Getting kids to floss - what tricks actually work?

My niece did the exact same thing - her stickers ended up everywhere except the chart. I think you’re onto something with it being more about the shared time than just a prize. We started pretending her stuffed animals needed flossing lessons, and she’d “teach” them first, then show me how she could do it herself. Honestly, it got a lot more giggles than nagging ever did.

One thing that helped was making up a goofy song about “flossing away the sugar bugs.” Seriously, the sillier I acted, the more interested she was. The reward almost became secondary to the routine (and my embarrassing dance moves). I wouldn’t say it works every night, but it’s way less of a battle now.

I’m not sure every kid buys into the game thing, but if you lean into the ridiculous, sometimes they surprise you.

I get the appeal of the goofy song-and-dance routine - kids really do love when adults act ridiculous. But I’ll admit, my patience (and, honestly, my dignity) only stretches so far after a long day at work. Tried the puppet thing once, but I just couldn’t keep up the enthusiasm every single night. My son caught on pretty quick and started negotiating for extra stories or more screen time instead of just going along with the game.

Maybe it’s just my kid, but he seems totally immune to sticker charts, songs, and even my best “sugar bug” voices. The only thing that’s worked for us is making flossing part of our nightly wind-down. We brush and floss together in the bathroom - no fanfare, just side-by-side like it’s as normal as putting on pajamas. Sometimes we’ll chat about our day or what we’re doing tomorrow. It’s not exactly fun, but it’s consistent and he doesn’t fight it as much anymore.

Honestly, I think some kids are just less into the whole reward or game angle. And with the price of all those sticker charts and cutesy flossers adding up (seriously, have you seen how much those animal-shaped flossers cost?), I’d rather not buy into every trend if I don’t have to. Maybe I’m missing out on some laughs, but at least bedtime doesn’t turn into a circus every night... unless you count me trying to wrangle him into bed.

Curious if anyone else has found that just keeping things low-key works better for their kids? Or maybe mine’s just a little old man trapped in a six-year-old’s body.

That sounds pretty familiar, actually. I’ve got braces right now, so flossing is a whole production for me, and honestly I wish I’d just learned to treat it like any other routine when I was a kid. Do you ever worry that making it “fun” just sets up more resistance later, when the novelty wears off? Or is it just about getting them started any way you can?

Honestly, I’ve wondered about that too. My youngest would do anything for a sticker or a song when she was little, but now that she’s older, the “fun” part is definitely not enough to get her to floss. I think at some point, you just have to make it non-negotiable - like brushing.

That said, getting them started is half the battle. If making it fun gets them used to the idea, maybe it’s worth it, even if the novelty wears off later. I didn’t really learn to floss regularly until my dentist basically guilt-tripped me in high school… not the best approach, but it worked for me.

Now I’m dealing with a kid in braces, and honestly, it’s a circus. We use those little floss threaders, but they’re fiddly and take forever. Some nights we just call it good with a water flosser and hope for the best. Not perfect, but better than nothing, right?

I get the whole “make it non-negotiable” thing, but honestly, that’s never worked in my house. My kid just digs in her heels harder. What actually helped us was letting her pick her own flossers (the neon dinosaur ones, of course) and then timing it with a silly song. Yeah, she’s older now, but somehow picking out the weirdest flossers at the store still gives her some sense of control. Water flosser is our backup too - sometimes you just gotta accept “good enough.”

Picking out the flossers is such a game-changer, right? I swear, the only reason my niece ever started flossing was because she got obsessed with these glittery unicorn flossers. I’m with you - making it “non-negotiable” just never worked for us either. The more we pushed, the more she’d just cross her arms and refuse. Sometimes I think adults forget how much kids crave even a tiny bit of control.

I’ve tried the silly song thing too, and honestly, it’s hilarious how much that helps. We used to do the “Baby Shark” song (over and over... and over...), but hey, if it gets the job done, who cares? I’d rather have her giggling through flossing than dreading it every night.

Not everyone’s on board with water flossers, but I’m a fan. If it means fewer battles and at least some form of flossing is happening, that’s a win in my book. I know some people say “it’s not as good as string floss,” but honestly, something is better than nothing. Perfection is overrated when it comes to getting kids to actually do this stuff.

I’ve also noticed rewards work sometimes - like a sticker chart or letting her pick the bedtime story if she flosses without a fuss. Not every night is a success, but I figure building the habit is more important than stressing about doing it “perfectly” every single time.

It’s wild how much of this comes down to letting kids feel like they’re in charge of their own mouths. If that means hunting down neon dinosaur flossers or blasting silly songs, I’m all for it. The less of a power struggle it is, the better for everyone’s sanity.

Couldn’t agree more about letting kids feel some control - it’s honestly a game-changer. I’ve seen so many parents get stuck in that nightly power struggle, and it just turns flossing into a battle nobody wins. My nephew only got on board when he could pick his own “cool” flossers too (for him, it was sharks). I’m with you - if water flossers or silly songs make it happen, why not? Consistency matters way more than perfection. Building positive habits now pays off later, even if it’s not always textbook perfect every night.

Consistency matters way more than perfection. Building positive habits now pays off later, even if it’s not always textbook perfect every night.

Totally agree with this. Honestly, I’d rather see kids flossing a little “wrong” but actually doing it, than fighting over perfect technique and ending up with nothing. Anyone else notice that letting them floss your teeth first makes them laugh and then they’re more willing to let you do theirs? Also, what’s the deal with those dinosaur flossers - do they work better or is it just the novelty?

Also, what’s the deal with those dinosaur flossers - do they work better or is it just the novelty?

Honestly, I think it’s mostly the novelty, but if it gets them to actually floss, I’m not complaining. My kid will only use the dinosaur ones and yeah, they’re a bit pricier than plain floss picks, but I just buy the store brand when it’s on sale. I do worry sometimes if they clean as well, but dentist said as long as they’re getting in there, it’s fine. The “floss my teeth first” trick totally works here too - she thinks it’s hilarious and then doesn’t freak out as much.

dentist said as long as they’re getting in there, it’s fine.

That’s what mine said too. I used to stress about whether my son was actually getting all the gunk out, especially with those chunky dinosaur picks, but honestly, he’s way more willing to floss with them. The novelty definitely helps. We also do a “flossing song” (don’t ask, it’s ridiculous), and it distracts him enough to get the job done. I figure whatever works, right?

That actually makes me feel better - I've wondered if those floss picks are really doing enough, but my kid refuses regular floss. Do you ever worry about them missing spots? I guess as long as they're trying, it's a win. The flossing song idea is hilarious, by the way.

Do you ever worry about them missing spots? I guess as long as they're trying, it's a win.

I totally get that feeling. I used to hover over my daughter, trying to make sure she got every tooth, but honestly, it just stressed us both out. Now I figure, if she's using the floss pick and making it a habit, that's already progress. Sometimes I do a quick check after, just to see if anything obvious was missed - no shame in a little backup! Have you noticed if your kid is more willing to floss on their own with the picks, or do you still have to remind them a lot?

if she's using the floss pick and making it a habit, that's already progress.

That’s a great point. Building the habit seems more important than perfect technique at first. With my son, the picks made a big difference - he actually reminds me now if we forget! Still, I do spot checks too, just in case. Have you ever tried making it into a game or challenge? Sometimes a little competition gets them more engaged, at least in our house.

We tried turning flossing into a race once, but it backfired - my daughter just rushed through and missed half her teeth. Now we do a “floss song” instead, which seems to help her slow down. Curious if anyone’s had luck with sticker charts or rewards?

Sticker charts worked for us for a while, but honestly, I got tired of buying little rewards all the time. My kid started expecting a prize every week, which got old fast, especially on a tight budget. What helped more was just making flossing part of our bedtime routine, no fuss. Some nights we skip, but overall it’s less stressful than keeping up with charts or prizes.

Sticker charts worked for us for a while, but honestly, I got tired of buying little rewards all the time. My kid started expecting a prize every week, which got old fast, especially on a tight bud...

I hear you on the sticker charts - they can start to feel like just another chore. Making flossing a routine is definitely more sustainable. In my experience, kids respond well when it’s just a normal part of getting ready for bed, no big deal or bribes needed. Sometimes I’ll let them pick the floss flavor or do a countdown, but mostly it’s about consistency. Skipping a night here and there isn’t the end of the world, either.

I get a little stressed about skipping nights, honestly. My son had a cavity last year and ever since then I worry we’re not doing enough. Do you ever worry that just making it “routine” isn’t enough? Sometimes I feel like if I don’t remind him (or even do it for him), he just won’t bother. Is that just me being overprotective, or is this normal for younger kids? Picking the floss flavor helps, but he still complains half the time...

I get what you mean - my daughter’s the same way. If I don’t remind her, flossing just doesn’t happen. I read somewhere that most kids need help with flossing until like age 8 or 9, so maybe it’s normal? We use those little floss picks and let her pick the color, which helps a bit. Still a struggle some nights...

Yeah, it’s definitely normal for kids that age to need reminders. My son’s 7 and if I don’t actually hand him the floss pick, he’ll just skip it. We tried making it part of his bedtime routine, right after story time, and that helped a bit. Some nights he fights it, but honestly, I think consistency is the only thing that really works... even if it’s a pain for us. Those colorful flossers are a lifesaver though - he likes the dinosaur ones.

Those dinosaur flossers would’ve made my life easier back in the day, I swear. My grandkids are the same - if it’s not fun or colorful, it’s not happening. I used to bribe them with a sticker chart, but honestly, sometimes you just have to chase them around with the floss. At least they’ll thank us when they’re older... or so I keep telling myself.