Dental Floss Picks

You should start flossing your child’s teeth as soon as they begin to touch each other. Once your child starts to take over the responsibility themselves, it can be a challenge for children to effectively clean between their teeth. Performing the proper flossing technique can be hard for even adults, but dental floss picks make this task much more manageable for tiny hands. A floss pick is a U-shaped piece of plastic with a handle. 

A small piece of floss is strung from each open end of the U-shape. Floss picks are great for people with mobility issues or kids who are still developing fine motor skills. All users have to do is hold onto the handle and gently wedge the floss section between the teeth. However, since flossers use a tiny piece of floss to clean between each tooth, it is important to rinse off the floss pick off several times while using, and dispose after use. 

Set a Timer

The American Dental Association recommends that patients brush their teeth twice a day for at least two minutes at a time. While that may seem simple enough, most people are not brushing for long enough. According to the Academy of General Dentistry, the average person only brushes their teeth for 45-70 seconds a day. Setting a timer is an easy way to ensure your child gets in the habit of brushing for a full two minutes. If a timer is a little too boring for your child, try playing a two-minute song or video for your child to brush along with. 

Try Out an Electric Toothbrush 

Over 130 million Americans currently use an electric toothbrush. That is over ⅓ of the population! So, why are these toothbrushes so popular? Many patients find that it is easier to efficiently clean their smile with an electric toothbrush and their smile feels cleaner after using one than a manual toothbrush session. A Cochrane Library study found that consistent electric toothbrush use reduces plaque build-up significantly more than manual toothbrush use. Next time your child needs a new toothbrush, try out an electric toothbrush to see if it works for your child’s smile. 

Mark Your Calendar

Toothbrushes don’t last forever! After a few hundred uses, the bristles break down, making them less effective at cleaning your smile. Toothbrushes (or toothbrush heads for electric toothbrushes) should be replaced every 3 to 4 months. It can be hard to remember the last time your child’s toothbrush, so it is wise to note it on your calendar. Mark three months past the date you replaced your child’s toothbrush with a reminder to switch it out.

 Get a Tongue Scraper 

Your mouth is home to 20 billion bacteria that reproduce every five hours. The tongue provides an ideal home for these bacteria to fester. A tongue scraper can remove harmful bacteria from the mouth and prevent them from migrating to the teeth. As a bonus, people who use tongue scrapers tend to have fresher breath. Remind your child to scrape their tongue every time they brush their teeth. 

Use a Mouthwash (Age 6+ Only!) 

Did you know toothbrushes only clean about 60% of tooth surfaces? The other 40% require tools, such as floss and antiseptic mouthwash, to clean. A recent study found that certain brands of mouthwash are 4.6x more effective than floss for plaque reduction. Although this does not mean you should toss the floss away, it does show that implementing mouthwash into your child’s oral hygiene routine can significantly reduce plaque buildup and tooth decay. It is best to use mouthwash right before brushing to remove excess food particles from the teeth and lessen bacteria growth. Please note that mouthwash is only safe for children aged 6 and older.