Convincing your child to floss on their own can be about as difficult as convincing them to snack on carrots instead of candy. Despite the challenges, flossing is crucial for the development of healthy teeth.
Don’t worry! You don’t have to take desperate measure to help them form this habit. All you need to do is floss with them every night and to find ways to make flossing fun for them. This will help flossing become natural for them as they get older.
Two Key Ways to Make Flossing Fun
- Take your child to the store and let him or her pick out all the oral hygiene necessities of their choice. This includes a toothbrush, floss, toothpaste and mouthwash. The variety of shapes, sizes, and flavors will excite them and inspire them to look forward to cleaning their teeth.
- Set a time aside to brush and floss with your child each and every night. Since children generally love quality time with their parents (especially when they are younger), they will want to brush and floss just to be near you. During this time you can also ensure your child is cleaning their teeth correctly.
At Burg Children’s Dentistry, we feel that parental involvement is crucial in ensuring the oral health of children. Establishing healthy oral hygiene habits for your child at a young age is important in the prevention of cavities and tooth decay. We encourage parents to take an active role in the oral health of their children. Children often learn by watching their parents.
We suggest making tooth brushing and flossing a fun family event. In addition to at-home care, we recommend that a professional cleaning and examination appointment be scheduled for your child every six months. Contact us, your local or Utah pediatric dentist for more information!
