{"id":257,"date":"2020-09-23T21:32:19","date_gmt":"2020-09-23T21:32:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.laithdentistry.com\/blog\/?p=257"},"modified":"2020-09-23T21:32:19","modified_gmt":"2020-09-23T21:32:19","slug":"san-antonio-pediatric-dentist-when-should-chilren-start-flossing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.laithdentistry.com\/blog\/2020\/09\/san-antonio-pediatric-dentist-when-should-chilren-start-flossing\/","title":{"rendered":"When Are Children Supposed to Start Flossing?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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It\u2019s common knowledge that regular flossing is an important part of keeping your pearly whites beautiful and intact. However, when should you start teaching your child this healthy habit? Can they start too early or late? Your child\u2019s baby teeth play a key role in their long-term oral development, so it\u2019s essential that you teach them how to practice great oral hygiene early in life. Read on as your San Antonio pediatric dentist<\/a> explains when your son or daughter should start flossing to keep their growing smile healthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

When Should I Begin Teaching My Child to Floss?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A baby tooth is vulnerable to cavities as soon as it erupts, which is why parents should start brushing those tiny pearly whites as soon as they appear. However, you don\u2019t need to start flossing your child\u2019s teeth until they have two that are beginning to fit closely together. This can be quite early, so it\u2019s a good idea for you to floss their teeth for them until you\u2019re confident they can do it themselves effectively. Most children are able to floss their own teeth by six or seven years old, sometimes earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Is It Important for Children to Start Flossing So Early?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s no secret that flossing isn\u2019t one of the most popular healthy habits for both kids and adults alike. However, it\u2019s the only way to clean out plaque, bacteria, and food debris from areas of the mouth that a toothbrush can\u2019t reach. Since baby teeth have thinner enamel than permanent teeth, they\u2019re particularly vulnerable to the harmful particles that build up between them. Teaching your child to start flossing so early in life will:<\/p>\n\n\n\n