{"id":1077,"date":"2021-02-03T21:36:25","date_gmt":"2021-02-03T21:36:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mydentalpracticeblog.com\/alexandriapediatricdentistry\/dental-care-blog\/how-to-train-a-flossing-pro\/"},"modified":"2021-02-03T21:36:25","modified_gmt":"2021-02-03T21:36:25","slug":"how-to-train-a-flossing-pro","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mydentalpracticeblog.com\/alexandriapediatricdentistry\/dental-care-blog\/how-to-train-a-flossing-pro\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Train a Flossing Pro"},"content":{"rendered":"

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FLOSSING DAILY IS<\/b> such an important part of maintaining good oral health and hygiene in between dental visits. The best way to ensure that kids make flossing a part of their day is to teach them how! Here are a few tips parents should bear in mind when teaching their children how to floss.<\/p>\n

Is It Important to Floss Baby Teeth?<\/h3>\n

The answer is yes. Just because baby teeth are temporary, that doesn\u2019t mean we can treat them like freebies<\/strong>. Kids can practice brushing and flossing with baby teeth so that they\u2019re masters of good oral health habits by the time their permanent teeth arrive. It\u2019s also important to keep baby teeth healthy because of the roles they perform in chewing, learning how to talk, and guiding incoming permanent teeth into place.<\/p>\n

How Early Should Flossing Begin?<\/h3>\n

As soon as kids have teeth that touch, we should start flossing. Small children don\u2019t have the kind of hand-eye coordination or dexterity needed to floss effectively, so it is something parents must do for them at first<\/strong>. By getting them used to daily flossing when they\u2019re little (making sure to be gentle), we\u2019re preparing them for continuing daily flossing on their own. The most important factor is consistency, but also make sure to set an example by flossing your teeth too!<\/p>\n

Motivational Tips for Building a Flossing Habit<\/h3>\n

Okay, we\u2019ve covered why flossing is important and when to start, but the people who really need convincing are the kids!<\/p>\n

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  • Even gentle flossing can be uncomfortable and strange for young children, so explain why flossing is so important to do<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
  • Emphasize that flossing is something Big Kids do.<\/strong> Growing children always want to prove that they\u2019re very grown-up, so this framing will make flossing into a rite of passage for them, just like tying their own shoes and riding their bikes with no training wheels.<\/li>\n
  • Use flossers or floss picks<\/strong> if regular floss is too difficult for them.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Technique Matters in Effective Flossing<\/h3>\n

    If you\u2019re sticking with regular floss, the technique you teach your kids matters. Show them how to pull out the correct amount of floss (they shouldn\u2019t need more than a foot and a half) and secure it around their middle fingers without pulling too tight, leaving an inch or two in between. Demonstrate how to curve the floss around each side of every tooth in a C-shape<\/strong>, and how to gently wiggle back and forth without pulling straight down to the gums.<\/p>\n

    The right technique is great for cleaning, but it\u2019s also gentle! Finally, show them how to slide the floss back out and rotate to a clean section of floss for the next tooth so that they will actually clean their teeth instead of moving the plaque around<\/strong>!<\/p>\n