Children’s Dentist: Why Your Kids Need to Floss and Brush Their Teeth
Getting kids to clean their teeth can be a hassle — but when parents explain why flossing and brushing matter, children are far more willing to build the habit. Here are the reasons a children’s dentist wants every kid to brush and floss daily.
If you ask a children’s dentist what the most common oral care routines are, they will probably mention flossing and brushing. However, getting kids to clean their teeth can sometimes be a hassle. If parents can explain the importance to them, they might be more keen to do so.
Why flossing and brushing is important
The following are reasons that children need to brush and floss their teeth every day.
Prevent gum disease and sensitivity
When children fail to brush and floss regularly, their gums will be prone to sensitivity and disease. This may cause pain and discourage them from brushing completely. If their gums bleed when brushing or flossing, then they are dealing with the early stage of gum disease, called gingivitis. Once these signs set in, parents need to take their kids to the children’s dentist for examination and treatment. Proper flossing and brushing daily can help prevent these issues and keep the child’s mouth healthy.
Prevent cavities and plaque buildup
Plaque builds up easily and quickly in between teeth. As days go by without flossing and brushing, the plaque will eventually harden into tartar and may cause cavities. Plaque can also cause the enamel to deteriorate, which may eventually cause premature loss of primary teeth.
Form good habits for adult years
if children do not cultivate good oral hygiene habits, they may struggle with it when they grow older. Parents should teach their kids how to properly care for their teeth at a young age. When they are adults, they will be used to flossing and brushing their teeth every day.
Remove particles from between the teeth
After brushing, kids need to learn to follow it up with flossing. Most of the plaque in the mouth builds up in hard-to-reach areas. Flossing removes plaque and particles from between the teeth and areas that are inaccessible by the toothbrush.
Prevent costly dental procedures
If children do not get proactive about their caring for their teeth now, there is a high risk of them developing an oral condition that might necessitate costly dental treatments down the line. Keeping their teeth clean can prevent most oral health issues.
Bad breath
Lousy breath may not be the worst consequence of poor oral hygiene, but it can certainly cause embarrassment for the child. Parents must remember that they are young and may not comprehend why some activities are necessary. When children forget to brush and floss and food particles and plaque accumulate in their mouth, the bacteria in their mouth multiply, causing a foul odor.
Parents also ask.
Bleeding gums are usually a sign of gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease. Once that sign appears, the child should be examined and treated, and a consistent daily brushing and flossing routine is what keeps it from coming back. If you are seeing blood on the brush, call or text us at (760) 730-3456 and we will get your child checked.
Yes, because most plaque builds up in the tight spaces between teeth that a toothbrush cannot reach. Flossing removes the plaque and food particles hiding there before they can harden into tartar and cause cavities. Brushing alone leaves those in-between surfaces uncleaned.
Explaining why it matters is often what wins kids over; children who understand what brushing and flossing prevent are far more willing to build the habit. Start teaching proper technique at a young age so daily care feels automatic by the time they are older. It can also help to frame it around things kids care about, like avoiding the embarrassment of bad breath.
Want the deeper answers? Dr. Tsai answers the 20 questions parents ask most in our Comprehensive FAQ.