While it is very important for adults to floss their teeth, it is equally as important for children to floss as well. The earlier you teach your child to floss, the better their oral health will be. It is not as difficult for children to learn to floss as you may think.
There are dental floss children on the market, as well as mouthwash for children, which makes flossing simple. You can easily teach your child in five easy steps.
Step 1- Brush
You should teach your child to brush their teeth before flossing. When their teeth are brushed, there will be less buildup between the teeth and gums. It is important to make sure that they brush well, for at least two minutes. After brushing, they should rinse thoroughly.
Step 2- Choose Dental Floss Children
Have your child look at the types of floss, which are available, and have them choose the one which they want to try. Most children find floss with a handle easier to manipulate. You can find this type of floss in fun, bright colors which make flossing more fun. If your child chooses this type of flosser, make sure that you show them how to hold it properly. If your child chooses to go with traditional string floss, let them know that it comes in flavors, making flossing taste great. You should also show them how much floss they will need to get the job done. It is best to let your child try both, deciding for themselves, which type works best for them.
Step 3- Teach Them the “C” Shape
When teaching your child how to floss, you should teach them to do so in a “C” shape movement. If they simply use an up and down motion, it will not remove all of the plaque which is stuck on the sides of the teeth. This plaque can cause cavities.
Step 4- Supervise
It is a good idea to supervise your child for the first few times that they floss. It is important that they get in between all of their teeth. While supervising, you can teach them a flossing routine. They can learn a method to get all of the teeth, a method which they will likely use for the rest of their lives. This is why it is so important to teach them a proper method from the very beginning.
Step 5- Rinse With a Child Safe Mouthwash
When your child has finished flossing, you should teach them to rinse with a mouthwash which is safe for children. While you can teach them not to swallow the mouthwash, you cannot always be sure that they won’t. Because they are young, and do not understand that it is not healthy to swallow the mouthwash, you should find an alcohol free brand which is made for children. These types of mouthwash taste better for children, and make it easy for the child to measure the amount that they need.
Instilling the need to floss in your child’s daily oral health routine has excellent benefits which can last a lifetime. While they are children, they may forget to floss, or may be too lazy. It is important to keep on your child, making sure that they are actually flossing when they say that they are. Proper oral health routines can prevent cavities, gum disease, and keep your child’s teeth healthy, therefore, dental floss children is very important.
