Flossing in Columbia, SC

At home, your child should brush twice a day and floss at least one time each day to ensure that no trapped food is allowed to sit between teeth to cause decay and/or bad breath. The best time to floss is before bedtime teeth brushing. We’re here to teach you easy, proper flossing techniques so that you can floss your kiddo’s teeth well. Later, when your child can floss independently, you can provide good instruction. (Your own flossing may become more effective, to boot!)

DID YOU KNOW?

Research shows that less than 20% of children floss, while the adult statistic is just over 50%.

Many people avoid flossing or only floss a few times a month. Since flossing doesn’t take very long, we believe that most people don’t floss because it feels cumbersome if you don’t know how to do it right. So, we’re happy to teach techniques and provide tips to help you and your children floss effectively and efficiently.

How to Floss Correctly

One of the most important aspects of flossing is selecting the right tools. If wrapping floss around your fingers and using two hands makes you stumble through the job, consider pre-threaded flossers. These small, disposable instruments fit comfortably in the mouth and require just one hand. Their small shape makes them ideal for children’s flossing and for stashing in a pocket or purse.

Floss comes in different flavors. Children don’t usually prefer mint, but fruity flavors are often a big hit. Dental floss and pre-threaded flossers can be purchased in person at a store or online, where the selection is greater.

Floss before bedtime brushing and after meals that tend to leave food between teeth. Here are the steps to flossing your child’s teeth:

• Start at the back of the mouth. Choose right or left, upper or lower arch. Before you’re done, each junction between teeth will be cleaned.
• Slip the floss between the back two molars at the base of the teeth, on the gum line.
• Rub the floss back and forth as you move it up or down both teeth.
• Be sure to floss right at the gum line, but don’t injure your gums by pressing too hard. (Note that if you haven’t flossed regularly, your gums may bleed. This is normal, but it should not continue if you floss daily.)
• Continue moving from junction to junction until every tooth in the mouth has been flossed.
• Rinse the mouth and swish water around. You can use mouthwash at this point if you like.

Deter Gum Disease and Cavities

Gum disease and cavities destroy oral health. Brushing and flossing daily removes the plaque and food debris that contribute to gingivitis and tooth decay. Flossing reaches areas where a toothbrush can’t clean, where plaque hides and irritates gum tissue.

Plaque is a sticky, bacteria-rich substance that naturally develops on our teeth, and ideally, we brush and floss it away daily. When plaque isn’t cleaned away in 48 hours, it calcifies into a hard, smelly, and unhealthy product called tartar or calculus. Tartar is not water-soluble, so it’s difficult to remove at home. Your child’s dental hygienist will remove tartar during dental cleanings.

Your Partners in Good Oral Health

In addition to daily oral hygiene at home, your kiddos need to visit our office every six months for a comprehensive oral exam and dental cleaning. Commonly, we recommend that our young patients have dental sealants applied to protect molars against decay. In addition, fluoride treatments in our office strengthen teeth against decay. Contact us today to schedule your child’s appointment at our Columbia office!