Blog

As adults, we know how important it is to floss our teeth every day along with brushing them. This is equally important for our children as well. When it comes to teaching kids dental floss importance, it can sometimes be a struggle. 

It’s hard enough getting them to brush their teeth, and you might have even had to hold them down a time or two. Try to remember back to when you were their age and how much you couldn’t stand the thought of spending 2 whole minutes of your time brushing your teeth. 

It’s hard for the little ones to understand why it must be done, but if you’re able to explain the importance of flossing to them, they might be more inclined to do so. If you feel like throwing in the towel and giving up on forcing your children to floss, then you’ll want to continue reading below.

Here’s everything you need to know about why your kids need to floss each day!

1. Sensitive Gums and Gum Disease 

The less flossing your children do, the more prone their gums are to sensitivity and disease. In the long run, not flossing can lead to the desire to not brush either. This is because as their gums become sensitive, it’ll be painful for them to even brush their teeth. 

If their gums begin to bleed when they brush their teeth, then this is an early sign of possible gum disease. Not only will the blood scare your children away from brushing, but it could also mean gingivitis. If you notice any of these problems, then it’s always best to bring your children to the dentist for an oral examination. 

Proper brushing and flossing on a daily basis will prevent these issues from arising and keep your children’s’ mouths healthy. 

2. Health Problems Associated With Gum Disease

When gum disease isn’t treated properly, it can lead to other health problems as well. Some of these health problems include heart disease, diabetes, and more. The good news is that all of these health issues can be easily avoided if your children begin practicing healthy brushing and flossing routines today.

Not only will you keep your children’s mouths healthy today, but you’ll keep your children’s overall health in good standing for the future. 

3. Cavities and Plaque Buildup 

Plaque easily and quickly builds up in between teeth. Children with teeth close together or touching are more susceptible to plaque build-up in between teeth. Without flossing, this plaque can’t be removed. 

As days, weeks, and months go by without proper flossing, the plaque continues to build and eventually leads to cavities. The plaque can also break down tooth enamel and lead to gum disease as well. It’s not always easy to notice plaque between teeth, because its color is oftentimes similar to the color of the teeth.

This is why it’s important to have your children floss each day, even if their teeth don’t appear to have plaque. 

4. Bad Habits in Adult Years

If you don’t start teaching your children healthy oral hygiene habits now, they’ll continue to have these bad habits in their adult years. It’s always best to start teaching your children how to properly care for their teeth at a young age. Not only does this create good habits that they can carry with them throughout life, but it allows them to become used to it. 

If your two-year-old is used to flossing his or her teeth every day, then when he or she becomes a ten-year-old, a twenty-year-old, and so on, he or she will be used to the feel of flossing. 

5. Plaque Left by the Toothbrush

Brushing teeth with a toothbrush only does so much. It’s still essential to brush your children’s teeth every day, but flossing is essential as well. Flossing will ensure that any plaque left behind from the toothbrush is removed. 

A lot of the plaque in your children’s mouths is located in those hard-to-reach areas (such as between touching teeth). These are all areas that a toothbrush alone cannot reach. Flossing is the only way to get into these hard-to-reach areas and clean them out. 

6. Costly Dental Procedures

If your children don’t start taking care of their teeth now, then there’s a large possibility that you’ll be hit with costly dental procedures down the road. Help them keep their teeth healthy, and you won’t have to worry as much about these complex procedures to correct dental problems. 

7. Smelly Breath 

Smelly breath might not be the worst thing that comes from bad dental hygiene, but it is an embarrassment for them. Remember that your children are still young and don’t necessarily understand why we must do all the things we do in our every-day lives. Just as you struggle to brush their hair each morning and get them dressed even when they don’t want to, you need to enforce flossing as well.

When flossing is avoided and food particles and plaque build-up, bacteria grows as well, causing smelly breath.

You don’t want to send your children to daycare or school with yucky smelly breath. Keep your little ones happy and healthy with amazing dental hygiene by having them floss each day. 

Get Your Kids Dental Floss Today!

It’s time to get your kids some dental floss today! If you don’t already own a few awesome dental floss options, then consider heading to the store and allowing your children to pick out their own dental floss. 

There are plenty of fun dental-floss options for kids and they’ll be sure to find one they love! 

Do your kids need a visit with the dentist to get them started on the right track to good dental hygiene? 

Click here to schedule an appointment today!