FLOSSING A CHILD’S TEETH

Regular, consistent flossing is much more important than toothbrush to avoid plaque.

The different types of dental floss include the following:

• Waxed and unwaxed
• Flavored and unflavored
• Wide and regular
• Textured and smooth

Between the age of 2 and 6, flossing should start even when your kids have baby (primary) teeth. As they develop dexterity, you can help them learn to floss, until they could do this by themselves. Make flossing  as their daily habit. For young children, you can use floss that is soft and flexible so that it doesn’t hurt their teeth and is comfortable on their gums.

Flossing methods

Follow the flossing techniques of your child’s dentist.

• Spool method (also called the finger-wrap method)
  Cut off a piece of floss that is approximately 18 to 20 inches in length. Lightly wrap each side of the piece of floss several times around each middle finger. Next, carefully maneuver the floss in between the teeth with your index fingers and thumbs in an up and down, not side-to-side, motion. It is best to bring the floss up and down, making sure to go below the gumline, bending it to form a “C” on the side of each tooth.
• Loop method (also called the circle method)
  Cut off a piece of floss that is approximately 18 inches long, and tie it securely in a circle. Next, place all of the fingers, except the thumb, within the loop. Then, use your index fingers to guide the floss through the lower teeth, and use your thumbs to guide the floss through the upper teeth, making sure to go below the gumline, bending it to form a “C” on the side of each tooth.
• Other flossing techniques

Flossing tools, such as a pre-threaded flosser or floss holder helps children learn correct flossing techniques.

Oral irrigators are not considered as substitutes for brushing and flossing. These devices may be effective around orthodontic braces that retain food or in areas that a toothbrush cannot reach. However, they do not remove plaque that contains harmful bacteria.