Flossing is integral to maintaining good dental hygiene. It plays an important role in a routine that prioritizes oral health. While brushing your teeth is crucial, introducing flossing as a daily habit earlier on helps maintain dental hygiene and avoid problems in later years. Regular home care, such as flossing, brushing, etc., can help prevent gum disease, halitosis and improve the quality of someone’s life. So, when should kids start flossing their teeth?
When should kids start flossing?
Kids should start flossing as soon as their teeth begin to fit closely together. While there is no set age for kids to start flossing, it only becomes necessary once two of their teeth begin to touch. However, there are several considerations to keep in mind when incorporating flossing into your child’s dental hygiene routine.
Starting to floss
In the beginning, your child will rely on you to floss their teeth, so it is important to demonstrate healthy flossing habits they can emulate later. The habits your child learns from you are likely ones that will influence their own routine when they begin to floss by themselves and therefore are very important to their future oral health.
How should I floss my child’s teeth?
When flossing your child’s teeth, first cut approximately 18 inches of floss, wrap the floss around each of your middle fingers and then move the floss between their teeth in an up and down motion below the gumline. While this is one way to floss your child’s teeth, an experienced dentist can go through other methods and help you find what is the best method of flossing for you and your child.
Bleeding gums
While the sight of bleeding gums can be frightening for both you and your child, it is not something to be alarmed about and some bleeding at the start is, in fact, completely normal. After beginning to floss regularly, your child’s teeth will become healthier as well as less sensitive, and the bleeding should eventually stop. However, if the bleeding continues after the first week, contact a dentist to make sure everything is alright. While it may simply mean you need to floss more gently, it could also indicate other problems, such as gingivitis.
Types of dental floss
It is important to consider the different needs children have when flossing compared to adults. Their smaller teeth and mouth size make wider, flatter dental floss preferable. Wide dental floss is a more effective alternative to regular thin floss for teeth that are set farther apart than those of a typical adult. Floss picks are also fun alternatives that may be more appealing for a kid due to their varying shapes, flavors and colors. Floss picks also come with a pre-cut strand of floss they can use with only one hand, making the process much simpler.
How often should kids floss?
Kids should aim to floss at least once a day before bedtime. Doing so can help avoid plaque buildup the next morning. Flossing regularly also eliminates the need for costly treatment later in life by promoting effective preventive oral healthcare.
Consulting a professional
While your child may show a disinterest in flossing at first, it is important to make it a habit early on. Their initial discomfort should dissipate as flossing becomes a regular part of their daily schedule. By establishing and maintaining a good routine early on, you help them avoid various problems that may emerge from poor dental hygiene later in their life.
If you have any questions about your child’s flossing habits, an appointment with Horizon Dental Care can provide you with more information and guidance on how to support your child on their oral healthcare journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should kids start flossing?
Kids should begin flossing once two of their teeth begin to touch.
Is it normal for my child’s teeth to bleed when flossing?
No, while a little bleeding when first beginning to floss is expected, bleeding that continues after the first week is a cause for concern.
Why are my child’s gums bleeding after flossing?
While it is possible the bleeding may just be due to flossing too roughly, it may also be an indication of gingivitis.
What kind of floss should children use?
Wide, flat dental floss and floss picks are alternatives for children that may prove more effective and simpler to use.
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