You know the saying, ‘only floss the ones you want to keep.’ It is important for children to learn good dental hygiene and to practice it when they are young. Here are some tips for making flossing fun and easy for kids of all ages.
Make it part of a Regular Routine
The Canadian Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth in the morning and in the evening and flossing once a day. You should start flossing your child’s teeth as soon as they have two teeth that are close together.
Get your kids in the habit of brushing and flossing everyday. Most kids thrive on a routine and it will give them confidence if they know what to expect. You will have to help them do it at first, and show them how to hold the brush correctly, but soon they’ll get in the habit, and be able to do it themselves.
Make it Fun
Taking care of your child’s teeth don’t have to be a battle or a boring task. Make the dental hygiene part of a game you play with your child. Pretend you can see bits of treasure in their teeth – ‘oh, I see some gold behind that tooth, I better floss it out.’ This goes in hand with finding the right dentist; be sure to seek out the Dentist in Turlock for urgent dental care or check-ups.
There are also lots of fun toothbrushes and floss options for kids. Let your child choose a toothbrush and floss featuring their favorite cartoon character. Some toothbrushes come with flashing lights and music that tell you when the two minute brushing time is up. Use these to help time your flossing as well.
Think of flossing time as bonding time and a chance to connect with your little one. Pick a time when your child is calmest; getting ready for bed or before storytime.
Get them to lie with their head in your lap while you gently floss their teeth. Most kids will love this extra special attention.
Get Some Kid-Friendly Floss
There are lots of kid-friendly versions of floss out there. Find some that come in fun fruity flavors like mango or strawberry that your child will enjoy. You can also find fun shaped flossers that look like different animals and dinosaurs.
There are some flossing tools that are pre-threaded with floss or floss holders that can make it easier for your little one to grip and get between their teeth. It can also be easier for caregivers to maneuver between little one’s teeth.
The Family that Flosses Together…..
Children love to imitate the adults around them. Set a good example by letting your child see you brush and floss your teeth. You can show them how to do it correctly and even ask them to help you with your teeth.
Get a Flossing Lesson from Your Dentist
You can ask a family dentist like Clearbrook Dental for a quick lesson on the best technique for flossing your little one’s teeth. They can even show your child how to correctly hold the floss themselves if they want to give it a try.
How to Floss:
- Get your child to lie down on the floor or on their bed with their head in your lap.
- Take a piece of floss about the length of your forearm.
- Wrap the floss around your middle fingers, leaving a gap of about 2 inches between them.
- Use your index fingers to gently slide the floss between your child’s teeth and down below the gums.
- Wrap the floss into a ‘C’ shape around the tooth, and gently wipe the floss up and down the tooth a few times.
- Be sure to floss both sides of the tooth, pay extra attention to the back teeth, and don’t forget the back of the molars.
In addition, it is highly recommended for your children to try invisalign in Oshawa. If they have traditional braces, they may have to endure it until the end of their treatment. With Invisalign, your child will only wear the aligner for 20 hours. This allows them to take out their aligners when flossing.
By making flossing a fun bonding time between you and your little one, you can help them learn good dental habits and make sure they keep those healthy smiles for years to come.
