Triangle Pediatric Dentistry

This blog is intended to educate and make readers a little more informed about topics related to pediatric dentistry. All of the information contained here should be considered to be my opinion only and you may find others that have opinions that differ from mine. I will discuss topics in broad terms and the information should not be taken as a diagnosis or treatment recommendation for any condition that your child may have. If you have a specific question about a dental condition that your child may have then you should discuss it directly during an office visit with a pediatric dentist. -Dr. Buddy

Flossing for children

September 10 2010

Many parents ask me, “Do I need to floss my toddler’s teeth“? The answer is yes! Flossing is perhaps the most overlooked part of keeping a child’s teeth clean, one that is critically important in preventing cavities. Flossing is important because it enables you to clean between the teeth where the toothbrush cannot reach and where many cavities start. Once the primary teeth (baby teeth) begin to touch together it is necessary to begin flossing a child’s teeth. Sometimes this is as early as when the front four teeth come in (around 10 months), but for some children with more spacing in between their teeth the teeth do not necessarily need to be flossed until the back molars come in and begin to touch together (around 2 years of age).

With younger toddlers and preschool aged children the easiest way to floss their teeth is with a floss stick. These can be purchased at any drug store, grocery store, etc. Big adult hands and small mouths can make flossing the back molars very difficult. Floss sticks allow you to get floss in between children’s back teeth without having to stick your hands all the way to the back of their mouths. We recommend that parents floss their children’s teeth until they are able to tie their own shoes (tying shoes demonstrates that children have the abilities with their hands to floss correctly).

The key to flossing a young child’s teeth is going to be the flossing position. If you have two people available to help with flossing then that is ideal. Two people can floss a child’s teeth in the knee to knee position. The two adults should sit facing each other with their knees almost touching. The child can sit in one adult’s lap facing them. Then, the child can be leaned back onto the lap of the other adult providing easy access for flossing (and brushing). If there is just one adult available for flossing then you can try to have your child lie down on a bed with his/her head in your lap. Another alternative is to have your child sit with his/her body between your legs and his/her head tilted back into your arms. Click here to see a knee to knee demonstration (at the 1:28 mark on the video).

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