We all know we should floss, but sometimes it's easier said than done. That can go double for kids, since doing any kind of boring chore, even for a long-term gain like healthy teeth, seems so far off.
But keeping your kid cavity-free is an important part of dental health. Here are five tips for getting your child to floss every day.
- Make flossing a regular part of your routine. If your kids do things like read a story every night, then add flossing to the list of stuff that needs to get done before bedtime.
- Create a rewards chart. Simple rewards charts can motivate kids to do chores consistently. Have a fun prize at the end of the month for filling the chart, like a family game night or a trip to a favorite park.
- Try kid flossers. Sometimes using the standard dental floss is hard for little fingers. You can buy brightly colored kids' flossers to make it easier to reach back teeth.
- Play "floss" music. The floss dance is a strange, but fun, kids' dance craze. Leverage that by playing "floss" music where the kids floss their teeth first, then do the floss for you.
- Lead by example. Make it family floss time by flossing together with your kids. When they see you have to do it too, then it's more likely they'll follow.
As your child's pediatric dentist in Tucson, we want to keep your child's smile healthy. If you have any questions for our office, feel free to call us at (520) 544-8522.
About Northwest Children's Pediatric Dentists
Dr. Norman Bunch and Dr. Jennifer Marshall are doctor spouses who have been working as kids dentists in Tucson for years. They have deep ties to Tucson, as well as the surrounding Oro Valley, Marana, Oracle, and other areas. Northwest Children's Dentistry provides top-notch care for toddlers, children, teens, and special needs children. If you’re looking for a general dentist for kids in Tucson, contact us today at (520) 544-8522.