As adults, we realize the need of flossing our teeth on a regular basis in addition to cleaning them. This is also critical for our children’s future. Instilling the habit of flossing in young children is just as important as training them to clean their teeth because brushing alone will not remove plaque and the dangerous bacteria that live inside. Regular flossing, on the other hand, removes plaque and food particles that become trapped between the teeth and can lead to periodontal disease, poor breath, and dental cavities. Developing a flossing practice early on can set them up for improved dental health in the future, which can result in significant financial savings, the avoidance of tooth discomfort, and the development of other oral health concerns. How do you persuade your child to floss when they would rather be doing anything else? Here are some suggestions to help your child realize that flossing can be fun!

Teach your child the significance of flossing

Brushing your teeth correctly and consistently helps to remove the bulk of dental plaque. Brushing alone, however, is inefficient at eliminating plaque that has become stuck in places that a toothbrush cannot reach. This covers the gaps between teeth as well as the area beneath the gums. Flossing is useful in this situation. Flossing eliminates food material that has been lodged between teeth. This material serves as a breeding ground for bacteria and leads to plaque development. Make sure your youngster understands the consequences of not flossing, which include the following:

1. Bad Breath (Halitosis)
2. Excessive Plaque and Cavities
3. Bleeding Gums and Gum Disease

Discuss the significance of flossing in preventing these dental issues with your kid. If plaque is not removed, it damages not just the teeth but also the gum tissue, which can lead to significant issues later on. Brushing and flossing twice daily is the most effective way to avoid gum disease, according to the American Academy of Periodontology (which focuses on gum health), yet only around 15% of Americans floss consistently. It is past time to change such numbers by getting kids started on the right track.

Flossing is just as essential as brushing, according to the majority of dentists. It is, however, a more challenging habit to develop, in part because parents typically have a negative perception of flossing. Your child’s teeth, like yours, should be cleaned and flossed on a regular basis. An excellent oral hygiene program can not only help keep your child’s teeth healthy and cavity-free, but it can also help maintain healthy gums. Teach your child how to properly care for his or her teeth in order to avoid cavities and toothaches. Flossing is actually quite enjoyable once you’ve acquired the habit, and it’s critical to convey this to your children.

You may also suggest that the dentist teach your child on the significance of flossing at one of your child’s routine dental visits. Pediatric dentists are competent at conveying difficult topics to children and are likely to do a better job than parents.

These Tips Can Make Flossing Fun For Kids

Flossing isn’t always pleasurable, but it doesn’t have to be regarded as a duty! Making flossing fun for your child can help them acquire the habit. You can help your child develop great oral hygiene habits that will last a lifetime if you have patience, time, and dedication. The following are some ideas and suggestions for convincing your child to floss on a regular basis:

• Floss with your child or as a family

You can’t expect your child to develop good dental hygiene if they don’t understand what it entails. Floss with your child if you want them to grasp the importance of flossing. Brushing and flossing twice daily should become a family ritual because it is always more enjoyable and motivating to complete difficult tasks with another person. This will also guarantee that you stick to your unique flossing practice.

• Make Flossing a Game to Improve Understanding

Create a simple game or exercise that combines fun with an understanding of the advantages of flossing to spark your child’s interest in flossing. Making tedious activities into a game, whether your children compete against one another, a parent, or even the clock, makes them less unpleasant. Maintain a score and award points to two siblings or a parent and kid, or include a nice song or story in each flossing session. Whatever you do to make this time more pleasurable, don’t forget to praise your child for a job well done with a special bedtime story. Allow an older child to watch an episode of their favorite television show before turning down the lights. If they persist in refusing to floss their teeth, explain that the more time they spend arguing about it, the less time they will have to watch TV. Make a chart in which you give your child a star for every time they floss. The bigger the prize, the more stickers they gather. As the stars collect, increase the value of the goodies. Simply be sure to change the prizes from time to time to keep your youngster interested in the available incentives.

• Create a Flossing Chart

Making an interactive flossing chart and placing it near the bathroom sink is one of the most innovative and entertaining ways to urge your child to floss every day. Flossing will be more pleasurable as a result of being able to:

1. To keep track of their progress, use funny stickers or brightly colored markers.
2. Make a special family tradition that your children will remember for years to come.
3. Make non-monetary incentives available for attaining a certain objective.

• Allow Your Child to Pick the Flossing Tool

Traditional dental floss with string may be difficult for your youngster to use. They might not appreciate winding the thread over their fingers or squeezing the floss between their teeth. Allowing children to select their own child-friendly floss sticks or water flosser is a simple solution to this problem. Floss sticks come in a variety of bright colors, tastes, and forms, and kids could even find their favorite superhero or cartoon figure among the brands sold in the store. A water flosser may be more efficient if you want to save waste and avoid using disposable floss completely. They have been around for a long time and are frequently viewed as a more convenient and pleasurable flossing procedure than older approaches. Your youngster may also customize it with stickers and decorations.

• Suggest Daily or Nightly Inspections for their ‘Big-Kid Teeth’

The process of shedding baby teeth and acquiring ‘big-kid teeth’ is thrilling for a youngster. Not only does the tooth fairy make a visit, but seeing those fresh sparkling whites come out of thin air might look miraculous to a youngster. Encourage your children to floss their big-kid tooth sites every night in order to make room for strong permanent teeth to emerge. Convert their own mouth into a discovery zone to match the local museum’s dinosaur bone dig exhibit!

When Flossing Becomes an Issue

It’s typical for your child’s gums to bleed when he or she first begins flossing between his or her teeth. It is typically not a problem as long as the bleeding stops promptly. Some children may have a sensitive mouth or an overactive gag reflex, making flossing uncomfortable. To help alleviate this problem, explain to your child that it is OK for them to take pauses when flossing if they get angry or scared. Allowing them to take a few deep breaths can help to reduce their stress levels. If your kid has autism or a hyperactive condition, they are more likely to have oral health problems, such as difficulties flossing. You might seek the assistance of a pediatric dentist who specializes in treating kids with unique needs.

Sources:

• Kids Dental Challenges according to Waterpik Oral Health
• Mazhari F, Boskabady M, Moeintaghavi A, Habibi A. The effect of toothbrushing and flossing sequence on interdental plaque reduction and fluoride retention: A randomized controlled clinical trial. J Periodontol. 2018 Jul;89(7):824-832. doi: 10.1002/JPER.17-0149. Epub 2018 Jul 20. PMID: 29741239.