How Can I Convince My Child to Floss?
Teaching a child to floss has got to be one of the more difficult tasks in life. The small hands and short attention spans make it frustrating to establish this habit. If you don’t want to give into the frustration, we’ll give you a few tips to make it a little easier (for both of you).
Create Positive Associations
- Paul S. Bell, D.D.S Inc. in Victorville, CA knows that half the battle is just getting your child to associate an act with something positive. Instead of mandating flossing or punishing them if they don’t, try a different tactic. This could mean flossing with them, putting on their favorite song, or buying a brightly colored floss that tastes great. You can even set up a rewards system, so the child can work toward a larger goal.
Give In a Little
Being too rigid about flossing isn’t recommended when it comes to the values you impart to your child. For instance, you might have heard that traditional floss is the best route to cleaner teeth. While this is true, the floss picks may be easier on your child’s hands. Your goal is to get them to care about their teeth, so it’s perfectly acceptable to compromise at this age.
Finding the Right Dentist
If you’re looking for a pediatric dentist in Victorville, CA, Dr. Bell is known for helping parents get their little ones on the right path in life. Flossing is an important part of maintaining your teeth and preventing future problems, and it’s invaluable for kids to make it a part of their routine now. If you’re looking for a dentist who specializes in young people, contact us today to schedule an appointment.
