When it comes to flossing, the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that you floss at least once a day to help remove plaque from the areas between your teeth which your toothbrush may not be able to reach. Plaque which is not removed by brushing can eventually harden, cause cavities and gum disease. Everybody needs to floss but at what age do you start?
You start flossing as soon as you have two teeth touching each other. Right away, any parent would have an issue with this recommendation. First, Most children under the age of 10 will not have the manual dexterity to floss properly. Second, it is a rare child who could sit still for any length of time never mind while you put a string and fingers into their mouth. But, if you can turn flossing into a fun ritual, it may become a bonding moment.
Let your youngster participate. He or she will love pulling the string from the box and cutting it on the little edge. Congratulate them on how well they did. Show them how to make the string taut. Hunt the tooth forest and look for intruders. Laugh as you discover a lost carrot. Do not worry about how well their teeth are being flossed. What is most important is that they get used to flossing.
Be consistent. If you are sporadic in flossing your toddler’s teeth, you may be sending the message that flossing is not as important as brushing. As long as you make this a daily ritual, you will have established flossing as part of their daily oral hygiene.
As always, consult our Worcester, Uxbridge or Taunton Dentists if you have any questions or require additional information. Our dentists want the best for you and your growing family.
Happy Flossing.
