How to Help Your Kids Get the Most Out of Flossing

Protecting your child’s teeth starts young, even before they have teeth. As they grow a mouthful of chompers, good oral hygiene becomes even more important. Starting your kids young with healthy dental hygiene habits helps set them up for a lifetime of healthier teeth. Flossing is an important part of an oral health routine, so how do you help your kids get the most out of it?

Use the Proper Technique

If flossing is going to be beneficial, it needs to be done properly. Improper flossing can cause damage, so you may need to take an active role in flossing your children’s teeth until they’re able to do it correctly themselves. You’ll need 1 ½ to 2 feet of floss. Wrap most of it around one finger on each hand, leaving an inch or two to floss a tooth. You’ll need to use a new section of floss for each tooth. Pulling it taut, gently move the floss up and down the side of your tooth, being careful of your gums. When you reach the bottom of your tooth, make a c-shape so the floss can get between your tooth and gum to get a more thorough cleaning.

Take the Time

Flossing takes time and shouldn’t be rushed. It needs to be thorough if it’s going to be effective. Flossing will require more time if you have braces. Fortunately, by the time your child is wearing braces, he or she should be old enough to be able to do this themselves. Proper flossing with braces can take 10-15 minutes since extra care will need to be taken with the braces. Your child may find a water flosser or floss threader especially helpful.

Set the Example

When kids are little, they like to copy what they see older people doing. You can help them create healthy dental habits and encourage them to floss their teeth simply by doing it yourself. If it’s a normal part of your dental routine, they will expect it to be a normal part of theirs. Make sure you do it with a good attitude. Children are incredibly observant and will notice if it’s something you don’t want to do. If they think it’s no fun, what makes you think they’ll want to do it themselves?

Flossing plays an important role in protecting the health of your child’s teeth. It’s important that they use proper flossing techniques. While it may be difficult, encourage children to take the time they need to do a good job. Take advantage of their desire to be more like you and set a good example for them by keeping up your flossing habits. This will help you protect your child’s teeth for years, even decades to come.

Read this next: How to Give Your Children a Good Start in Life