Every parent knows how hard it is to get their kid to brush their teeth, but it is another battle to get them to brush their teeth well. However, brushing is just as important as flossing, which is why you want to make sure they are doing it frequently and correctly as well. Here are some things you need to know about your children and their flossing habits.
What Kind Of Floss Should You Use?
Flossing your child's can be quite challenging, which is why you should consider using a floss pick. It is the easiest way to get the floss in their mouth without having to reach inside it with your fingers. If your child's teeth are really close together, you can use dental floss that is super thin and will glide better between their teeth. It will cost more money for this type of dental floss, but it can be worth it to get them to floss their teeth.
What Is The Correct Technique For Flossing Your Kids Teeth?
You want to pay close attention to the teeth that have grown in and are touching since that is the prime spot where plaque is going to form. You can put some pressure on the floss pick until it pushes through and gets between the two teeth. Use a back and forth motion so that the floss rubs against each tooth and removes the plaque away from their gums. Be sure to go into the pocket of the gums to remove the plaque that could be hidden inside. Remove the floss pick after cleaning one side of the tooth, clean off the plaque, and then repeat the clean the other tooth in the same gap. Demonstrating this behavior is going to be the best way that your kid learns how to floss properly.
Is Bleeding Normal When Flossing?
It is not normal for the gums to bleed when you are flossing your teeth. However, bleeding may be more common when the gums have not been flossed frequently and are not used to the sensation of having dental floss rub against them. Over time, the gums will experience less bleeding as you floss more often. If the teeth and gums are free of plaque, the gums will be less irritated as well.
Reach out to a family dentist service if you have questions about a young child and their flossing habits. They will be more than happy to give you some tips during their next checkup.
Our oral surgery and general dental website offers important information on how to prevent dry socket following a tooth extraction. After getting your tooth pulled, a protective blood clot develops over the extraction site. Many of our blog posts explain how this protective clot helps promote healing after an extraction.
You'll learn that if the clot is accidentally dislodged, dry socket may occur, which can raise your risk for infection and heavy bleeding. We'll provide you with important tips on how to prevent this by avoiding smoking and drinking through a straw. You'll also learn that swishing water around your mouth should be avoided for a couple of days following your extraction because doing so creates a suction that may dislodge your clot, leading to dry socket.