All about Lip Cancer 

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Did you know that lip cancer is one of the most misunderstood types of cancer that’s out there. With one in five Americans now developing a type of skin cancer during their life, it’s something that, the earlier the better, as this can be removed or treated depending on the situation. Here, we’ll go over what this is, and what you have to be mindful of. 

What This Looks Like 

Lip melanoma, or lip cancer, is usually something that does sit on the surface of your skin cells. Usually, the lower lip looks irregular compared to the upper lip. It might create a patch that’s red, itchy, crusty, or bleeding. If you see growths that look like lumps or warts, this could be a possibility. 

The Causes 

The cause of this does vary, depending on what’s going on.

Some of the factors that do increase this include: 

  • UV exposure and radiation 
  • Alcohol usage 
  • Tobacco usage 

The exposure to UV radiation is a major factor, especially for the lips and different parts. Because this usually comes from the sun, adding sunscreen is the best measure to protect this. Tobacco, along with alcohol usage are also major contributors, and those who drink up to four beverages twice a day are more than likely to have oral cancer than those who don’t. If you smoke, you’re about ten times likely to also have different types of oral cancers. It’s also much greater if you use this. 

Cold Sore or Cancer? 

Cold sores are a condition that do look similar, but they actually do heal up. The lesions from cancer do look like this, but they also heal faster.  It’s a bit different too. The lips usually also look like they have symptoms, and usually, cold sores don’t have the same symptoms.  If you notice a change and it’s refusing to go away though, you’ll want to discuss the possibility of treatment. If it’s just a cold sore, they may offer preventative means to ensure that this doesn’t keep happening to you.

Early Diagnosis Is Key!

As with all cancers, an early diagnosis is very important. That’s because lip cancers are almost always able to be cured, especially when you treat these and catch them early on.

Always check your lips for different changes to the skin, including roes, patches that are white, or red types of patches.

Also, look to see if you can have the dentist check you for oral cancer with oral cancer screenings. 

They look at the mouth, see the tissue, and if they notice some differences, they might request a biopsy to check to ensure that there aren’t any cancer cells. 

So how does this differ from other types of cancer?

Well, it’s very early to find this, and usually, this only appears on the lips. Lip melanoma won’t appear on the major organs, or the heart, but if you don’t actually take care of it, it can spread to the other parts of the body, where the danger happens. 

The best preventative steps is to limit smoking, alcohol, and UV rays. Always try to wear sunscreen whenever you can.

If you do have lip melanoma, the first thing they do is remove the tissue around this to get rid of the cells. The second part is basically radiation and chemotherapy. It can also be cured and treated with early diagnosis, which is why, if you’re worried about the way that your lip looks and have your doubts, always see your dentist or doctor immediately to get screened for this kind of cancer. 

Pre-Implantitis and the Protection of implants 

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Dental implants are wildly successful, with a rate of up to 95%.   There are many replacement options for missing teeth, but this takes the cake. However, just like your own natural teeth, you do need to care for implants so that they last. 

Peri plantains is an infection of the areas around an implant, and they can develop when you’re not careful with the implants and give them what they desire. 

First, what’s a dental Implant 

Dental implants are made to replace your teeth.

There are multiple parts, which include an artificial root made of titanium, and a crown that sits atop this. 

They’ve become a very popular dental prosthetic option, with multiple advantages. 

They include: 

  • Offering you a chance to have a functional bite and an option to chew. 
  • They don’t come loose or slip, unlike of course, dentures. 
  • They look like natural teeth while not developing the activities that are there 

But dental implants are not immune to the buildup of plaque. 

In fact, the accumulation of plaque at the base of your implant is what causes peri-implantitits.   According to the American academy of periodontology, this s a gum infection that happens around your implant, and deteriorates the ties used, along with the bone that surrounds this implant. 

So how common is this? well, about 40% of the implants that are over five years old are susceptible to this. 

When you don’t treat this, it does lead to implant loss, which you have to be careful with. 

Caring for your implant 

The benefits of implants are that they last a few years, and they can save you the expense and disruption of some of the conditions that may happen. 

Now to prevent the inflammation of the area around your implant, you just have to have a good hygiene routine. 

This includes: 

  • Brushing and flossing twice daily. 
  • Depending on where the implant is and the number you have, use interdental brushes or water flossers to help with this 
  • Talk to the dentist and routinely check for healthy gums and bones 
  • Stop smoking. If you do smoke, this increase the chance of implant failure 

If you have diabetes or gum disease, there is a stronger chance of peri-implantitits developing, so talk to your dentist about further steps to take 

You can also prevent further decay on your natural teeth if you do prevent this on the implants. 

Symptoms and Treatment 

Now, if you’re worried you might’ve developed this, here are a few things to keep in mind: 

  • The gums will be tender and inflamed. 
  • They might bleed when you brush 

If you’re worried, you should talk to your dentist to figure out the concerns, and to report all changes during dental visits. If you do develop these symptoms, don’t hesitate to tell your dentist in order to resolve the infection and avoid the instances of implant failure. The treatments of this do vary based on what’s being treated, the implant type, the severity of this, and other small notes. Every treatment has benefits and drawbacks, so find out from our dentist what is right for you. 

Some are more effective when they work well with other treatment options for you too. Some treatments have some good benefits too, and they do work well. 

Antibiotics are the first option, as this can help right around the implant. 

Sometimes, you might need to use mechanical removal. There is also laser therapy for destroying the bacteria at the source. 

Finally of course, there are surgeries that are used as a last resort. 

The Causes of Blue and Gray Teeth 

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Sometimes, our teeth become interesting colors, and you might see some colors that look like stains. They’re not yellow though, but instead a gray or a bluish color.

You might wonder why your teeth are looking a little gray or blue. Here, we’ll discuss the causes, and what to do if you do have this happen to you.

The tooth Color that’s naturally There. 

Yes, this is actually a tooth color that’s natural for some people. Well, natural for those with dentinogenesis imperfecta. This impacts the appearance and the structure of the tooth, creating either a yellow-born or a blue gray color, and they might be a little bit weaker than what you’re used to. 

Another reason is that you have opalescent dentin, and this is a mutation of the genes that causes your dentin to be defective. If you do have this, talk to a dentist for the correct evaluation. 

This is a rare condition, so if you don’t have it, it’s because of other causes. 

You had Exposures  to Antibiotics 

If you were exposed to antibiotics within the womb, or even when you were really young as a kid, this can cause discoloration within your teeth as an adult. 

It usually creates stains that are a blue gray that’s pretty deep, or it’ll cause a yellowish-brown stain. This is usually in a striped horizontal pattern. While this is permanent, and most brushing won’t change this, you can get whitening to aid you with this problem. Talking to a dentist might help you find the correct treatments for your needs. 

You had dental restorations. 

If you had any sort of filling that’s silver such as an amalgam, that might be the reason why you have blue-gray teeth. This is because the material, which along with acrylic, a glass isomer, porcelain, along with metal crowns, cause this sort of blue-gray within the teeth. This is also because of the color that’s showing through a surface that’s porcelain or translucent in terms of surfaces. 

If it’s due to fillings that are silver, the solution is to replace those with an amalgam that’s white. 

Female covering her mouth with her hand, isolated in white

Your teeth are dead. 

If you notice that only one of the teeth is blue or gray, it’s because this died. This is something that you might not realize.

You probably think that all of our teeth are technically dead, but the thing is, the nerves and the pulp keep this alive. 

If you had some trauma, or an infection that created damage, the pulp along with the nerves might die, and usually, the tooth then turns a gray, a dark pink, or even a black.

If you think you have a tooth that’s dead, talk to a dentist immediately. You need to treat this because bacteria will enter the dead parts near the tooth center, creating an abscess. If you need to get rid of a tooth through extraction, they may do that.  They also might try a root canal in order to save the teeth.

If it is dead, a dentist will be able to take the correct steps as needed to help with this.

Having a blue or gray tooth is not necessarily normal, and there are sometimes some causes for alarm. Not every cause is bad though, and if you’re not sure, talk to a dentist today and see if they can help you not only determine the exact cause of your tooth, but also the best treatment possible so that the tooth is properly taken care of, and you can have a better smile.

Crowning front teeth 

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For some people, they might need a dental crown in some cases. In some instances, it may be needed directly on the front teeth.  Some also get crowns for different cosmetic reasons too.

Most normally, crowns are put on teeth for the reasons below: 

  • There’s a lot of damage, including big cracks 
  • It’s super decayed 
  • There’s been a root canal done on it 
  • It’s broken 

When it comes to molars, they usually offer either porcelain or a metal crown, or a combination of both, which has porcelain that’s over the top of metal.

When it comes to front teeth, you might get porcelain or ceramic options for front teeth, as they offer a natural color that’s better than others. 

You may wonder how strong these can be? Well, while porcelain fused to the metal is much stronger, the front teeth don’t require the chewing capabilities that the back teeth do, so durable metal in most cases is not needed.  If you need a specific type of crown, you can always talk to your doctor, and see if they can get you something that will help them. Crowns are great, but always remember that they cannot be a replacement for actual teeth, so make sure that you continue to take care of your teeth as best as you could to keep them nice and healthy for as long as possible. 

Minimizing Front Crown Appearance 

A lot of dentists will match the crowns to one’s natural looking teeth so they’re not out of place. 

However, keep in mind that they won’t be able to be whitened.  You should get a whitening prior to the crown being placed. If it’s matched before they’re whitened, they’ll look much darker than the other teeth.

Hollywood smile with porcelain crowns and veneers

The materials also tend to make sure that you have a look that’s realistic. Porcelain is the most natural looking of these, and usually, this, along with the metal bonded ones are the main choices. However, metal bonds are far less realistic, due to the opaque nature of these. Then there are the tooth colored ones which are the most realistic of them all. 

Caring for this 

Crowns are a little bit fragile, so it’s imperative that you take care of these with as much care as you possibly can. Try to brush this twice a day, especially with some fluoride, and make sure to use floss to clean between each tooth daily. Interdental devices also work for this.

You also need to make sure that you see the dentist as much as you can, to make sure that they’re not damaged, and are completely stable. 

You should always make sure not to crack the crown, because there are habits that are harmless which can crack or chip this porcelain there. biting your nails, chewing on some ice, and using teeth to open things are examples of habits that can harm your teeth.

You should also make sure to avoid anything that stains the teeth, including but not limited to red wine, tea, and coffee.  Also, if you smoke, try not to do that, as this also stains the teeth. While porcelain is not easy to stain, the teeth next to it start to get stained, so the crown will be much more obvious.

If you’re worried about crowns potentially ruining the smile, don’t be. Crowns are great for helping you keep your smile intact. Plus, with the technology we have today, you don’t have to worry about it possibly looking weird, because new precautions are taken every single day to ensure that it’s in place. 

Back to School Oral Care Kits 

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With the school season always a focus for many parents, oral care is something that’s oftentimes not fully looked at, due to the flurry of haircuts, shopping, schedules, and even new seasons. When a child’s starting a new grade, putting together oral care kits for kids is perfect. That way, they’ll be able to walk into classrooms wearing the hottest accessories for the school year: bright, healthy smiles. Different kits vary based on age groups, and you’ll be able to experience your full journey with this. 

Planning these Kits

When putting together these kits, you want to get into good habits first and foremost, so that it sets up the family for success in the long term. 

While the weeks leading up to this feel like they’re forever, you should know that the health of a child is a critical part of starting this calendar. 

When you’re prepared for healthy routines, you’ll be able to kick things off in a strong manner. 

Taking time to schedule dental checkups a month before they begin, and even stocking up on oral hygiene and other items, and even good snacks is good.  It sets them up for a future of bright, healthy smiles. 

Now for kids ages 5 to 8, they probably don’t have a regimen down yet.  But don’t ferret, that’s normal. The simplest solution is to have reminders that’ll help them brush and get them to do this.  getting them to brush for 2 minutes, and then having them do this twice a day, especially before bed, is good. Sticker charts are a great way to keep one on track. 

These oral kits need to include: 

  • New toothbrushes of their choice.  You should make sure to change every quarter, as they are good for remembering to keep them clean 
  • Mild toothpaste with fluoride in them, so that they get a fun, exciting flavor 
  • Flavored floss or even flossing holders 

For kids 8 to 12 years old, they’re preteens, starting at new life stages, and teeth usually start to enter a new stage, which is the braces stage. It’s recommended that children get their first orthodontic checkup at the age of seven or so.  When setting this up, you can also ask your dentist for referrals to orthodontists if you’re worried about teeth alignment. 

When you put together a dental care kit, having these supplies in their gym bag, along with deodorant and shower gel, will help them stay on top of their oral health. 

Finally, you can get them an electric toothbrush. 

Their oral kit should contain: 

  • Battery powered toothbrushes for home, and a soft-bristle toothbrush on the go 
  • Fluoride toothpastes of choice 
  • Flavored floss and a flosser 
  • A small pouch to hold this 

Then at ages 12 to 18, you want to focus on the stress of teenagerhood.  They are definitely something that you’ll want to keep on hand.  You should give them a reminder either in their phone, or even notes. 

Adolescence is usually the best time to focus on keeping the cavities away, and brushing with fluoride types of toothpaste and treatment is good.  You want to make sure that you have good oral care, and also eat a diet that’s healthy and nutritious, in order to give teenagers healthier mouths. 

Their kit must include: 

  • Portable, manual toothbrushes that are good for their gym bags, or even a tongue cleaner 
  • An electric toothbrush that’s battery powered with different settings 
  • Travel mouthwash 
  • Fluoride toothpastes of their choice.  

These are all good for their bags to get them on the right path to oral health and success. 

Do Tooth Worms Exist? 

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Did you ever wonder if there is a “tooth worm” that eats at the teeth inside, which is what creates the toothache? While the tubules and dentin within the pulp that’s disease do look like a worm, there’s not actually worms in your teeth, even though they do look like this.

The Tubules 

Tubules in dentin are little tubes that are hollow and sometimes cause diseases. They’re seen only with a microscope, and they do look like worms according to the ADA. The dentin tubules have a specific job which is pretty important. That is to conduct the sensitivity that’s there when exposed to heat or cold on the surface of the tooth all the way to the nerve. 

But there are some instances where discomfort and pain occur when you expose the tubules.  They do look like worms at first when you look at them with a microscope. However, they are not actually worms. 

The Cause of Dental Disease 

If it’s not tooth worms or problems in gums, what’s causing these toothaches? 

The most common cause is bacteria, or plaque that forms on the teeth. They decay and play the part of the villain for people. 

Plaque is where it forms when there is a lot of buildup near the bacteria that’s within the teeth. It leads to gingivitis and gum disease. It also causes periodontitis, which affects over half of Americans that are above 30 years old. 

The treatment for Caries 

While there’s no actual worms there, there are treatments that come with this.

Some of the treatments include: 

  • Cleaning out the teeth, filling them with restorations 
  • Preventing the pulp that’s there from being hurt further and dying, with a capping of the pulp 
  • Performing root canals on affected areas 

If there is a lot of decay there, to the point where it can’t be salvaged, more than likely they’ll just take it out via extraction.  Usually, they replace this with implants, or bridges. Ideally, it shouldn’t get to that point, but you never know. 

Overall, your dentist will give you the right treatment. If there is periodontitis, then chances are they’ll also have you get a scaling, which is a deep cleaning of the mouth. This can prevent further worms from burrowing in, giving it a deep cleaning that’ll really work its magic. 

Keeping the Mouth Healthy 

While you shouldn’t worry about worms, you’ll want to make sure that you keep the mouth clean and healthy. 

The best way to treat caries is to prevent them before they get worse.  What’s the best way to prevent this though? 

Well, the best ways are as follows: 

  • Brush your teeth twice daily for two minutes with a fluoridated toothpaste 
  • Floss once a day to get in between the teeth 
  • Rinse out with a mouthwash that’s antibacterial, and ideally alcohol free so that you don’t dry out the mouth and invite the cavity causing bacteria in 
  • See the dentist every six or so months to get a checkup and to look for any possible problems that might occur 
  • Have the teeth that are damaged examined and taken care of as soon as possible, in order to mitigate the damage that’s there 

With a lot of advancements in modern medicine and dental science, you want to make sure that you take the time to ensure that this is properly taken care of. 

Practice good oral hygiene practices, and from there you won’t have to worry about the dental worms. They’re for the birds then, rather than for your teeth. 

The role of Abutments in Dental Implants 

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When we think about implants, we rarely focus on the nitty gritty. That is, until you’re the one who needs the implant.  Suddenly, you start to look at this and wonder just what abutments are, and why they’re going to be in your mouth. 

If you’re going to replace your teeth, you may wonder what some of the important parts of it are, which we’ll go over here. 

What Abutments are 

Abutments are a connector made of metal, and for dental procedures, they’re put into implants after it’s been healed.  The abutment basically screws directly into the implant, and is the middleman between the implant itself, and the crown, or fake tooth, that’ll be there. 

For those with dental bridges, the crowns are put on two of these abutments, and then are connected to these other teeth that are replaced called pontics, that will sit over the gums. 

Abutments are usually created in labs, made of gold, titanium, zirconia, stainless steel, or even polyester ether ketone.  Placing the abutment is a small procedure, and usually, they’re done with only local anesthesia for pain. 

What are implants 

Well implants are basically metal fixtures that work like tooth roots, and they’re put into the gums and jawbone.  Essentially, they get anchored to your bone through the process of osseointegration where ethe bone gets directly fused to your metal. 

It offers stability to both the abutment and crown, which is on the same level as actual teeth.  It can take up to 12 weeks for these to heal once you get implants. 

If you have a dentist that says that the jawbone isn’t strong or thick enough for support of this implant, then a bone graft might be recommended. In this, oral surgeons take bones from another part of the body or will use synthetic bone in order to attach this directly to the jawbone.  This offers a sturdy support for these replacements until the bone is able to heal tightly around this implant. 

Regardless of Type, you need good Hygiene 

One thing that’s important is regardless of the implant, or a crown or even a bridge, you have to practice good oral hygiene. 

The implants work in the same manner as your regular teeth do, where you’ve got to brush this twice daily, along the gums and then sweep towards where both biting parts of the teeth are. 

Cleaning between the teeth with water flossing or interdental brushes at least daily is important, and you should have tongue scrapers or antimicrobial mouth rinses. 

When you do this, always check with a dentist for a regular appointment, not just for keeping the teeth perfectly right and to get rid of bacteria, but also for the implant’s health.  You should take some x-rays in order to check the bone area around the implant.  You should also look at the gum tissue that’s near this area, ensuring that it’s free from the inflammation which may be there. 

Now that you know a little bit about implants and abutments, you’re in for a treat, and you’ll be able to have good, informed conversations with dentists. Good luck with this, and make sure that if you have replacement teeth, always take care of them like you would with regular teeth, so that they work just like the real thing. With the right care, these replacements can last the rest of your life, which is definitely something to smile about. 

Protect your teeth, and protect them all, so that you can have the best oral health that you can, in the best ways possible. 

The Importance of Mouthguards 

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Sports are something vital for both kids and adults to enjoy, and it allows them to be healthy and happy. The problem with sports, however, is that while they’re fun, there is a risk for breaking something.  Chipping and breaking a tooth can increase your dental bills by a lot, but one way to prevent this is a mouthguard. We’ll go over why here. 

Why are they important? 

Why should you wear a mouthguard? While you might wear a helmet to protect the head against head trauma, a mouthguard is great to prevent any further injuries to the mouth and the face.

When they’re made of a soft plastic, or even a laminate, this is something that prevents injuries that happen when you have something hit your mouth. They also protect the gums, the cheeks, and also your jaw.

So why do they wear these? Well, regardless of the age, the gender, or the level of skill, everyone’s at risk of getting a n injury to their mouth. While this is scary, a mouthguard can help prevent this from further getting worse. It actually reduces the prevalence of the trauma that happens with athletes during contact sports.

A lot of people will benefit from the protection that a mouth guard offers, especially if you’re in a high contact sport. In fact, over 41% of people who play sports wear this.

Now, you might wonder how it protects, and we’ll go over that here. 

Using mouthguard for Sports 

While mouthguards can’t prevent elbows from hitting you when you’re in the middle of a game. Those things happen. But what it can do is prevent the injuries from getting worse over time. They reduce the impact through spreading it out, and also reduces the damage to both individual teeth, and the mouth as a whole. 

The way that they’re made also ensures that there is some protection of the shock of the force. 

During sports, you’re bound to get injured. In fact, over a third of all the injuries that happen during sports occur near the mouth and the face.  The good thing about this though, is that while it’s hard to fully prevent injuries, you can mitigate the effects of this.

Mouthguards are in fact far cheaper than any other protective elements that are used. In fact, they’re so cheap you can get them at the drugstore for less than 20 bucks.  For just 20 dollars, you can prevent thousands in dental treatments from injuries.

The problem with mouthguards is that so few sports require them. While you have to wear one for high contact sports like football, those that are not as high contact like baseball  and basketball might not require it.  a lot of players wear them when they play, because if you get hit by an elbow, it could knock out the tooth if you’re not careful. 

Mouthguard Types 

You’ve got a couple of different mouthguard types out there, and it’s important to consider all of these.

A good thing to keep in mind is that the better the mouthguard fits, the better the protection you will be getting.

If you’re strapped for cash, you can get stock, as they’re cheap, but they don’t fit comfortably or have protection 

There is also boil and bite, which is where you boil the guard, bite it, and then leave an impression. These are middle-level types. 

Finally, you’ve got custom made, which are the most expensive, but protect the best.

Regardless, try to get your child a mouthguard, especially if sports are their jam, but injuries are not. 

Thyroglossal Duct Cysts 

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If you have a kid that complains that there’s a lump in their throat, it’s advisable to visit a doctor immediately.

This may be caused by what’s called a thyroglossal duct cyst, and this does happen in some young kids.

This typically happens after upper respiratory infections. So if a child gets sick, this also might be a sign that it’s there. 

What is It? 

This is something that develops in some cases before a kid is born. During the 9th week when a child is in the mother’s womb, the thyroid gland is formed and finished up.  Sometimes, your thyroglossal duct may be inwardly curved. This is located usually near your tongue base, all the way out towards the middle-front part of your neck.  As the ASPA says, this is something that’s known as a thyroglossal duct remnant, and usually, this is due to the fact that a part of this duct is still there when this dissolves. The tract that’s left over creates a sac that’s fluid filled, and this is known as a cyst.  The most notable location is usually the bone that’s within the neck, and that’s called the hyoid. 

As many look at the details of this, this is usually responsible for 70% of the masses that children have in their necks. This is usually seen in kids that are under the age of five or so. However, there are those that have had this happen when they were adults, and over 20 years old. These masses can possibly be cancerous if you’re not careful.

The Signs and Symptoms 

The most common symptom is a cyst that shows up. Usually this is round and soft.  Sometimes, it might be tender, a bit red, and there might be some swelling near where the lump is due to infection. Difficulty swallowing and sometimes breathing is also a common symptom of this. if a person sticks their tongue out or swallows, the mass will then move in an upward fashion. 

Treatment and Diagnosis 

If you find that you have this, you should see a doctor. Specifically, an ear, nose or a throat specialist that can treat this. They’ll assess the child’s thyroid to find out what’s going on, in order to confirm whether there is something there. this is also done with a computed tomography scan. 

Sometimes, they might also decide to utilize a blood test if they want to check whether the thyroid gland is functioning. If they’re still assessing it; they might also take a needle to the cyst itself to get some of the cells. That way, they can look at this to figure out what’s going on.

Typically, if there is an infection, they use antibiotics in order to control it.  Sometimes, if its in a problematic area or it is not responding to antibiotics, you might need to get surgery to remove this. They use something called the Sistrunk procedure. This is where a surgeon creates incisions over where the cyst is in order to remove this.  they might also take out a portion of your hyoid in some cases in order to reduce the chances that conditions might happen there. Typically, a child will have to stay one night inside the hospital to heal.

Overall, it’s a pretty straightforward procedure and doctors will assess it. but if you do realize that there is a lump there on the neck of your child, it’s advisable to get that examined, and they’ll advise on the next couple of steps for your treatment process as well, so you can get the help you need.

Helping children Floss

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One thing that a lot of parents need to teach their child is proper oral care. While brushing twice daily along with flossing come together to reduce tooth decay and gum disease, the one that a lot of children have trouble with is flossing.  You can learn how to help children clean between the teeth with their floss, encouraging them to keep up the habit for the rest of their life. 

When to Start 

Children need to start flossing when enough of the teeth that they have start growing next to one another. Bacteria settle in between the teeth, which leads to tooth decay, and gums which are inflamed. Parents usually have to floss the kid’s teeth usually initially. It’s vital to also be gentle when you do this, as this can sometimes be a bit sore afterwards, and crate gums that are bleeding. Keep it gentle, so that you can teach children the vital nature of this habit. 

Getting Children to Floss Better 

If you’re dealing with a child who is against flossing, or hesitant on doing this, you’re not alone. When you clean between the teeth, this is challenging, but there are a few ways to make it fun for them. 

Close up Young asian boy useing toothpick to clean his teeth on white background.

Some of these include: 

  • Demonstrating the way flossing works 
  • Rewarding correct flossing 
  • Singing different songs 
  • Letting children pick out the products they need to use 

You can show them how flossing removes this debris pretty easily. First, you want to eat snacks including fruit, leafy greens, and the like, something that usually gets stuck between a person’s teeth. You then demonstrate the correct technique for flossing, so you can provide children with a visual on just how this works. Then, you want to make this a habit, by having them put together a calendar that demonstrates their oral care. Whenever they do something correct, they get a sticker. Then, as  they accumulate the stickers, they can get rewards for it. 

Sometimes, singing works too, as it can help get children engaged and excited for flossing. 

Flossing for Kids 

If you’re wondering the best way to floss a child’s teeth, you’re not alone. 

You can actually do this in just four simple steps, provided that the child has enough teeth to make this a reality. In fact, once the floss is there, you can then continue, and from there, build the best means for you to get the results you want. 

  • First, you want to get about 18 or more inches of floss, but not a ton of it. 
  • Wind a bit of floss around the index finger and the thumb, at every single end until there’s a small section of floss a person can use between their fingers. Then, you want to slide this between the teeth of a child.
  • Angle this so that it creates  a C shape that curves around the teeth, sliding the floss along the sides of your teeth, and then underneath the gum line 
  • Using a fresh and new floss section, repeat this each time so that the biofilm and the food doesn’t get put back in there, because that can happen 

If this is hard for them to do, or if it’s not comfortable, the best way for a child to manage this at this point is either water flossers or interdental brushes that clean up the teeth, preventing further discomfort from happening.

With all of this, you as a parent will be able to ensure that the child gets proper care, and they’ll be able to grow with this, building better health habits.