When Should Kids Start Flossing?

Good habits should be formed at a young age. By learning the basic skills, a child slowly takes preparation for an independent life. By the time children are two years old, they have their baby teeth. With the passing of time, new teeth arrive. According to experts, teeth come closer together when a child is 2 to 6 years old.

Between these times, a child also loses baby teeth and gets adult teeth. The habit of flossing should be formed when you notice that your kid’s teeth can be touched. Bacteria grow rapidly in tight spaces, and a toothbrush is not enough for cleaning teeth.

When to start

Children should start flossing their teeth even if they have only the primary teeth. When kids are 2 to 6 years old, their teeth fit together. When should kids start flossing? As a parent, you have to make sure that your baby is forming the good habit of flossing teeth daily. Children can floss without anybody’s help when they develop dexterity. It happens when a child is about 10 years old.

To help your kids form this habit, you have to be active in the first few months. If you do it for them for a few months, gradually they will form the habit and do it by themselves. This is one of the best habits your child can form in his youngest years.

Benefits of flossing

There are many reasons why children should floss their teeth regularly. First of all, your teeth look brighter when the plaque is removed. Your toothbrush can not always effectively remove food particles.

To get a mental picture of how flossing works, think about a carpet. A carpet changes its appearance after you vacuum it. The carpet will look fresh and clean when the dust and dirt are not visible. Flossing works in the same way. But when should kids start flossing? The question is not tricky at all. Your child should start flossing when he or she has teeth.

It is of utmost importance to keep your teeth clean. There are even some studies that have found a link between dental health and heart disease. Like other infections, mouth infections can trigger heart diseases because inflammatory substances can slow the blood flow in your body. Your cardiovascular system may not work properly if there is infection in your bloodstream.

There is another great benefit of flossing: kids can examine their mouth regularly. If there is any redness or swelling, proper steps can be taken before it is too late. Kids can look after their tongue, teeth and gums. This good habit can prevent a lot of other complications.

How flossing benefits gums

Unhealthy gums are a sign that you are going to lose your teeth. Brushing your teeth twice a day is important, but it is not enough. Gum diseases can be prevented only when kids develop the habit of flossing regularly.

Many kids suffer from bleeding gums. In such a situation, many parents do not like the idea of flossing; mistakenly thinking that it will worsen the condition of the gums. But the fact is, no matter how unhealthy your gums, flossing is beneficial. When bleeding is successfully prevented, there is far less risk of developing other complications.

According to a 2006 study, brushing alone is not enough to prevent dental diseases. Kids who floss regularly are far less likely to suffer from bleeding gum problems. And when should kids start flossing? Although kids should develop the habit of flossing at a young age, it is never too late to start flossing.

Flossing removes food particles and plaque, and protects your teeth against gingivitis. And healthy gums will give your child a beautiful smile. Whether your child is 3 years old or 10, flossing will whiten your kid’s teeth.

Flossing after eating

There are many benefits of flossing after you have eaten something. Dental health is not directly related to dieting, but it is normally believed that kids feel less tempted to food after they have flossed or brushed their teeth.

It may not be convenient for you to brush your teeth every time you have eaten something. But flossing after a meal is a good way to feel fresh, and it is pretty convenient.

Eating dried fruits like raisins and pretzels is good for your health, but these fruits tend to stick to your teeth. There is another thing to be concerned. Dried fruits contain a lot of sugar, and that can be very bad for kid’s teeth. Flossing is a great solution to all these problems.

What is a water flosser?

Also known as a water pick, a water flosser is in essence an oral irrigator. Using a thin stream of water, this device removes plaque from your teeth. If there are food particles between your teeth, your can remove the particles with this device.

A water flosser has a reservoir of water, and before you use the device, you need to plug it into an outlet. The device is very easy to use. For your child, you can also use a kids water flosser. There are many options to choose from.

If your child’s flossing and brushing routine is not enough, you should consider using a water flosser. When use regularly, a water flosser can do wonders. When should kids start flossing? The answer is: when your kid feels comfortable with a water flosser.

Some studies have shown that water flosser can prevent gum disease. Ideally, kids should floss once a day and brush twice a day. With the appearance of your kid’s first tooth, you should start trips to the dentist. If you are successful in establishing this habit, your child will carry this habit throughout life.

If your child already uses traditional floss, a water flosser is a better option. People of all ages tend to floss in the wrong way. A water flosser is a great solution to this problem, because it is easier to use. In fact, you can not use a water flosser in a wrong way.

Great for braces

If your child uses braces, he or she may have to deal with some additional problems. Kernels often get stuck in braces. No matter how prepared your kid is, food will eventually get stuck. And it is pretty hard to remove plaque and kernels from braces. As a result, gum disease and gingivitis may develop.

Kids with braces should always remember what types of food items they are allowed to eat. But if your child forgets about it, a water flosser can effectively remove food particles stuck in the braces. A water flosser, with its customizable settings and specialized tips, can effectively clean each bracket.

If you need to remove extremely levels of plaque, the settings of your water flosser can be tweaked accordingly. If your child has sensitive teeth, you can use specialized tips that come with water flosser.

So when should kids start flossing? The simple answer is: kids should start flossing when they have teeth. The sooner you help your child develop this good habit the better.