Haha, glad someone else mentioned that mango paste. My daughter made the funniest face when she tried it—like I'd betrayed her trust forever. 😂
Quick question though: are interdental brushes safe for younger kids? My daughter is 8, and flossing is still a bit of a battle. Waxed floss helped a lot, but I'm wondering if those little brushes might be easier for her to handle herself. Or are they mostly just for adults and teens with braces?
Also, curious about the rinsing-first thing. Does it actually make a noticeable difference, or is it more of a personal preference? I tend to worry about enamel and all that stuff (maybe too much?), so I'm cautious about changing routines without knowing more.
Comfort definitely matters—I just want to make sure I'm not accidentally skipping something important...
"Quick question though: are interdental brushes safe for younger kids? My daughter is 8, and flossing is still a bit of a battle."
Interdental brushes can actually be great for kids around your daughter's age, especially if flossing is turning into a wrestling match every night. My youngest was about 7 or 8 when we started using them—she hated flossing with a passion, but weirdly enough, she thought the little brushes were fun. I guess they felt more like a tiny toothbrush than "boring string," as she called it. 😂 Just make sure you're picking the smallest size available (usually they're color-coded, pink or orange tend to be the smallest), and supervise her at first to make sure she's gentle and not forcing them between tight teeth.
As far as rinsing first goes... honestly, I've tried both ways over the years and haven't noticed any huge difference myself. My dentist once mentioned that rinsing before brushing can help loosen plaque and food bits, making brushing more effective—but he also said it's not something to stress over if your current routine works fine. If you're worried about enamel wear, just stick with an alcohol-free rinse that's gentler on teeth anyway.
And speaking of mango toothpaste... my nephew had a similar reaction when we tried watermelon-flavored paste. He looked at me like I'd tricked him into tasting soap or something. Kids' reactions are priceless sometimes.
Bottom line: comfort and consistency matter most. If interdental brushes make things easier for your daughter (and you!), I'd say give them a shot.
I'm not totally convinced interdental brushes are the best idea for younger kids, tbh. My son tried them around the same age, and even the smallest ones seemed kinda rough on his gums. Maybe he was just heavy-handed, idk...but it made me nervous enough to switch back to floss picks. Those were easier for him to handle and less stressful for me to watch. Just my two cents, but I'd be cautious and maybe check with your dentist first.
"Maybe he was just heavy-handed, idk...but it made me nervous enough to switch back to floss picks."
I completely understand your concern here. When I first got braces, my orthodontist recommended interdental brushes, and even as a teen, I found them pretty uncomfortable at first. It took some practice to get the pressure right and avoid irritating my gums. Floss picks do seem gentler for younger kids. Have you noticed if your son's gum sensitivity improved after switching methods, or was it more about ease of use overall?
Floss picks do seem gentler for younger kids. Have you noticed if your son's gum sensitivity improved after switching methods, or was it more about ease of use overall?
I get the hesitation around interdental brushes...my dentist pushed them a while back, but honestly, they felt rough on my gums too. Floss picks are gentler, sure, but I found regular waxed floss even softer. Took some getting used to, but less irritation overall. Might be worth trying if sensitivity's still an issue.
