Trying to figure out what kind of floss to use for your child can be tough. There are so many options available that it can get confusing in knowing how to determine what is the best floss for your child. We are going to break down the difference between kid flossers and those that are designed for adults.
To be honest there isn’t too much of a difference between floss for children and adult flossers. Flossers for kids can tend to be more colorful and look more appealing to children which can be a big plus, especially in encouraging your child to floss.
But at the end of the day, floss is floss.
Types of Floss
- Classic floss string
- Floss sticks
- Angled flosser or floss pick
Classic Floss String
Classic floss string whether it be flavored or unflavored is our preferred choice as it is the most effective flosser to use. But for children, especially younger children, it is very difficult to use. A parent’s hand is too big to get into their tiny little mouths especially around the molars.
Floss Sticks
Floss sticks are not typically marketed for children. The pro on these type of flossers is that it is a bit more environmentally conscious, since it has a much smaller plastic head that we have to dispense. Although with children it might be difficult to keep track of where they left it, since it is a bit small.
Angled flossers or floss picks
Angled flossers or floss picks are probably the most popular for kids. There are many different types and brands that you can choose from. When choosing you want to consider the length of the floss itself. It depends on your flossing style, if it’s smaller you have to be pretty precise. Then there is the thickness of the floss, when the floss is thin it can slide between the teeth quite easily. However, the drawback is if a child has close contacts between their teeth, you can accidently jab into a child’s gums which would cause some discomfort. Resulting in perhaps a “pause” from flossing.
In conclusion, find a flosser that works well in you, as a parent’s, hands. It likely can be a flosser with a bit thicker string. It might go down as easy, but you do have more control.
In addition, you may have noticed some fluoride coated flossers, but we haven’t come across any data that would recommend or not recommend these products. It’s up to you if you want to dish out those couple extra bucks for those type of flossers.
Do you have a question regarding your child’s oral health? Click here to submit your question to #AskDrJ
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