In addition to getting your little one to brush their teeth regularly, Mother is also recommended to teach the use of dental floss to children. Both of these things are important for maintaining oral and dental health.
Regularly brushing your teeth twice a day is necessary to clean your teeth, but a toothbrush is often not enough to remove all the plaque and dirt stuck between your teeth. Dental floss or dental floss needed to remove all the plaque and dirt that the toothbrush cannot reach.
Benefits of Using Dental Floss for Children
Dental floss can be used to prevent tooth decay, bad breath, and children's gum disorders. Ideally, children use dental floss every night or at least 2 times a week. It is recommended that you use dental floss after brushing your teeth.
Mothers can start teaching your little one to use dental floss at the age of 2-3 years. However, you should still supervise your little one when using dental floss, until he is 8-9 years old.
Things to Pay Attention to when Teaching the Use of Dental Floss
To teach your little one to use dental floss, there are several things you need to pay attention to, namely:
Do a simple test
Before starting to teach your little one to use dental floss, you can do a simple test first. This is done to help determine whether the child is ready to be taught to use dental floss.
If you see a small gap between your baby's teeth, then he is ready to use dental floss. On the other hand, if there is no small gap between your little one's teeth, then it's not time for him to use dental floss.
Mothers can also consult a dentist first before teaching your little one to use dental floss.
Use dental floss with a stick (floss sticks)
To make it easier for children to use, choose yarn that has a stick or floss sticks. Dental floss can be purchased at pharmacies or supermarkets. This form of dental floss is easier to grip and children don't need to wrap the floss around their fingers.
Teach the use of dental floss slowly
When your little one is ready, you can start teaching him how to use dental floss correctly. Here are the steps:
- Hold the floss tightly with your thumb and forefinger, while slowly tucking the floss between your teeth.
- Rub the dental floss in a C pattern.
- Move the floss up and down slowly.
- Do this movement alternately on the other teeth.
At the beginning of using dental floss, your little one's gums may bleed. This is normal and will go away on its own. However, if after a few days the gums still bleed every time you use dental floss, you should take your little one to the dentist for an examination.
