Kid's Floss
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Kids' Floss Supports Good Oral Hygiene
Good oral hygiene for your kids starts with the right products, such as kids' floss, toothpaste and toothbrushes. Flossing is an important part of removing plaque buildup between teeth no matter how old you are. Choosing effective children's dental floss can set your child up for a lifetime of healthier teeth and gums.
When Should Kids Start Flossing?
The American Dental Association suggests starting a flossing routine with your little ones as soon as they have at least two teeth that touch. This often happens early in the toddler years at the latest. If you're already past that stage, getting your kids in the habit of flossing now is the perfect time to start.
Young kids typically need lots of help with flossing since they don't have the manual dexterity to do a good job. It's not until around age 10 or 11 that kids can typically handle this step of the oral care routine effectively on their own.
Do Kids Need Special Floss?
Choosing the right products for kids' oral care helps meet their needs and fit their smaller mouths. Floss is usually more flexible than products such as kids' toothbrushes, which need to have smaller heads and handles that are easy for small hands to grip.
Any type of floss should work as kids' floss. However, handheld flossers are often easier to use with little ones, both when you're helping them and when they're flossing by themselves. The tool keeps the floss steady, and the handle makes it easier to maneuver around your child's teeth.
Flossers made specifically for kids often have comfortable handles for kids' hands and are often sized smaller than adult flossers, which might be too large for a child's mouth.
How to Use Kids' Floss
Find a comfortable flossing position for your child that also makes it easy for you to reach their teeth while handling this personal care task. One option that often works well is sitting behind your child while they tilt their head backward. If you use regular floss, follow these 4 steps:
Wrap a piece of floss, around 18 inches long, around your index fingers.
Move the floss up and down between each pair of teeth, curving it around the tooth to help remove the plaque.
Slide the floss under the gum line to remove plaque hiding there.
Use a pre-strung flosser in the same way, holding the handle instead of wrapping it around your fingers.
Follow up by brushing their teeth with kids' toothpaste. Using kids' floss can take some practice, especially if your child moves around a lot. Starting at a young age helps your little one get used to the flossing process.