Flossing is a regular, necessary part of dental care. It helps you avoid dental issues such as cavities, decay, and gum disease. Many adults find it a challenge, so having a little one floss can seem close to impossible. If you’re wondering about when to instruct your child to start using floss before they brush, here are some dentist-recommended tips to guide you through the process.

Your Guide to Flossing for Children

Why Should Everyone Floss?

Flossing removes food particles and plaque from between the teeth, preventing cavities and decay. It cleans areas where the brush can’t reach, which makes up to 40% of the mouth. Flossing also helps you avoid gingivitis, or inflammation of the gums, a condition that affects half of all adult Americans and can lead to tooth loss.

When Should a Child Begin Flossing?

Begin flossing your kid’s teeth when they are about two years old, or whenever baby teeth start to move close together. Clean baby teeth contribute to healthy permanent teeth, so by establishing this dental care habit early on, you’re ensuring your child’s adult teeth develop without issue. You may need to help them floss until they can do it themselves, which usually happens around the age of ten. 

What’s the Best Way to Floss?

Use a soft, flexible dental tape or playful flossing sticks twice a day to clean your child’s teeth while they’re still very young. This will make the process fun and comfortable for little ones.

In terms of technique, gently guide the string between teeth, making a C-shape over the side of each tooth to clean the gums. They may bleed a little at first as the food particles are removed, which is normal. As children get older, you can brush and floss with them, making dental care a fun family routine.

For pediatric dental care for children of all ages, visit Alaska Dentistry for Kids in Anchorage, AK. Dr. Chris Coplin and his friendly staff offer full-service dentistry for little ones, including emergency and special needs dentistry and procedures for lip and tongue ties. They were voted the best Anchorage dentist in 2018 and are praised by parents for their comfortable office, excellent customer service, and top-notch dental work. Visit them online to learn more about their services, or call (907) 274-2525 to make an appointment.