Is Your Child Too Young to Start Flossing? What Experts Actually Say
When do I start flossing those little teeth?
It’s a tale as old as time; before you have children, you feel as though you know exactly what you’re going to do. And then, those kids come along, and you realize how much you have to run to Google for. This scenario can be true for almost anything. Should you worry about your six-month-old still waking up every two hours to eat? Should it take this long for those baby teeth to come in? Are you brushing those tiny teeth enough? And when on earth are you supposed to start flossing them?
Today, we will go over the flossing issue. It’s a very common problem! Those little teeth pop up one by one, but when are you supposed to add flossing to their daily routine? Flossing is just as important as brushing those tiny teeth, as it eradicates the bacteria hiding between them, but the timing matters.
Here’s exactly what the experts recommend.
When to Start Flossing
The experts at the American Dental Association (ADA) recommend that a parent introduce dental floss into their child’s daily routine whenever two teeth touch. The time that this happens can vary greatly from child to child. More often than not, this tends to happen between the ages of two and six.
Why It Matters
It might be tempting to stick to the toothbrush and leave the floss behind. After all, it can be difficult to get a toddler or preschooler to sit down long enough to do much of anything! We get it, but flossing their teeth is a step that really can’t be skipped. Even the fanciest toothbrush on the market can’t ensure that the bacteria are banished from between teeth. Flossing their little teeth removes that plaque and bacteria from the places that the toothbrush can’t reach. This not only helps prevent cavities between the teeth, but it also supports gum health.
How Parents Can Help
The next logical question is, “How on earth am I supposed to floss someone else’s teeth?” Take a breath. We promise you’ve got this! Just like it might have felt a little strange to brush someone else’s teeth at first, it gets easier rather fast.
Young kids need help with flossing at first. They really don’t know what they’re doing, and vital spots in their mouth can go overlooked without this help. If you have a headstrong child, this can create a bit of a power struggle at times. You can try letting them floss first, then you can finish up—just be sure to go back over all of the teeth. This process can help keep the peace and also let them be independent when possible.
Try using kid-friendly floss to help everyone get used to it. Not only do they tend to taste good, but they often come as kid-friendly flossers or floss picks. These are easier to handle and are typically in cute colors or have animal designs.
Making It a Habit
The next step is ensuring that flossing their teeth becomes a habit. This part takes a bit. Life is crazy, and you’re not just training a child to engrain the routine into their head—you’re also training yourself. Start slow, and remember that once a day is enough! Missed the flossing session in the morning? No worries, just pick it up before bed.
Sometimes, making it a fun experience for your kids can do the trick. If they get a reward or find flossing their teeth fun at all, they are much less likely to forget about it—or let you forget. Let them choose their flosser for the session! This trick is almost too simple, and it’s incredibly effective, especially for the little ones!
Play your child’s favorite music while flossing their teeth, or just reward the consistency. You can make a reward chart and have your little ones pick stickers to fill in the squares. This tactic doesn’t have to lead to expensive rewards. In fact, the reward can be anything your pocketbook wants to splurge on—it can even just be the stickers for those little ones.
You’re not alone!
The experts suggest introducing floss whenever your child has two teeth that touch together. Though adding anything else into a busy routine might feel overwhelming, rest assured that with a little persistence, you’ve got this! On those rough days, remember that flossing early helps build lifelong habits and sets your child on the track for a healthier smile that will last their lifetime.
You’re far from alone in this journey of raising kiddos with healthy teeth. Must Love Kids is happy to show you how to make flossing simple, stress-free, and effective for even the littlest smiles. Don’t be afraid to ask us for any tips or tricks at your child’s next dental cleaning!
Speaking of which, double-check your schedule to make sure that your child’s next cleaning is on the calendar! This way, we can catch any problems before they have a chance to get out of hand. If you need to schedule a visit, just hop online, and we can start the process to healthier smiles, for even the littlest kids.
