Flossing is often the most overlooked part of the oral hygiene routine, yet it’s essential for removing plaque and food particles from places a toothbrush simply can’t reach. At Little Roots Pediatric Dental in Westbury, NY, we help families make flossing a positive habit from an early age.
When to Start Flossing
The timing for introducing flossing depends on your child’s dental development:
- Begin flossing as soon as your child has two teeth that touch each other
- For most children, this happens between ages 2-3
- Parents should perform the flossing until children develop the manual dexterity to do it effectively themselves (usually around age 8-10)
- Even after children can floss independently, supervision and occasional help may be needed through age 10
Choosing the Right Flossing Tools
Different options work better for different ages and abilities:
- Traditional string floss works well for parents flossing their children’s teeth
- Floss picks are easier for children learning to floss independently
- Floss handles with longer grips can help children reach back teeth
- Water flossers can be good options for older children, especially those with braces
- Flavored floss may increase compliance for hesitant flossers
Making Flossing Fun: Our Westbury Families’ Favorite Approaches
Turning flossing into an enjoyable experience increases the chances of it becoming a lifelong habit:
- Create a flossing chart with stickers for completed days
- Use a special song that lasts just the right amount of time for thorough flossing
- Let children “practice” flossing on a large plastic model or even a stuffed animal
- Tell stories about the “sugar bugs” being evicted from between teeth
- Take turns – let your child try flossing your teeth (with supervision!)
- Use smartphone apps designed to make flossing fun and track progress
Common Flossing Challenges and Solutions
Many families in Nassau County share similar struggles with flossing routines:
- For tight contacts between teeth, waxed floss slides more easily
- For children who resist opening wide, try flossing during story time or TV time
- For sensitive gums that bleed, ensure gentle technique and consistency (bleeding usually resolves as gum health improves)
- For children with sensory sensitivities, try different floss types and provide plenty of advance notice before transitions
What Effective Flossing Looks Like
Proper technique matters:
- Use approximately 18 inches of string floss, winding most around one finger
- Hold a small section (1-2 inches) tightly between thumbs and forefingers
- Use a gentle sawing motion to guide floss between teeth
- Curve the floss around each tooth in a C-shape, moving it up and down along the tooth surface
- Use a clean section of floss for each tooth
For floss picks, similar wrapping and gentle up-and-down motions apply.
Building a Complete Routine
At Little Roots Pediatric Dental, we emphasize that flossing is just one part of complete oral care:
- Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste
- Floss once daily (evening is often best)
- Maintain regular dental visits at our Westbury office
- Eat a tooth-healthy diet
By making flossing a positive, even playful part of your child’s routine, you’re setting them up for better dental health throughout their life. And remember, our Westbury pediatric dentists are always here to demonstrate techniques or troubleshoot challenges at your next visit!
