A toothbrush cannot reach the gap between two teeth that touch. So once your child's teeth touch each other, parents should start cleaning between the teeth.
- A toothbrush cannot reach the gap between two teeth that touch, so children need floss to clean there.
- Start when two teeth touch each other, usually around two to three years old.
- A floss holder with a Y shaped handle is usually easier for small children, and flossing should be gentle to avoid hurting the gums.
- Parents should floss for the child until the child can do it alone.
Many parents brush their child's teeth very carefully yet still find decay in the gap between two teeth. The reason is that the toothbrush cannot get into these gaps, and only dental floss can clean the plaque there.
When does a child need floss?
There is no fixed age. The sign to start is that two teeth now touch each other, usually among the baby molars at around two to three years old. If wide gaps remain between the teeth, floss is not yet needed. See also what decay between teeth is and why it is hard to detect.
Which type is easier to use?
- For small children, parents should use a floss holder (a Y shaped pick) so it is easier to manage in a small mouth.
- Soft, thin floss with no sharp edges so it does not cut the gum.
- Avoid types with strong flavours or toy designs, so your child does not bite or swallow them.
How to floss a child
- Stand behind your child, or lay them with their head on your lap, so you can see well.
- Pass the floss gently between two teeth in a sideways motion, then curve it around the side of each tooth.
- Slide it up and down a few times without pressing hard on the gum.
- Do it once a day, ideally before bed after brushing.
You may also read how to floss properly and the common mistakes.
Tips so it does not hurt
- Be gentle and never snap the floss between the teeth.
- The gums may bleed slightly the first few times if inflamed, and this lessens after a few days of proper flossing.
- Make flossing a cheerful habit and do not force your child.
- Parents should do it for the child until the child can manage alone, see at what age children can brush on their own.
When should you visit Ky Hoa Dental Clinic?
If your child often has food stuck in one gap, the floss frays or the gum bleeds despite flossing, bring your child for a check. Nha Khoa Ky Hoa is at 266A - 268, 3 Thang 2 Street, Hoa Hung Ward, Ho Chi Minh City. Parents can walk in during opening hours, or call the hotline 028.3868.1097 to ask about quieter times first.
Frequently asked questions
At what age can a child start flossing?
There is no fixed age. Once two teeth touch each other, usually around two to three years old, parents should start cleaning between the teeth.
Which type of floss is easiest for children?
A floss holder with a Y shaped handle is usually easier to manage in a small mouth. Choose soft, thin floss so it does not cut the gum.
Is it a problem if the gums bleed when flossing a child?
A little bleeding may occur in the first few times if the gums are inflamed, and it eases. If it lasts, have your child checked.