Did you know that the FDA classifies dental floss as a Class 1 device in the US? It means that a piece of dental floss is a low-risk tool subject to minimal regulatory controls. Kids dentist in Georgetown recommends introducing your child to flossing to boost their oral health.
Your child’s mouth is the gateway to their gut, so poor oral health can be disastrous for their wellbeing. You shouldn’t allow bacteria to accumulate in between their teeth since it can turn out to be gross. Flossing is a surefire way to reach areas that the toothbrush won’t, to maintain oral health.
Research proves that most American adults dread flossing, a behavior they pass on to their kids. That’s imprudent of them since consistent flossing can be advantageous for your kid. As a responsible parent, it isn’t enough to introduce them to flossing – show them how to do it right.
Wondering how to teach your child about flossing? Continue reading to learn the top 5 flossing tips from your kid’s dentist in Georgetown.
1. Start Them Early
What is the best age to induct your child to teeth flossing? The answer is as soon as they have two teeth touching each other. Your Lexington pediatric dentist insists on starting your little one on flossing early.
For most parents, it seems unlikely that your child’s teeth get dirty while they’re toddlers. As a result, they overlook the need to brush and floss teeth and wait until they’ve grown. Truth is, your kid’s teeth accumulate food remnants, so flossing is essential.
It’s safe to start flossing your child’s teeth early since it makes the difference in their oral health. Of course, you won’t let them do it, so here’s how to go about it.
• Wrap the floss around your fingers, similar to how you floss your own teeth
• Use your thumb to slide the floss gently between your child’s teeth
• Move up and down on the surfaces of each tooth for an easy clean
Always floss under your Georgetown dentist’s directive. You’ll handle the flossing until the child is comfortable doing it on their own, so buckle up! Flossing requires some fine motor skills that’ll take your child some time to master.
2. Ensure They Have the Right Tools
Getting the right tools is invaluable if you’re planning to start flossing on your little one. The tools are essential for learning and practice throughout the learning process. The right flossing tools are an excellent investment towards your child’s oral health, so they come in handy.
Shop around for kid-friendly floss; you could consider the waxed version of a flavor they’d love. Part of their tools contains floss sticks that have handles. Everything comes in kid-size, and they’re efficient for learning, after which you can switch to regular floss.
Ensure you let your child pick out their favorite floss color or flavor from the store. They’ll likely be more attracted to the idea of flossing when they have a personal attachment to the tools. The motivation extends to their later years, which boosts their oral health.
The right tools are ideal since they’re delicate and specifically made for kids’ use. You’ll thus avoid injury to your child’s gums while removing so much plaque.
3. Teach Them in Easy Steps
Teaching your child how to floss can be challenging. However, you can’t always do it for them, so it’s imperative that they learn. Breaking down the flossing process for your child is the best way to help them learn.
Although teaching kids is progressive, you can break down the flossing process in easy steps.
Some of the easy ways to get the kids to learn flossing include;
• You could have a prop to teach them about the outlay of their mouth
• Have a simple step by step process on how the flossing should be done
• Let your child practice on your fingers before they can do it on their mouth
• Try to explain everything you do as you floss on their teeth
• Let the kid try it out on their own as you watch and correct them
The sooner your kid learns about flossing, the better it becomes for their oral health. Pediatric dentist lip tie recommends breaking down the steps to make it easier to grasp.
Use technology within the learning process by letting them watch flossing videos. Having the video on as they floss ensures they never skip a step, thus enhancing dental care. Flossing videos for kids also have songs and graphic images that resonate better with your kid, helping them learn.
4. Floss Together
Every parent wishes to spend every extra minute with their child. Flossing together allows you to bond as your child learns how to do it right.
Children are such visual beings, and I’m sure you’ve noticed they try and emulate what you do. Use this to your advantage by teaching them how to take care of their oral health. Proper dental care is your best bet at preventing an emergency visit to the pediatric dentist near me.
Go through the steps together and let them watch what you’re doing. It would help to bring kids in for preventive dentistry to avoid underlying problems.
5. Develop a Schedule
What time do you floss each day? Experts recommend flossing once each day, and when training your child, it’s imperative to come up with a routine. Developing a schedule will help them learn faster and stick to flossing each day.
Floss right before bedtime each day. The routine ensures your child’s mentality is set on the need for flossing each day. They’ll likely never forget and make it routine even after they’ve grown.
Consider the Above Flossing Tips From Your Kid’s Dentist in Georgetown
Teaching flossing to a child doesn’t have to be challenging. You can hack it using the above flossing tips from your kid’s dentist in Georgetown. It’s, however, critical that you floss under the direction of your pediatrician to get it right.
At Pediatric Dentistry of Hamburg, our team is enthusiastic about promoting your kid’s dental care. Reach out for any inquiries or questions about kids flossing to ensure you get it right.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
Recent Comments