Why is Oral Hygiene Important?

Maintaining good oral health contributes to our overall quality of life. Whether it be baby teeth or adult teeth, it is important to encourage our youth to maintain oral health. Our teeth help us to bite and chew, support speech development, and help us feel confident. Poor oral hygiene may lead to toothaches, cavities, and gum disease.¹ Brushing regularly helps to keep our mouths clean and healthy. However, brushing alone is not enough to remove stubborn plaque or food lodged between our teeth and gums. Flossing helps prevent gum disease and tooth decay by getting to the areas the brush fails to reach.² When the teeth are not clean properly the levels of bacteria in the mouth rise, which can cause cavities.

Teaching your child to floss may seem challenging in the early days. However, you can try to make it a fun and enjoyable experience through games and rewards. Making it part of their daily routine will help your child develop good oral hygiene habits as adults.³

How to Get Started in Flossing?

There are various types of floss to choose from. Experimenting with them may help you to decide which one works best for your child.^2,4 

The types of dental floss include:

• Waxed and unwaxed- Waxed floss is stronger, however unwaxed floss glides more easily between teeth
• Flavoured and unflavoured- A mint-flavoured floss will leave your mouth feeling clean and fresh, or if you’d prefer you can opt for an unflavoured one
• Dental tape (tape floss)-This works well for wider gaps between teeth. 
• Floss picks- This is great for removing plaque between teeth. It’s also easier to reach the teeth in the back region of the mouth
• Superfloss- This has varying widths, which is great for areas with a wider gap. It’s also good for cleaning between braces and dental implants

Tips for Making Flossing Easier for Your Kids

Your child may struggle to understand the concept of flossing. They may very well be against the idea at first. Don’t worry, keep persevering, it will get easier!

Here are some tips that you can try to get your child to floss:³

• Gently explain to your kids why we floss. Children are more likely to do things when given an explanation
• Flossing your own teeth in front of your child will give them an idea of how it’s done
• Even if it’s one or two teeth, cheer them on! As they grow older, they’ll develop the ability to floss their teeth independently

Step-by-Step Flossing Technique²

There are a few different techniques of flossing. The best way to figure out what works for your child is through trial and error. It might be a good idea to experiment with various types of floss and flossing techniques to help you decide which is best suited to your child.

The Finger Wrap Method

Cut a piece of floss. Wrap one end around your right middle finger and the other end around your left middle finger. Then use your index finger and thumb to move the floss in an up and down motion. You can also form a C-shape by curving the floss around each tooth. Gently slide it under the gum line between each tooth.

The Circle Method

Cut a piece of floss. Tie the ends together to form a circle. Then place all your fingers bar the thumbs inside the hoop. Next, use your index finger and thumb to guide the floss between your teeth. Again, you can bend the floss to form a C-shape. This will help guide the floss below the gum line.

You may want to try using a floss pick as you might find it easier than using regular floss. It is easier to use as it has a handle. It also comes in handy for hard-to-reach areas at the back of the mouth. This may be the perfect type of floss when teaching your child to independently floss their teeth.³

Making Flossing Fun and Engaging

From interactive and visual aids to rewards and positive reinforcement, there are multiple ways to make flossing an enjoyable experience.

Start by explaining to your child why flossing is so important. There are some excellent resources and educational videos out there to help you. Show your child how it’s done! Begin by flossing your own teeth to demonstrate, this will help ease their anxiety and build comfort. Consistency is the key. Therefore, you may also want to use flossing charts and stickers to help your child continue flossing. Praise and encouragement with small rewards along the way will motivate them to keep their mouths healthy and clean!

Tips for Dealing With Resistance

Introducing new steps in our children's hygiene routine may seem difficult. They may fear the unknown or try it and avoid it afterwards due to discomfort. Do not despair! This reaction is relatively normal. The best way to deal with this is to be understanding and compassionate towards your child. Have discussions with them about how they’re feeling and address any concerns they may have.

Another way to deal with resistance is to make it a family activity. When everyone is flossing your child will want to join in too! Making flossing an everyday activity and maintaining consistency will eventually make flossing less challenging.

Monitoring Progress and Ensuring Proper Technique

Regular dental check-ups are crucial. The dentist will check for any underlying issues. Visit the dentist if you have any concerns or tooth pain. You can also ask for advice on flossing to make sure you’re using the right technique. Dental check-ups may make your child anxious. It would be a good idea for your child to see you visit the dentist as this may ease any fears.

Supervising your child is important at the beginning. This ensures that your child remains consistent in their dental hygiene routine and that the correct technique is used. As the child becomes older, encourage them to become more independent. 

Summary

Flossing is an important step that should be a part of every child's dental hygiene routine. Flossing can get rid of stubborn plaque and reach areas that brushing often misses. There are different types of floss and techniques that you can use. Try them out to find what suits your child the best. Make flossing fun! From reward charts to using a mouth model, there are numerous ways to engage your child. It can be challenging but stay consistent. Eventually, it will become a normal part of their hygiene routine. Make sure to take your child to the dentist regularly for a check-up. Keep monitoring and encouraging your child towards independence. These healthy habits will hopefully continue into adulthood.