Brushing the teeth is essential to keeping them healthy, but a toothbrush won’t clean all parts of the mouth. As part of a regular oral hygiene routine, your kid's dentist will recommend your child floss once a day, every day. If your child has just started learning how to do this, here’s a guide to all you need to know about this essential dental care step so you can help them at home.

Why Is Flossing Necessary?

Over time, the bacteria in the mouth form sticky yellow plaque on all surfaces of the teeth, including the tiny spaces in between them. This plaque has to be broken up each day, or it'll harden into tartar, which can't be brushed away at home.

Tartar accumulation could lead to gum disease, which has been linked to a range of other health conditions. Tartar also contributes to tooth decay, including cavities. Flossing breaks up the plaque between and around the teeth to help prevent these issues. It also removes stuck food, which will keep your child’s breath fresh.

What Floss Options Are There?

If your child has very tightly spaced teeth, waxed floss will slip in between more easily than unwaxed options. If there are wide gaps between their teeth, choose an extra-wide floss or dental tape.

If your child doesn't like the sensation of flossing or has difficulty using the product, they can use a water pick instead. This tool produces a thin jet of water to clean between the teeth.

How Should My Child Floss?

Your kid's dentist will show them the right flossing technique, but you should still know what to look for so you can supervise them as they learn.

To start, they should use a long piece of floss, wrapping the excess around their fingers. The next step is to slide the floss into the gap between two teeth and pull it around one tooth to make a C shape. They should move the floss up and down the side of the tooth without sawing back and forth to minimize irritation. Have them repeat the process against the opposite tooth before moving to the next gap.

If you need a kid's dentist to explain the importance of flossing to your child, turn to Pediatric Dentistry of Onalaska, LLC in Wisconsin. Serving La Crosse County since 2002, Dr. Timothy Flood has over 25 years of experience in pediatric dentistry and strives to create a positive experience for your child to make all dental visits easy. Learn more about their services online or call (608) 781-9114 to schedule an appointment.