We’ve been through the floss struggle with my kid too—tight teeth and sensory stuff make it a whole ordeal. Tried one of those “natural” brands that came in a glass vial, but it just frayed like crazy and honestly made flossing kind of miserable. I wanted to stick with it for the eco part, but after a week of tears (from both of us, not gonna lie), I caved and went back to the regular stuff. It’s tough when you want to do the right thing but also need something that actually works, especially with kids who already dread brushing and flossing. If only there was a magic solution that didn’t involve wrestling tiny bits out from between molars...
I caved and went back to the regular stuff. It’s tough when you want to do the right thing but also need something that actually works, especially with kids who already dread brushing and flossing.
Honestly, I think a lot of us end up in the same boat. When you’re dealing with tight contacts between teeth, most “natural” flosses just can’t hold up—they shred or get stuck, which is so frustrating. Do you find your kid tolerates the regular floss any better, or does the sensory stuff still make it a battle? Sometimes switching to floss picks (even though they’re not as eco-friendly) can be a compromise. But then there’s always this nagging guilt about plastic waste... Have you tried any of the silicone reusable options? I’ve only read about them but haven’t seen anyone actually use them with kids.
Sometimes switching to floss picks (even though they’re not as eco-friendly) can be a compromise.
I’ve wondered about those silicone reusable flossers too, but honestly, I’m skeptical about how well they’d actually clean—especially with tight contacts. My kiddo hated the regular floss at first, mostly because of the texture, but the picks are at least less of a wrestling match. Still feels weird tossing plastic every night... Has anyone actually managed to get a kid to use those silicone ones more than once?
The silicone flossers have been on my “maybe” list for a while, but I keep second-guessing them. I did try one myself—just the cheap kind from the store, not any fancy brand—and honestly, it felt like trying to slide a rubber band between my teeth. Not exactly satisfying, and it definitely didn’t get the stubborn bits out between my molars. Maybe I’m doing it wrong, but with tight teeth, it just seemed to stretch and bounce without actually cleaning much.
My youngest is super sensitive to textures too, so regular floss is a no-go. Picks are better, but yeah, the guilt over all that plastic adds up fast. Sometimes I wonder if the compostable cornstarch ones are any better for the planet, or if that’s just greenwashing...
I haven’t managed to convince either of my kids to use the silicone ones more than once. The novelty wore off quick. They said they felt “slimy” and didn’t like how they squeaked (which, fair—nails on a chalkboard vibes). Plus, cleaning them afterwards was a pain and I wasn’t sure if they were actually getting sanitized enough for reuse.
Is there some secret trick to making these work? Or maybe there’s a brand out there that’s actually effective with tight contacts? I sometimes wonder if we’re just stuck choosing between plastic waste and less-than-perfect dental hygiene... Or maybe there’s some magical third option I haven’t stumbled across yet.
For now, we’re still using picks and trying not to think about the landfill situation every night. If anyone’s cracked the code on this one—especially for picky kids—I’d love to hear how you pulled it off.
Maybe I’m doing it wrong, but with tight teeth, it just seemed to stretch and bounce without actually cleaning much.
That’s been my experience too, honestly. I tried a couple of different silicone flossers (one was a “fancy” one that cost way too much), and with tight contacts it just… didn’t do the job. I kept thinking maybe it was user error, but nope—same rubber-band effect. The squeak is real, too. My kid made a face and refused to touch it again.
I totally get the guilt about plastic picks. I’ve looked into the cornstarch ones, but the more I read, the more it seems like compostable doesn’t always mean what we hope. If you don’t have access to commercial composting, they might just end up in landfill anyway.
We’re still using the regular picks for now. I just try to make peace with it—dental health is important, and sometimes the “perfect” eco solution just isn’t practical, especially with sensory issues in the mix. Maybe someday someone will invent a truly compostable, kid-friendly pick that actually works, but until then, I think you’re doing the best you can.
