Children Should Floss, Too!

Posted April 5, 2021

Even parents who make sure their kids brush every single night and morning may be lax in flossing. But just like grownups, children need to floss their teeth every single evening. In today’s blog, your Dallas, TX, pediatric dentist will explain how to properly floss and help your little ones enjoy their healthiest, brightest smile.

What Happens to Food Caught Between Teeth?

When kids eat and drink, this leaves behind miniscule particles caught between the teeth. Even if they brush, this could fail to remove all of them, and the ones stuck between the teeth could be broken down by bacteria. Over time, the process elevates oral acidity, causes a bad odor, and coats the teeth in plaque, a bacterial byproduct. Plaque buildup is impossible to remove with brushing alone, and will weaken outer enamel and inflame gum tissues to cause a greater risk of tooth decay and gingivitis. For children, cavities could mean discomfort, the risk of infection, or even premature tooth loss, a factor in the onset of misalignment.

Pick or Tape?

When kids floss every evening before bed, they have a chance to remove all of the particles beyond the reach of their toothbrushes. Care should start as soon as teeth sit side-by-side. You may have to clean in between the teeth for your kids in the baby and early toddler years, and monitor and assist as they grow older. A floss pick is easy to use for kids in the early ages, and they can upgrade to tape once their dexterity improves. Run the floss up and down each side of every tooth, dipping below the gum line when you do. These actions extract the trapped particles, improving overall oral health!

Keeping Smiles Clean

Brushing and flossing your little one’s teeth helps lower the risk of poor oral health, but children should still see us every six months for a cleaning. A dental cleaning is the only way to remove all plaque and tartar that has accumulated on the teeth, protecting the health of both the teeth and gums. The process is quick, and also helps fight bad breath and stained teeth. If you have any questions about keeping little smiles clean and strong, or if you would like to schedule a visit for your child, then please contact our team today.

Ready to See Us for Your Child’s Exam?

We want to make sure your kids continue to enjoy their best possible smile, even between our checkup and cleaning visits! To learn about better homecare habits of your little ones, then  by calling Pediatric Dental Care at Casa Linda in Dallas, TX today at 214-321-4880. We proudly serve patients who live around Casa Linda and all surrounding Dallas communities.