Flossing and Children

Flossing teeth should start when your child has at least two adjacent teeth. This is often around age 2 to 3. Always floss under the direction of your child's dentist or doctor. Before this age, flossing is not needed. Children often need help with flossing until they are ages 10 to 11. 

The importance of flossing

Brushing teeth correctly and consistently helps remove most dental plaque. But brushing alone can't remove plaque that's in places that a toothbrush can't reach. This includes in between the teeth and under the gums. In addition to removing plaque, flossing also helps to:

• Remove debris that sticks to teeth between the teeth and under the gums.
• Polish tooth surfaces.
• Control bad breath.

Your child should floss at least once a day for 2 to 3 minutes each time to be most effective.

Types of dental floss

Regular, consistent flossing is the single most important weapon against plaque. It may be more important than the toothbrush. The different types of dental floss include:

• Waxed and unwaxed.
• Flavored and unflavored.
• Wide and regular.
• Textured and smooth.

Flossing methods

Your child's dentist or doctor can show you and your child how to floss. Methods include the:

• Spool method (also called the finger-wrap method).
• Loop method (also called the circle method).

Other flossing methods

Flossing tools are also available, such as a prethreaded flosser or floss holder. These may be helpful for people who are just learning how to floss. They may also help children with limited dexterity in their arms or hands. Or they may be helpful if you are flossing your child's teeth.

Oral irrigators or water flossers are not a substitute for brushing and flossing. These devices may help clean around braces where food sticks or in areas a toothbrush can't reach. But they don't generally remove film and plaque on the teeth.