Switching to floss picks totally changed my nightly routine

Honestly, I’m with you on the tape-style floss. I tried picks for a bit because, let’s face it, after wrestling with braces all day, I don’t exactly crave more dental acrobatics before bed. But the picks just don’t get between my molars right - feels like trying to floss with a credit card. Tape floss slides in way easier, and my gums have stopped throwing tantrums, so that’s a win. Still wish there was a “set it and forget it” option for flossing though…

Tape floss is the only thing my kiddo will tolerate - she’s got those tight little teeth and regular floss just shreds. I tried to convince her to use picks since they seem so much easier, but she always complains they don’t really clean between the back teeth. Honestly, I get it. Has anyone had any luck with water flossers for kids? I keep wondering if that’s worth the mess...

We tried a water flosser for my son after struggling with regular floss and picks. The first few uses were kind of messy, but he actually liked the sensation and it seemed to clean well enough. Did you have any trouble getting your kid comfortable with the noise or the spray? Some kids are more sensitive to that than others...

My daughter was really startled by the noise at first - she actually jumped the first time we turned it on. We tried letting her hold it and control the button herself, which seemed to help a bit. I think the unpredictability of the spray was more of an issue than the sound for her. It took a few nights of practice (with towels everywhere), but now she’s actually reminding me to use it. Kids adapt, but it was definitely a messy process at the start...

That unpredictable spray is no joke - my nephew called it the “mouth sprinkler” and acted like we’d unleashed a garden hose in the bathroom. Honestly, I think you nailed it with letting her take charge of the button. When kids feel like they have some control, it’s way less scary. The towel barricade is a classic move too... I still keep one handy, just in case my aim goes wild. Glad she’s gotten used to it - kids surprise us with how adaptable they can be, even if it’s a wet and wild ride at first.

Letting her control the button was such a smart move. I’ve noticed with my own kids that giving them even a tiny bit of choice makes things way smoother - especially when it comes to new routines. The towel trick is underrated, honestly… I still use it myself sometimes. Kids really do adapt fast, even if our wallets and patience get tested along the way.

Letting her control the button was such a smart move. I’ve noticed with my own kids that giving them even a tiny bit of choice makes things way smoother - especially when it comes to new routines.

This really lines up with what I’ve seen, too. I switched to floss picks a few months back, and my son (he’s 7) actually started flossing on his own after I let him pick the “color” pack at the store. It’s wild how much difference a small choice makes. I used to get so frustrated trying to get him to use regular floss - he’d just mess around or complain that it was too hard. With the picks, he’s way more independent.

I’m curious, has anyone tried the electric flossers with their kids? I’ve thought about getting one, but I wonder if it’s overkill or just another gadget to clutter up the bathroom. Also, about the towel trick - do you mean wrapping them up after bath time, or is there some hack I’m missing? Sometimes I feel like there’s a whole secret parenting playbook I haven’t unlocked yet...

It’s wild how much difference a small choice makes.

Totally get this. Letting kids pick their own stuff seems minor but it really flips the script. I was skeptical about floss picks at first, but my niece (she’s 6) actually started reminding ME to floss after she got to choose her own pack. Haven’t tried electric flossers with kids, though - I feel like they’d just end up playing with it or losing half the pieces... but maybe that’s just my crew. And yeah, sometimes it feels like there are parenting hacks everyone else knows - glad I’m not alone in that!

- Totally relate to the “small choice” thing.
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“she actually started reminding ME to floss after she got to choose her own pack.”

- Interesting point about floss picks making you more consistent. I used to think they were just for convenience, but honestly, I floss way more now too.
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“Floss picks seem way easier for little hands. Less mess, too.”

I switched to picks a while back because honestly, I was sick of buying those big spools of floss and never finishing them. Picks just seemed easier, but I did get a little side-eye from my hygienist once. She said the main thing is getting between every tooth, but picks might not curve as well under the gumline. I figure if it keeps me actually flossing, it’s worth it. Has anyone found a brand of picks that doesn’t break super easily? I feel like I’m always snapping them in half...

I hear you on the picks breaking - I've snapped a few mid-floss and it's annoying. I switched to the ones with a thicker handle (think DenTek or the Target brand) and they seem sturdier. My hygienist said as long as I’m getting between every tooth, it’s better than skipping altogether... but she did mention that regular string floss can hug the tooth a little better under the gum. I figure if picks keep me actually doing it, that's a win. Anyone else notice some picks have sharper plastic edges though? That bugs me sometimes.

Yeah, I totally get nervous about those sharp edges too. Sometimes I feel like I’m going to poke my gums or something, and then I worry I’ll make things worse. I tried a few different brands, but some of them just feel kind of flimsy or rough. The thicker handles help, but I still get anxious if the plastic feels pointy.

Honestly, I’ve always struggled with regular floss because my teeth are pretty close together and it gets stuck... and then I panic a little trying to get it out. Picks are just easier for me (even if they’re not perfect), because at least I’m actually flossing now instead of skipping it out of fear. My dentist said consistency is more important than technique at first, so I’m just trying to stick with it and not stress too much about doing it “perfectly.” Still wish they’d make the plastic smoother though - sometimes my gums feel sore after.

Picks are just easier for me (even if they’re not perfect), because at least I’m actually flossing now instead of skipping it out of fear.

Same here, honestly. I used to skip flossing all the time because the regular stuff just shredded or got stuck. But picks can get pricey, especially if you’re using one per day. I wish there were more affordable options that didn’t feel so cheap or rough, you know? Sometimes I wonder if the extra cost is worth it compared to just wrestling with traditional floss... but then again, sore gums and panic are no fun either.

I totally get what you mean about the cost piling up. I’ve tried a few of the cheaper picks and some of them really do feel rough or flimsy, which kind of defeats the point if you’re just trading one hassle for another. For me, the peace of mind is worth a bit extra, but I still cringe when I see how fast I go through a pack. Have you ever tried reusable floss handles? They’re not perfect, but you can use your own floss with them and it’s a little less wasteful (and maybe cheaper in the long run). Still, nothing’s as quick as grabbing a pick... it’s a tough call.

Reusable floss handles are actually a game changer for me, even if they’re a little clunky compared to the picks. I totally get what you mean about speed - sometimes I just want to be done and get to bed, not mess with threading floss. Do you find they actually save you money over time? I felt like I was buying less plastic, but maybe that’s just me trying to justify another weird dental gadget in my drawer...

I hear you on the clunky part. I tried the reusable floss handles after my last cleaning, mostly because my hands aren’t as steady as they used to be. Takes a little getting used to, but I found it way less frustrating than wrapping floss around my fingers and losing circulation.

You mentioned:

I felt like I was buying less plastic, but maybe that’s just me trying to justify another weird dental gadget in my drawer...

Speed-wise, yeah, the picks are quicker, but the handle makes it easier for me to reach those back molars without turning myself into a pretzel. For me, the trade-off’s worth it. If it’s helping you stick with flossing regularly, I’d say that’s a win, even if it’s not perfect.

If it’s helping you stick with flossing regularly, I’d say that’s a win, even if it’s not perfect.

That’s interesting about the refill packs being cheaper and less wasteful. I’m curious - have you noticed any difference in how effective the reusable handles are at actually cleaning between teeth, compared to regular floss or picks? I keep seeing mixed opinions on that.

I’ve wondered about that too. I tried one of those reusable handles for a week, but honestly, I felt like I had to work a bit harder to get between my crowded teeth compared to regular floss. Maybe I’m just not used to the angle? Does it get easier with practice?

I get what you mean - it took me a while to get used to the weird angle too. I still struggle with the back teeth sometimes. Did you notice any difference in gum soreness or bleeding after switching, or was it just the awkwardness?