Bathroom Break: How to Get Kids in the Habit of Flossing

Your children likely already know they need to brush their teeth every day. They probably also know flossing is important, but this is a task many children don't want to take the time to do, and not doing so could lead to more cavities than you realize. 

 
Luckily, there are a few tips to get kids into the habit of flossing, even if they find it less than appealing.

On The Couch

Flossing doesn't have to be something done in the bathroom. While children are watching television or sitting around after school, give them some floss, and tell them to get to work. It will give them something to do and give them some much needed practice without a mirror.

Charts

This is something that can help younger children see when it's time to floss. Create a chart with each day of the week on it. If your kids floss each day, they get a sticker. When there are a certain number of stickers, then perhaps they can qualify for a prize. There are charts online you can print, or you can draw something more basic on a piece of construction paper.

 
Make Flossing Fun

In order for some kids to learn, they need something fun to go along with the task. Sing a song about brushing and flossing. Tell a story about the bacteria that live in the mouth and how flossing helps to get rid of it using good and evil characters. You can also play a game while flossing, such as counting the teeth, or counting to see how long it takes to floss.

Supplies

If children have their own supplies, they might be more willing to perform the task on their own. Get them a small container to hold a toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss so they don't have to share with others at home. This could also be used for soap, shampoo, and conditioner. Items should be easy for children to hold and colorful and fun to use. Ask your dentist or periodontal specialist about getting colorful floss string or hooks to help get you started.

Children learn from experience. If they don't practice flossing, then they usually won't understand how important it is for their teeth. These are only a few ideas that can be used with children of any age to get them to take better care of the teeth.