It’s important to start oral hygiene at an early age. Learning good oral hygiene habits at a young age can help provide beneficial and successful results in the long run. You can teach your child how to properly care for their smile by caring for their teeth and gums each day. Dr. Neal Smith and our Central Washington Pediatric Dentistry team would like to help you do so by giving you the instructions you need to properly floss your child’s chompers:
-Step 1: Hold a short length of floss between the thumb and index finger and then wind the rest of the floss equally around one or both fingers to gain better control. Then, gently push the floss between each tooth but be careful not to apply too much pressure. Applying too much pressure can harm or damage the gums.
-Step 2: When you have the floss between two teeth, adjust it into a “C” shape and curve it around each tooth. Slide it up and down along the side of each tooth and under the gumline—just make sure you are extremely gentle as you do so.
-Step 3: Remember to use a new section of floss as you move from tooth to tooth. That way, you won’t risk reinserting the plaque or food particles that you removed previously.
For more information about brushing, rinsing, or additional oral hygiene techniques in Yakima, Washington, please call our office today. Your dentist will also be able to demonstrate proper oral hygiene techniques in person if you schedule an appointment at your earliest convenience. We look forward to hearing from you!
