Mirror competitions and bedtime story races definitely sound like creative ways to get kids on board with flossing. I do wonder, though, about those floss picks—I've seen a lot of families lean on them because they're convenient, but sometimes they don't slide all the way between teeth, especially if there's crowding or tight contacts. It might just be me, but I've noticed with my own kids that regular string floss (even if it's not as fun) seems to get more gunk out. The downside is, of course, the drama and complaints are next-level.
I totally get not wanting to shell out for cartoon-themed flossers every month. But I’d keep an eye on whether your youngest is just snapping the pick between teeth or actually working it gently up and down the sides—that makes a bigger difference than most people realize. My youngest used to just chomp down on the pick and call it a day... until our dentist pointed out some missed spots.
If you ever feel like you’re still not getting between every tooth, maybe try doing a “team floss” every now and then—just to check in. It’s awkward at first, but sometimes it helps them learn the technique (and you can skip the bribes for one night).
If you ever feel like you’re still not getting between every tooth, maybe try doing a “team floss” every now and then—just to check in. It’s awkward at first, but sometimes it helps them learn the technique (and you can skip the bribes for one night).
That actually made me laugh because I remember the first time we tried “team floss.” My daughter was mortified (so was I, honestly), but it did help her realize she was missing a couple of spots. I totally get what you mean about string floss getting more out—those little picks just don’t cut it for us either, especially with tight teeth. The drama is real, but I guess it’s worth it when the dentist doesn’t find anything new.
The drama is real, but I guess it’s worth it when the dentist doesn’t find anything new.
That sums up the whole parenting-dental routine right there. I can relate to the awkwardness of “team floss”—my son still gives me side-eye if I even suggest it, but it’s honestly the only way I figured out how much he was missing. The little picks are convenient for on-the-go, but with crowded teeth, they just don’t do the job. I’ve tried a few bargain brands of string floss too, and surprisingly, some of the cheaper waxed ones work just as well as the big-name stuff.
One thing that made a difference for us was switching up techniques occasionally—sometimes wrapping the floss tighter or using a gentle sawing motion helped get between those stubborn spots. It’s not glamorous, but like you said, avoiding extra cavities at the checkup makes all the fuss worth it... even if my kid thinks I’m over the top about dental care.
I’m always worried the bargain floss isn’t doing enough, honestly. My dentist once said some cheaper brands can fray or just slide over plaque without removing it. Maybe I’m just paranoid, but I still feel unsure every time I try to save a few bucks...
I get where you’re coming from—been there myself. I tried the dollar store floss for a while, and yeah, sometimes it’d shred or get stuck. But honestly, I found that if I’m careful and take my time, it still does the job. I just can’t bring myself to pay triple for fancy floss every month... Maybe it’s not perfect, but my dentist hasn’t complained yet.
