I know it probably sounds stupid, but me, my brother and my sister NEVER flossed when we were kids, and yet none of us ever had any cavities. My brother and sister still don't have any now and they still never floss.
How many parents actually do floss their kids teeth? I've done a lot of babysitting etc, and none of the kids I've ever come across floss either and they don't have fillings.
2006-06-08 04:38:19 · 19 answers · asked by Jen 5 in Health ➔ Dental
Yes kids need to floss. But most kids don't have the manual dexterity to brush well, much less floss correctly. It is up to the parents to aid the child in doing this. But most parents don't floss themselves, so how are they going to help their kids? The earlier you introduce flossing to a child, the more likely they are to continue it as they get older. The age that flossing should be taught to a child depends on his/her maturity. I have a three-year-old patient that loves to brush her teeth and she loves coming to the office to get her teeth cleaned (isn't she precious?). So I always give her these kid flossers from Oral-B that come in different shapes and colors that kids like, you use them once and throw them away. I make sure her mom knows how she should use them, and the little girl just loves them. On the other hand, I have an eight-year-old patient that doesn't even brush her teeth daily, so how can I expect her to floss daily?
Most people don't realize the importance of flossing until it's too late, and they are losing teeth to periodontal disease. Periodontitis is the number one cause of tooth loss, not decay. Everyone says, "Well, I don't floss, and I've never had a cavity." That's great that they don't have cavities, but what about gingivitis and periodontitis?
So, yes it's important that children learn to floss at an early age. Parents play a big part in it though. And when so many parents have trouble just getting their kids to brush, they don't want to deal with flossing.
2006-06-08 05:22:59 · answer #1 · answered by ShortyDH 3 · 6⤊ 0⤋
Kids need to floss just like everyone else does. It doesn't matter how old you are we all benefit from flossing everyday. Flossing is the only way to get the food/plaque/bacteria out from in between your teeth, a no flossing habit will catch up with you eventually it always does.
2006-06-08 06:19:31 · answer #2 · answered by jojo8 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
no one flosses much less kids. this is why dentists drive such nice cars and live in such big houses and only work 4 days a week. dentistry would almost cease to exist if people flossed.
i promise you that your brother and sister's lack of flossing will catch up with them. these things take years to develop.
KIDS ABSOLUTELY NEED TO FLOSS. IF YOU TEACH THEM NOW, THEN THEY WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE GOOD HABITS IN THE FUTURE.
are you the boss of your kids or are you one of those wuss parents that lets their kids have their way all the time? if you have to strap your kid to a chair and use a mouth prop then do it.
flossing is second only to a shower for daily personal hygiene. remember your mouth is part of the same hollow tube as your ***.
2006-06-08 04:42:19 · answer #3 · answered by tomh311 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i am a kid i am 11 i think you should floss you might not get any cativties if you don't floss but the floss gets food out the small bits of food and the big bits plus some floss makes your breath smell really nice
2006-06-11 23:39:44 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No I never but brush 2-3 times daily and use an interdental brush (I've got braces) and toothbrush cleaning fluid as well as mouthwash. I probably will floss when I'm older. What's the point of it now? I don't think I need 2. If ne1 knows y I shud plz contact me!
2006-06-08 04:44:06 · answer #5 · answered by comostreet 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I say yes, it helps loosen the particles of food in between your teeth. I floss at least every other day. It was something my parents did and expected us to do. We had annual dental visits and believe me my dentist made sure we were flossing.
My daughter is 6 and she flosses.
2006-06-08 04:42:15 · answer #6 · answered by shae 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Depending on your ages they probably did not have flossing then.
But it is important that the children start young so when they get older they will do it automatically, which is the done thing in this day and age.
2006-06-08 04:48:33 · answer #7 · answered by didymum 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes children should floss but it is not easy to get them to ..... some children and adults are lucky ..... but flossing isnt something i stress with mine yet cause they are too young to try to get them to understand the concept
2006-06-08 04:44:59 · answer #8 · answered by silent_crys_of_the_damned 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
not many dentist promote the idea to parents to get their kids flossing.
2006-06-08 04:43:57 · answer #9 · answered by lonely as a cloud 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, kids need to floss. helps get rid of bacteria and stuff
2006-06-08 04:41:07 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋