He said floss picks were “too annoying” at first, but now he actually asks for them if we run out. Do you think the picks are easier for kids than traditional string? I feel like anything that gets them to do it without a fight is a win.
I’ve wondered the same thing about picks vs. string, honestly. My daughter flat-out refused to even try regular floss—said it was “gross” and “too fiddly.” The first time I handed her a pick, she still made a face, but after a few nights she kind of got into it. I think it helps that she can see exactly where the floss is going and doesn’t have to wrap anything around her fingers (which always left little red marks on mine). For her, the picks definitely made it less of a battle.
If I’m being totally honest, I still prefer regular floss for myself, but I get why kids like the picks. They’re just easier to handle with small hands. The only downside is they’re not as flexible for those tight spots between teeth, but if it means she’s actually flossing instead of skipping it...I’ll take it.
You mentioned noticing your teeth looking brighter after slowing down—I’ve had a similar experience. At first, I thought maybe it was just wishful thinking, but after a couple of weeks of really taking my time (and doing that “hug the tooth” thing), my teeth felt smoother and looked less yellow. Not like a whitening treatment or anything dramatic, but definitely fresher. My hygienist said sometimes just removing all the plaque properly can make a big difference in how your teeth reflect light.
One thing I will say: my gums bled a lot when I first started being more careful. Apparently that’s normal if you haven’t been getting all the gunk out before, but it freaked me out at first. It settled down after about a week or so.
Funny how something as simple as changing how you floss can actually change your whole attitude about it. Never thought I’d say that, but here we are...
