Daily flossing is just as important to tooth and gum health as twice daily brushing and seeing a dentist regularly. Floss gets in between the teeth and gums where toothbrushes can’t reach to remove food particles and plaque. However, kids sometimes don’t understand the how or why of this essential practice, in which case, use this guide to promote proper flossing.

The Right Way to Floss

When teaching your children how to floss correctly, lead by example. Have them watch as you break off about 18 inches of string and wind it around both of your middle fingers, leaving two inches of floss between your thumb and pointer finger. Move the floss gently between your teeth. Make a C-shape as you move the floss up under the gumline, and slide it back and forth. Repeat these steps, ensuring you use clean floss for every tooth.

Explain to your children that using dirty floss can leave bacteria on their teeth, and emphasize the importance of gentle flossing to prevent gum damage. Ask your children if they have any questions or want additional demonstrations before using the floss themselves.

Encouraging Healthy Flossing

Make flossing fun for your children with kid-friendly products. Let them choose their flossers to help them feel in control of their dental health, such as colorful flossing sticks, floss with animal-shaped dispensers, or filaments in fun bubble gum flavors.

Watch videos for kids about flossing, and put on favorite songs while you floss as a family. Get help from your pediatric dentist as well to help explain what happens when your child doesn’t floss in a kid-friendly way.

The pediatric dentist at Honolulu Keiki Dental is here to assist your flossing education efforts. Voted the best pediatric dentist in Hawaii since 2009, Dr. Dean T. Sueda, DDS, MS, offers a full suite of services, including preventative, emergency, and restorative dentistry as well as orthodontics. Call (808) 944-1603 today to schedule an appointment, or visit the dentist online for new patient information.