Flossing is an integral part of healthy oral hygiene for children and adults alike. However, a recent study found that only 4 out of 10 Americans floss every day. Many people feel that brushing alone is enough to keep their teeth clean. But brushing cannot reach the spaces between the teeth, leaving your child’s teeth vulnerable to plaque buildup and tooth decay.
Helping Your Child Floss
There are different types of floss for the needs of each person. Below are a few tips on how to teach your child to floss:
- If your child has gaps in their teeth – Dental tape is a great solution for flossing the hard-to-reach spaces between your child’s teeth. Dental tape is wider than floss, allowing your child to more easily clean his or her teeth.
- If your child’s teeth are tightly bunched – Teeth that fit tightly together can make it difficult to fit floss through the gaps. Waxed floss is thinner and more easily glides between the teeth.
- If your child has varied spacing between their teeth – If your child has some large spaces and some tight spaces between the teeth, you may want to try ultra floss. Ultra floss can stretch to be thin enough to floss through bunched teeth, but it wide enough to clean wider spaces.
- If your child has orthodontic braces – Braces and wires can shred the floss and make it difficult to reach between the teeth to floss. Kids with braces can use a floss threader. These are designed to help people with orthodontics floss more easily.
No matter which type of floss you choose, the most important thing is that your family is flossing every day. You can help them to floss at first, so they know how to do it properly.
If your child is wearing orthodontic braces and struggling to floss properly, please contact Garlock Orthodontics. Our Aurora, Colorado orthodontic office can help you choose the right floss for your child and give you tips on how to brush with braces!