Toothbrush shuffle—yep, that’s the dance of my evenings too. My kid acts like I’m coming at him with a medieval torture device every time I pull out the flossers. The bleeding freaked me out at first, but our dentist said the same thing about gums toughening up. Sometimes I think I’m just moving plaque around for fun, honestly. But hey, if you’re trying and your kid’s not screaming, I call that a win.
Haha, you nailed it with the “medieval torture device” bit—my kid gives me that same look, like I’m about to perform open-heart surgery with a flosser. I’ve wondered too if I’m actually making a difference or just going through the motions because the dentist says so. But hey, if you’re not getting full-on meltdowns, I’d call that a solid win. Ever tried any of those electric kids’ toothbrushes? I swear the lights and sounds distract my son just long enough for a halfway decent job.
Man, I feel you on the “is this even helping?” thing. Some nights I’m convinced my daughter’s teeth are cleaner just from the tantrum-induced spit than anything I actually do with the floss. We tried one of those electric brushes with a unicorn on it—she mostly just likes the song it plays, but hey, at least she’s not running away. Have you had any luck with those floss picks with handles? I keep wondering if they’re actually better or just another thing to step on barefoot in the dark...
Those floss picks with handles are a double-edged sword—on one hand, my kid will actually let me near her mouth with them, which feels like a miracle. On the other, I’ve definitely had the pleasure of stepping on a few at 2am. I do think they’re easier for little hands, though. Honestly, less wrestling and more actual flossing, even if half the time she’s just chewing on it. I guess it’s progress?
Honestly, less wrestling and more actual flossing, even if half the time she’s just chewing on it. I guess it’s progress?
Definitely counts as progress in my book. I’ve seen so many parents struggle just to get a toothbrush near their kid’s mouth, let alone floss. Floss picks are a lifesaver for dexterity issues—little hands just can’t manage traditional floss yet. And yeah, stepping on one is its own special kind of pain... I started keeping a little cup in the bathroom for used picks, which reduced my midnight booby traps by like 90%. Chewing is normal at this age—honestly, it helps them get used to the texture. Better than nothing, right?
