Flossing is a key component of any good oral hygieneregime. In order to remove harmful bacteria and food particles from between theteeth, dental floss is an effective tool to make this part of the processsuccessful. But how do you know when it’s the right time for your child tostart flossing? After all, it does require some careful maneuvering and skillto safely and effectively get in-between the teeth. To help you determine whenyou should help your little one make this next step, hear from a pediatricdentist in McKinney who can help.

How Important Is It for a Child to Floss?

Young teeth are much more prone to developing caries andtooth decay. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) states that earlychildhood cavities are the most common health problem among kids ages 2 to 11.The reason for this is that their manual dexterity is not fully developed untilthey are ages 7 and 8, making it difficult to reach certain areas of the mouthand effectively remove harmful bacteria and food particles.

When cavities are left untreated, this can lead to seriousoral health problems, including increased infection and possible tooth loss.While baby teeth will eventually fall out and be replaced with adult teeth,losing these primary ones can negatively impact a child’s ability to speak andeat. It will also determine how their permanent teeth will erupt.

If you want to make sure your child’s chances for developingtooth decay is lessened, here a few tips you should consider:

• Never give a baby or toddler a bottle when goingto bed. Milk or juice can gather on the gums and lead to decay. If you want togive your child something to drink, opt for water.
• Limit the amount of sugar your child consumes.Too much sugar and starch can cause plaque to develop on the surface of teethand at the gum line. When this happens, the acid found in plaque can begin toeat away at their tooth enamel and cause cavities.

When Should a Child Begin the Process?

While it may not be easy, flossing should start once yourchild’s teeth become more mature and begin to erupt. If your little one hasdifficulties with brushing, flossing may not be an easy feat; however, Dr.Justin and Dr. Sage can provide valuable tips and suggestions as to how best toapproach this new step to make the entire process easier for both you and yourchild.

It’s important that you help your child refine theirtechnique as they grow older, continuing to supervise both brushing andflossing until they are capable of doing it on their own. It is also necessaryto make sure your child continues to see their pediatric dentist every sixmonths to not only receive a full cleaning but also a proper checkup to ensurethere are no signs of decay and gum disease developing.

During these visits, take some time to discuss ways you canhelp your child improve his or her dental hygiene habits at home and if thereare any tools that might be more beneficial to help them achieve better oralhealth.

About the Authors
At Sprout Dentistry for Kids, Dr. Justin Chan and Dr. Sage Yoo believe in the importance of caring for your child’s oral and overall health. Offering comprehensive services to care for the dental needs of all patients, they take pride in providing the highest level of quality care even to the youngest members of your family. From infancy to adulthood, you can trust that your child’s teeth, gums, and overall well-being are in the best hands with Dr. Justin and Dr. Sage. To learn more about our services, visit our website or call (469) 301-3212.