It’s not always easy teaching your kids how to take care of their teeth. There are so many factors involved: how to hold the toothbrush, the proper technique, how much pressure is enough, how not to swallow the paste and so forth. To make matters worse, brushing is only half the battle – flossing is often the hardest habit to teach your kids when they’re young, but it’s also very important. Luckily, we have some tips to make it easier on you and fun for them.
Lead By Example
Your kids look up to you, not only because you’re their parent but also because you’re an adult. So one of the easiest ways to teach your kids to floss is to lead by example. Show them how you remove the floss, wrap it around your fingers, and then let them watch you move it between your teeth. Kids learn best by observing others, so if you take care of your oral health, they will be motivated to follow in your footsteps.
Do it for Them
Until they get the hang of it, you should help your kids floss their teeth. All you need to do is wrap the floss around your child’s middle finger and then demonstrate how to floss by gently sliding the floss in between their teeth and using a back and forth motion. Don’t forget to explain the proper method and show them the “c” shape that is necessary to get rid of the plaque near and under the gumline.
Remind Them
Most kids won’t floss on their own. You will need to remind them daily to floss their teeth. If you want to keep both you and your child motivated, create a flossing chart that you can put in the bathroom to track their progress.
Offer a Reward
You can make flossing more interesting for your kids by promising an award if they floss for a certain number of days in a row. Just remember to present only healthy prizes since candy or junk food will only defeat the purpose.
Ask Your Dentist to Demonstrate
There’s no one better equipped to teach your kids the proper dental habits than an expert. Make an appointment with your dentist and ask if they can demonstrate this for your child.
At Teal Umbrella, we believe it’s vital to start your child’s oral routine at an early age. This ensures that they carry over those habits well into their adulthood. However, most adults don’t know how to properly floss their own teeth. That’s where we can help. At Teal Umbrella, our dentists will show you the proper techniques necessary to teach your children how to floss. Contact us to book your next appointment!
