Flossing Teeth

Is it necessary to floss children’s teeth?

When teeth first come into the mouth, they have spaces between them. At this stage, brushing alone is sufficient in removing plaque. As children get close to age 4, the teeth start to touch and the toothbrush bristles cannot get in between. Daily flossing in these hard to reach surfaces becomes essential for healthy teeth and gums. If plaque is left between the teeth, bacteria will continue to grow and may lead to gum disease and tooth decay.

It takes some practice to be able to floss comfortably. You need to floss your child’s teeth until he or she acquires the manual dexterity and masters the skill to floss independently. Your children’s dentist will demonstrate how to floss properly whether using a strand wrapped around the fingers, or pre-threaded floss with a handle.

3 Tips for flossing teeth:

1. Floss gently up and down between the teeth to skim off the plaque.
2. Avoid hitting the gums as this may cause discomfort.
3. Floss once daily to keep plaque levels low and prevent tooth decay.

Should we floss before or after brushing? This is a question that many kids’ dentists get asked. As long as one flosses thoroughly, It really does not matter whether it is done before or after brushing. It is a matter of preference.

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