Flossing

Q. Flossing my 2 ½ year olds teeth is almost impossible to do. She won't open her mouth and cries when I try. Can you give me some tips on how to get her to let me floss?

A. When your child is about two and a half years old, you can start to introduce them to flossing their teeth to help remove decay-causing bacteria from between their teeth. It will take time for your child to get used to having their teeth flossed. Ideally, their teeth should be flossed twice a week particularly in areas where the teeth are touching. Here are some tips that might help:

• Slide the floss between your child's teeth and gently work it up and down, against the surfaces of each tooth. Do not snap the floss down between the teeth as the floss may damage their gums. After flossing, have your child rinse with water, then brush (or if you prefer, brush then floss) your child's teeth
• If you find flossing your child's teeth difficult, ask your dentist to show you how to do it. Floss holders are available, which can make flossing easier for some children