As a parent, you might be trying your best to make sure your child has great oral hygiene. While you might’ve put importance on brushing, flossing is something you shouldn’t forget about. It can help remove harmful bacteria that their toothbrush can’t reach, but teaching your loved one can be quite a feat. Here are three tips to help encourage them to pick up this oral habit.
1.) Show Your Child How It’s Done Properly
Right before you let your child dive into flossing, be sure to show them how it’s done. Doing so will let them know what the right steps are and help them feel more confident about it as well. These are the steps you should show them:
- Cut an 18- to 24-inch piece of dental floss. Find one that’s gentle on growing smiles.
- Wrap it around a finger, typically the index or middle, for both hands.
- Slide the floss between two teeth and hold it to make a “C” shape. Move it up and down the structure to get rid of debris and bacteria.
- Use a clean section of the floss for each tooth and repeat it until all finished.
2.) Do an Activity to Show Them the Importance of Flossing
If your child learns by doing, then you can make flossing into an activity. While they might not be up to on their teeth, a fun demonstration may be able to change their mind!
For instance, you can wear a glove and have your child cover it with peanut butter. Make sure they get in between your fingers and then hold them tightly together. Using a spare toothbrush, have your loved one brush as much of the food off your hand. They can rinse as needed, but show them how hard it is to get between your fingers. Relate this to their teeth and then give them floss. Using it, they will be able to get everything they missed.
3.) Reward Your Child for Being Consistent
In some cases, innocent bribery is all you need! You can make a chart for your child and mark it off every day that they floss. Once they do it enough times, you can give them a small reward, whether it’s a toy, a privilege, or anything else they might want.
Another great way to entice them is by letting them pick out their own products. Let them peruse the aisle and see what floss flavor or color speaks to them. That way, they feel encouraged to take better care of their smile.
About the Author
Dr. Bryce Cushing earned his dental degree from the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry and completed his pediatric residency at the University of Florida College of Dentistry. With 15 years of experience under Dr. Cushing’s belt, he is happy to help growing grins in the Papillion community build great relationships with their teeth and gums. That way, they develop good habits that they take well into adulthood.
If you want tips about your child’s dental hygiene routine, schedule an appointment or call his office at (402) 773-7873.