choice as part of your evening oral care routine.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/Flossing-When-Youre-Young
