Your Child’s Oral Care
Oral Care
Flossing
Flossing For Children
Flossing can help remove food and plaque from in between teeth and along the gum line. As soon as your child has two teeth that touch, you should begin flossing — this can be as early as age 2 1/2. You can ask your dentist or hygienist to demonstrate proper flossing techniques. Here are some basic guidelines.
Break off about 18 inches of floss and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers. Wind the remaining floss around the same finger of the opposite hand. This finger will take up the floss as it becomes dirty. Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers.
Guide the floss between your child’s teeth using a gentle rubbing motion. Never snap the floss into the gums.
When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a C shape against one tooth. Gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth.
Hold the floss tightly against the tooth. Gently rub the side of the tooth, moving the floss away from the gum with an upward motion.
Repeat this method on the rest of your child’s teeth.
Remember to get the back side of your child’s back tooth.
By the time they are 7 or so, children should be flossing each night at bedtime with your supervision.
At a minimum, children should floss twice a week.
Source: American Dental Association