When it comes to flossing in Garland, you may have no issues getting in between your teeth but what about your child? Young smiles often require much practice when it comes to maneuvering a piece of dental floss back and forth. Too much pressure or a half-hearted attempt can compromise their oral health, which is why it is often helpful to ask a pediatric dentist for help. In this article, we’ll look at three tips you can use to help your child master the art of flossing and enjoy a healthier, cavity-free smile.
The Importance of Flossing
Flossing is one of the three main components of an oral hygiene routine. While brushing can remove bacteria and surface stains, dental floss gets in between teeth to remove harmful particles that would otherwise, adhere to the enamel and begin breaking it down, causing cavities and even gum disease.
For young smiles, it can often be difficult trying to maneuver this small piece of waxed material back and forth and even trying to reach those teeth located toward the back of the mouth. This is why it’s essential that you work closely with their pediatric dentist who can establish effective ways of teaching kids how to floss in Garland.
3 Tips to Help Your Child Learn to Floss
Knowing how your child learns best is necessary to ensure success when it comes to flossing. You may need to try several methods before landing on one or two that work best. Some of the most common tips a pediatric dentist will provide when it comes to learning how to floss include:
- Show Them Yourself – One of the most effective ways to help your child learn is to do it yourself. You can begin by eating something that will easily become stuck between your teeth (i.e., chocolate cookies). Once you’re finished, show them how you floss to remove the food particles from in between your teeth. This will allow them to see how the process works, why there’s nothing to fear, and how beneficial it is for their smile.
- Practice Using Toys – There are several toys on the market that help to teach children how to properly floss and brush, but if you’d rather avoid spending even more money, you can always use Play-Doh. By constructing some “teeth,” you can use a piece of string and have your child practice the art of flossing. You can also use large Legos as well as Play-Doh and have your little one remove the “food” using the makeshift floss.
- Reward Them – When they successfully floss for an entire week or month (however long you want), reward them with a trip to the park, a gold star, or a small toy. You may be tempted to give them a piece of candy, but you don’t want to instill poor habits that can lead to cavities.
Flossing can be a fun activity for the whole family. By teaching your child how to do it correctly, everyone can enjoy healthier smiles day in and day out.
About the Author
Dr. Adam Preece is a board-certified pediatric dentist who earned his dental degree at The Ohio State University. Passionate about young, growing smiles, he completed a two-year residency in pediatric dentistry at Women and Children’s Hospital in Buffalo, NY. He is currently a staff member at Children’s Health Dallas/Plano. Dr. Preece and his colleagues believe in starting good oral hygiene habits at an early age, which is why they work with parents to establish healthy techniques to ensure tooth decay and gum disease stay away. For additional daily tips or to schedule a checkup, visit our website or call (972) 309-9992.