My niece was exactly like that. Stickers and cute flossers did nothing for her, but one time she overheard me talking about cavities being "holes" in your teeth caused by bacteria eating away at them. She got super curious, asked a million questions, and suddenly flossing became her personal mission against the "tooth monsters." Guess some kids just need a little drama or a gross visual to get motivated, haha...
My dentist actually did something similar when I was younger. She showed me a close-up picture of tooth decay under a microscope—grossed me out enough to start flossing seriously. Honestly, I think kids respond better when they understand why they're doing something, rather than just being bribed with rewards. Making it into a battle against "tooth monsters" or bacteria gives them a sense of control and purpose, which is way more effective than stickers or treats in the long run.
That's actually a pretty smart approach. I remember when my orthodontist explained step-by-step how plaque buildup leads to cavities and gum issues—it clicked for me too. Kids definitely appreciate knowing the 'why' behind things instead of just being told to do it.
We tried the whole "science lesson" approach too, and it worked...for about a week. Then my daughter decided she was immune to cavities because she "brushes extra good." 🙄 What finally did the trick was letting her pick out her own flossers—she chose these neon-colored animal-shaped ones. Now flossing is apparently a fashion statement. Whatever works, right? Honestly, kids are hilarious.
That's great it worked for your daughter, but honestly, the novelty wore off pretty fast with my son. Eventually, what helped us was making flossing part of our bedtime routine—like storytime or brushing teeth. Kids thrive on routines...maybe worth trying if the flossers lose their charm?
