1.At what age should a child start flossing?

Flossing helps in cleaning the crevices of teeth surfaces that contact each other. The ideal age for flossing in children would be when the contacts start to develop between the teeth.

2.Why is flossing important?

Dental floss reaches areas of teeth which cannot be cleaned by a tooth brush. Flossing helps clean the crevices of teeth below the contact areas of the teeth. This prevents inter proximal decay in teeth.

3.What is the best way to floss?

It's amazing how much variety you can find in dental floss. From regular dental floss or ribbon to dental flossers, it's easy to find something that works well for you. All types remove cavity-causing plaque and food debris from between your teeth. Here are a few of your choices:

Dental Flossers - Often regarded as being easier to manage than conventional floss, flossers are a popular choice. There's no need to wrap any excess thread around your fingers, which some find uncomfortable.

Conventional Floss - There's nothing wrong with sticking with traditional types of floss. Just tear off a piece at least 18 inches long and wind it around your index fingers. If you find traditional thread-like floss is uncomfortable for your gums, try dental ribbon, its smoother counterpart.

Floss Threaders - If you have a fixed bridge in your mouth,or undergoing orthodontic treatment, it doesn't mean you get out of flossing. Nifty little floss threaders allow you to thread the floss between your teeth, under the bridge work.

4.What are sealants and how do they protect teeth?

Sealants are clear, plastic coatings applied on to the chewing surfaces of molars to protect the deep grooves from decay. In some people the grooves on the surfaces are too narrow and deep to clean with a tooth brush. These grooves may decay inspite of regular brushing. Sealants are an excellent measure used for children and young adults at risk for this type of decay.