\nWhen your child\u2019s teeth begin to touch. \nThis is typically around the age of 2-5.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How should I start\nflossing?<\/strong> What kind of floss is best? What are my flossing\noptions?<\/strong> What is not a\nflossing option?
\nChildren tend to imitate their parents, so when it is time to start flossing,\nhave your child watch you floss. You can\nlet them hold the floss, taste the flavor, and let it pique their\ninterest. Do not let your child use floss or play with floss unsupervised. It can be a strangulation hazard or damage\ngums if used inappropriately. Always\nwatch your child while playing with floss.<\/strong> \nOnce they have gotten used to seeing floss and looking forward to \u201cflossing\ntime,\u201d you can start adding it to their daily routine. Maybe one day you get one tooth flossed and the\nnext day you get two teeth flossed. The\nkey is being consistent with it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>I get this question frequently. My typical response is, \u201cWhatever kind of floss you will use.\u201d I have learned in dental school that traditional floss is what is the \u201cbest.\u201d But some people are not able to use that, especially parents who are flossing young children\u2019s teeth. I have found that a lot of times when parents are told this, they go home, try it once, fail, and decide that it is not worth the fight. With my own child, I have found the flossers most successful. Children like the bright colors, and it is less of a mouthful than a bunch of fingers and string. But if your child allows you to use traditional floss, go for it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n1. Traditional floss
\n2. Disposable floss picks
\n3. Non-disposable floss picks (use traditional floss to wrap around the pick\nand replace the floss after every use)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n<\/strong>1. Interdental brushes or dental picks \u2013 these can remove plaque between\nteeth, but it can never get the little bit right beneath where the two teeth\ncontact. The contact point is where\ncavities begin. These brushes and picks\ncan be helpful in cleaning the gums but are not a substitute for flossing
\n2. Water picks or flossers \u2013 the same reason as the interdental brushes and\npicks. You need something that goes\nstraight down between the teeth to remove all the plaque that can cause\ncavities<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.simmonsyoung.com\/PediatricDentalBlog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/DSC02642-1024x768.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.simmonsyoung.com\/PediatricDentalBlog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/DSC02644-1024x768.jpg\")