How to Introduce Dental Floss to Children

Dental floss is something that is all to unfamiliar to young children. We all know we're supposed to floss every day. Did you know children should do the same? Yep, either you must do it for them, or you must teach your toddlers to clean in between their own teeth. This article explains how you should first introduce dental floss to young children to create life long habits.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Flossers

1. Check out a children's book about oral hygiene at your local library. This is a perfect way to introduce teeth and how we take care of them. The more exposed she is to dental floss, the easier it will be each day.

2. Schedule a trip to the dentist. Parenting books suggest you should bring your child in first at about 1 year old. Let's get real, who does that? By the time your child is 3 years old, however, a trip to the dentist is quite necessary. This is where you will first introduce dental floss to him.

3. Stay in the room with your child during the exam. The dentist should be very friendly and helpful, but if she's not, you can be the one to ease your child's fears. Explain that dental floss and teeth cleaning keeps her gums healthy.

4. Pick up a package of Flossers from the local discount store. These are little sticks with a small piece of tightly taught dental floss between 2 ends. These are easy for little hands to handle, and much easier for parents to use when flossing their children's teeth.

5. Give your child a dental floss stick each night. She gets a few minutes to try on her own before you finish up. Be sure to pay special attention to the spaces between the molars. This is where most of the food gets stuck and plaque builds up.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure you choose a dentist who specializes in children, or one that comes highly recommended.

[hollie1974]

on 1/19/2009 TY! Very good tips!