Flossing is a huge factor in maintaining a good oral health routine, but unfortunately, it can be tough for kids to remember. Luckily, some of the best floss for kids is designed in a fun and inviting way, making it easier to remember.
When using some of the best dental floss, your child can remove any food and plaque hiding between their teeth, preventing the possibility of developing cavities or gum disease.
What Types of Dental Floss Are Most Effective?
While traditional waxed floss is often preferred, water flossers and floss picks can work as well to remove plaque from the teeth. Many children prefer to use floss picks because of the convenience. However, children with braces, permanent retainers, or bridges often use flosses with built-in threaders or water flossers to help get any food out of the teeth that may have been trapped due to these factors.
Most Effective Types of Dental Floss for Removing Plaque
The mouth is the gateway to the body and is the most vital organ for improving your health, beginning in childhood. In my book “If Your Mouth Could Talk,” you will learn why flossing is crucial for children and how it greatly impacts their oral and overall health.
These are the best floss for teeth that effectively remove plaque build-up.
Traditional Waxed Floss
One of the most popular choices for floss is traditional waxed floss. Waxed dental floss contains a thin layer of wax on its surface, which helps make it easier to glide between your child’s teeth. The SuperMouth Hydroxamin with Flouride Mouth Floss is one of the best types of waxed floss for kids that comes in various fun flavors. It’s soft and gentle on the teeth and feels comfortable around your fingers. Furthermore, they have no PTFE (Teflon) or petroleum-based wax, they use a patented expanding technology to remove 40% more plaque, and they’re infused with all the key toothpaste ingredients.
Floss Picks
Floss picks are another one of the best floss options for kids. It’s super convenient, as it comes as small, plastic sticks with a pre-stretched strand of floss on the end. Floss picks are easy for children to hold and work around their mouths to clean their teeth.
One of our recommendations for the best floss picks is the Superhero Flossers (96 count). These flossers come in three flavors and are designed for kids between 2 and 5.
Water Flossers
Water flossers are the best dental floss options for children with braces, retainers, bridges, or just learning to floss. Often, children who are beginner flossers do not floss properly, and water flossers make it easier to remove any food particles from their teeth.
The Waterpik is my recommendation for the best water flosser for kids, and it might even be the best water flosser of 2024. It’s designed for kids over age 6 and is simple, safe, and small.
The Best Floss For Kids: FAQs
What’s the safest dental floss to use?
Traditional waxed floss, water flossers, and floss picks are safe options for kids. One is not considered safer than the other, and are all effective in cleaning teeth, removing plaque, and reducing the risk of tooth decay.
What material floss is best?
Waxed floss, like Mouth Floss with Hydroxamin, is the best material for floss. However, children who have tight spaces between their teeth can use a flosser because it’s thinner and could be easier to maneuver. Parents can choose from polyester, nylon or silk flosses.
Do dentists still recommend flossing?
The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends flossing as an essential part of caring for your teeth and gums. Flossing helps remove plaque that can cause cavities or gum disease to develop in areas your toothbrush cannot reach.
When should children start flossing?
This age can vary depending on the child, but most children should begin flossing as soon as there are contacts between the teeth sometime around the ages of 2. Flossing should start when your child has two teeth that touch together. Children this young cannot yet floss independently, so you will need to help them until they can.
Kids can usually start flossing on their own around age 10. By helping them floss from an early age, your child will understand that flossing should be a part of their regular oral hygiene routine.
Conclusion
Whether your child prefers waxed floss, a water flosser, or floss picks, flossing should be factored into their daily routine at least once daily. The best floss can help prevent your child from developing cavities gum disease, and reduces the likelihood of inflamed gums.
The Super Dentists is a top-awarded pediatric dentist in San Diego. Schedule an appointment to visit one of our six locations near you.
