3 Strategies to Help Your Child Learn to Brush and Floss Well

Dental health is a significant part of your child’s wellness, and nothing supports it like effective brushing and flossing. While many parents struggle with implementing these habits, you can take steps to make the process easier.

Our expert team at Swinney Dental in Tyler, Texas, provides caring and effective pediatric care, including preventive dentistry, for kids of all ages.

Let’s take a closer look at brushing and flossing, including strategies to help your child do both well.

Benefits of brushing and flossing

Helping your child learn positive brushing and flossing habits provides many benefits, from healthy smile development to a lower risk of cavities, tooth discoloration, infections, and tooth loss into adulthood. Brushing and flossing are also linked with a reduced risk for gum disease, which affects over 45% of adults and may play a role in heart disease.

These perks mean fewer visits to the dentist and a lower likelihood of intense treatments. And because tooth discoloration and treatments, like visible crowns, can make a child self-conscious about their smile, positive dental hygiene may help protect their self-esteem.

Teaching your child how to brush and floss well

Teaching your child how to brush their teeth and floss properly is a positive and fulfilling experience. To help ensure success, consider these strategies:

1. Set a positive example

The best way to encourage brushing and flossing habits is to display them yourself. Make tooth care a family affair by engaging in the habits together.

Meanwhile, keep your attitude positive. If you treat brushing and flossing like bothersome chores, your child is likely to as well. Show excitement and positivity, and praise your child for brushing and flossing well done.

2. Teach them the proper technique

Kids two and up should use a pea-sized dollop of toothpaste to brush their teeth. Show them how to add the paste, then monitor them once they’re ready to take over. Teach your child to spit the toothpaste out after brushing to avoid permanent fluoride stains.

As far as technique, have your child move the brush back and forth in tooth-sized strokes. Then, teach them to floss up and down, moving the string gently below the gum line in a slightly C-shaped motion. If it’s easier, they can use flossers, applying the same technique. Like you, they should brush twice each day and floss once daily.