Pediatric dentists often discuss at-home dental care with parents since it’s common for little ones to resist the essential tasks of brushing and flossing. Establishing a healthy routine early on will promote good habits your child will carry into adulthood. If your child is struggling to floss regularly, here are some ways to get them excited about the process. 

How to Make Flossing More Appealing to Children

1. Choose Supplies Together

Allow your child to take ownership and express their unique style by choosing their dental care tools. At the store, allow your little one to pick out a toothbrush and floss brand that appeals to them, so they’ll look forward to using their supplies at home. 

2. Create a Flossing Calendar

Celebrating and rewarding good behavior will motivate your child to maintain their oral hygiene between visits to the pediatric dentist. To encourage flossing, create an interactive chart or calendar you can keep in the bathroom. After they brush and floss, let them check the calendar box or place a colorful sticker on the board. They’ll look forward to marking their progress in this visible way.

3. Establish a Fun Dental Care Routine

Instead of looking at dental care as a chore, frame the ritual of brushing and flossing every day as a fun family activity. Let your children choose a song to listen to while you complete the task together, take silly photos, or take turns telling stories as each member of the family completes their oral hygiene process. 

In addition to daily hygiene practices, comprehensive dental care for kids involves regular visits to the pediatric dentist. If it’s time for a cleaning and exam for your child, bring them to Pedodontic Associates. With locations on Oahu and Maui and over 25 years of experience, their friendly team focuses on educating parents and children on preventative care for lifelong oral health. Schedule an appointment today by calling (808) 735-1733 for Honolulu, (808) 487-7933 for Aiea, or (808) 877-0066 for Kahului. For more information on their services, visit their website.