When Should Kids Start Flossing?

Although getting your child to follow a good oral hygiene routine can feel like an uphill battle, doing so is critical for their oral development. Baby teeth eventually fall out, but the health of those teeth has a huge impact on the health of their underlying permanent teeth. Additionally, habits they develop in childhood can continue their whole life… for better and for worse!

Taking care of your child’s teeth when they’re young and helping them establish good dental habits reduces their risk of oral health problems, such as bad breath, tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease. In this blog post, we discuss how and when to establish good oral health habits for your child, including flossing.

Wipe Your Child’s Gums

Start cleaning your child’s mouth even before they have teeth. Use a soft damp cloth to gently wipe their gums after feedings. This will keep their gums healthy and strong, and get your child used to their mouth being cleaned.

Regularly Visit the Dentist

Within 6 months of when their first tooth erupts or by their first birthday, bring them into Pleasanton Children’s Dentistry & Braces for their first dental checkup. These early appointments allow us to identify and address any risks to your child’s oral health, answer questions you may have, and help your child develop a positive association with the dentist. At our children’s dental office, we treat children ages 0 to 18 years old!

Brush Their Teeth

For children under 3 years old, brush their teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush and dot of toothpaste the size of a grain of rice. After 3 years old, a pea-sized amount is appropriate. Your child will likely need help brushing until age 6 or so. However, this milestone varies based on how detail-oriented, coordinated, and responsible they are. Keep in mind that even when they do start brushing their teeth independently, they will still need supervision to be sure they brush properly and do not swallow their toothpaste.

Floss Their Teeth

Begin flossing between your child’s teeth as soon as they have two teeth next to each other. Once that happens, there’s a space where food and bacteria can collect. When combined with brushing, flossing keeps teeth and gums healthy. Like brushing, kids will need help until they are coordinated enough to floss independently.

Your Children’s Dentist in Pleasanton, TX

Looking for a children’s dentist that understands your child’s specific needs and provides comprehensive, high-quality oral healthcare in a comfortable environment? Contact Pleasanton Children’s Dentistry & Braces! We would be thrilled for your child to join our dental family.

Categorised in: Dental Tips, Preventive Dental Care

This post was written by Pleasanton Children’s Dentistry & Braces