When should kids start flossing?
Flossing is an important part of keeping your mouth healthy but when is the right time for kids to start? With brushing teeth, parents and children can start the habit as soon as a child grows in multiple baby teeth. However, with flossing, it’s not necessary to begin until their teeth start to fit closely together.
Most children will be able to start flossing between the ages of two and six. Parents should floss for children before they try it on their own. Even after your child is physically capable of flossing their own teeth, you should continue to supervise and help out until they are around the age of 10 so that you can be sure they are flossing thoroughly and getting the areas between each tooth every time they floss.
Bleeding when flossing:
You may notice your child’s gums bleeding when you floss for them. No need to panic; a little bit of bleeding at the beginning of a flossing habit is totally normal. This can also happen in adults who start flossing their teeth regularly for the first time. If your child’s gums bleed when you floss for them, this should stop happening after you’ve been flossing regularly for several days, as their gums become stronger and healthier.
If your child’s gums are still bleeding after a week of starting a flossing habit, contact your dentists to check and make sure everything is okay. You may simply need to floss more gently, but persistent gum bleeding could also be a sign of gingivitis, which should be checked by a dental professional.
Tips to make flossing easier:
If you are using traditional dental floss to floss your child’s teeth, you may have difficulty reaching between each tooth effectively since their mouths and teeth very small. If you’re able to effectively use traditional floss for your child’s teeth, teach them the same flossing techniques adults use when they are old enough to start picking it up on their own. You can show them how to wrap the floss firmly around their fingers and pull it tight so that it is more effective in removing plaque and food particles from their mouth.
You may want to consider selecting a wider, flatter dental tape for flossing your child’s teeth than you would for your own. Since kids are still growing in all of their teeth and their baby teeth will eventually be replaced by permanent ones, baby teeth tend to be smaller and farther apart than adult teeth. A flatter dental floss will help your child more effectively clean the spaces between their teeth than they would with a floss that has a finer width.
Praising your child for doing a good job is another motivator. Using rewards like colorful stickers may help encourage those harder-to-motivate kids.
Floss picks for kids:
Consider buying some floss picks if you are struggling with traditional floss. This will make it much easier to reach between your child’s teeth effectively, and they are also much easier for children to use on their own when they learn to floss. Additionally, individual floss picks come in fun shapes and colors that may make your child more interested in nightly flossing!
These tips should help start you and your child out on the right foot to set up a lifelong flossing habit to keep their mouth healthy! If you have any questions or would like to consult with a dentist, please contact our office today.
Starting and practicing good habits at a young age can help keep their teeth and gums healthy for decades to come.
