The Right Kind of Floss for Your Child

Flossing is a vital part of a good oral hygiene routine for both adults and children. However, a recently published study found that only 4 out of every 10 Americans floss daily. Many people believe that brushing alone is good enough to keep their teeth clean and healthy. However, your toothbrush is unable to reach between the teeth, leaving these areas vulnerable to plaque buildup, tooth decay, and dental cavities.

Right Type of Floss for Your Child

Everyone is different, which means that every mouth is different. Luckily there’s a type of floss for the needs of each person:

• If your child’s teeth fit tightly together – Teeth that are tightly bunched together can make it hard to fit floss through the gaps. We recommend using waxed floss, which is thinner and will glide more easily through the tighter spots between the teeth.
• If your child has large gaps in their teeth – For teeth that have larger gaps, dental tape is a great solution for reaching between these spaces. Dental tape is wider than typical floss, which makes it easier for your child to reach the right areas of the teeth.
• If your child has a varied spacing of the teeth – If your child has large gaps between some teeth and other teeth that fight tightly together, you may want to consider trying Ultra-Floss. Ultra-Floss can stretch thin enough to fit between tight spaced, but wide enough to clean between larger gaps.
• If your child wears orthodontic braces – Lastly, if your child has orthodontic braces, flossing may take a few extra steps. Children with braces can use a floss threader which is made especially for those who wear braces. Your child’s orthodontist will provide you with these special tools and instructions on how to care for your child’s teeth during his or her orthodontic treatment.

No matter what type of floss you choose for the needs of your child, the most important thing is that you’re teaching him or her to floss every day. Your child may need help at first, so they can learn how to floss properly.

For more tips on caring for your child’s teeth, please make an appointment with Dr. Naomi Lane here at Piedmont Pediatric Dentistry. Our children’s dental office is located in Greensboro, North Carolina.