- How to Floss
Learning how to floss correctly is an important part of cleaning teeth. Flossing removes plaque from between the teeth where toothbrush bristles can’t reach.
How to Floss
Flossing is not easy for children to do by themselves. The ADA recommends that you floss your child’s teeth until he or she can do it alone, around age 10 or 11. When your child is ready to floss- with your supervision-show him or her how to hold the floss and gently clean between the teeth.
Your dentist and hygienist can also show you and your child how to floss. Don’t forget to floss once a day!
Here are some tips for proper flossing:
- Use about a foot and a half of floss. Wind most of it around the middle fingers of both hands. Hold the floss between the thumbs and forefingers. Use a gentle, back-and-forth motion to guide the floss between the teeth
- Curve the floss into a C-shape and guide it into the space between the gum and tooth until you feel resistance. Gently scrape the floss against the side of the tooth.
- Repeat these steps on each tooth. Don’t forget the backs of the last teeth in each corner of the mouth.
We hope that these methods will help you when teaching your children how to floss their teeth. Ready to jumpstart your healthy habits? Schedule an appointment today!