You have learned good hygiene from your parents and dentist over the years and now it’s time to pass along proper dental care practices to your children. When is it time for your child to start flossing? At 2 years old, a child’s last two molars begin to come in. Between the ages of 2 and 6 their teeth start to fit more closely together. Once the space between the teeth shrinks and the teeth begin to touch, you should start flossing your child’s teeth.
Why floss so early?
Flossing is a part of practicing good oral hygiene. Baby teeth get cavities too! When you floss your child’s teeth they are less likely to have gum infections, gum inflammation, and cavities from bacteria build up and plaque. Brushing the teeth cleans the surface, but don’t forget about in between your child’s teeth. It’s important to make a habit of flossing the baby teeth, so when their permanent teeth come in, flossing is already a natural part of their daily routine.
How to floss your child’s teeth?
Around second or third grade is when children develop the dexterity needed to begin flossing their teeth on their own. Don’t wait until they can do it on their own to start flossing! As a parent, you can floss your child’s teeth just like you would floss your own. It is okay to use floss picks or sticks. It is normal for your child’s teeth to bleed when you are first beginning to floss them. Remember to be gentle and use less force, the bleeding will eventually happen less often. Mouthwash is not a supplement for flossing. It is not recommended to that young children, under the age of 7, use mouthwash because they haven’t fully grasped the concept of not swallowing it yet.
Kids love to do what their parents are doing. If you are practicing good oral hygiene and flossing every night they will more likely be eager to follow. Improve your child’s dental health when they are young so they will continue to have impeccable dental health throughout their future. To prevent gum diseases, cavities, and large dentist bills start flossing their baby teeth when they start to touch! Keep a healthy, beautiful smile on your baby’s face and start flossing their teeth.