That’s so true about the phases—my kid went through a stage where only grape toothpaste was allowed, then suddenly it had to be mint, but not “spicy” mint (whatever that means). I totally agree that keeping up the brushing routine is what matters most, even if you’re basically negotiating with a tiny lawyer every night. I used to stress about technique, but honestly, just getting the brush in there counts for a lot at this age.
One thing I’ve noticed is sometimes letting them “help” with my brushing makes them more interested—like, they get to put toothpaste on my brush or “check” my teeth. It’s messy, but it breaks up the monotony. Those apps and timers are neat for a while, but yeah, the novelty wears off fast. In the end, I figure as long as we’re keeping up the habit, the details will sort themselves out.
I get what you mean about just getting the brush in there being a win, but I actually had a dentist tell me to focus on technique pretty early, even if it feels pointless. My kid’s teeth are super close together, so we had a few surprise cavities even though we brushed every night. Now I still let her “help,” but I make sure I do a quick once-over myself at the end. It’s not perfect (and there are still arguments), but I feel a little better knowing I’m at least catching the tricky spots. Maybe it depends on the kid’s teeth?
Maybe it depends on the kid’s teeth?
That’s a good point. I’ve noticed my son’s teeth are spaced out and we haven’t had any cavities, but my niece has tight teeth like your kid and needed fillings early. Did your dentist recommend flossing at that age, or is that overkill? I’m always worried about adding extra steps (and costs), but maybe it’s worth it for some kids.
Funny, our dentist actually brought up flossing when my daughter was about three because her teeth were super close together. At first I thought it was a bit much, but he explained that food gets trapped way easier with tight spacing, so brushing alone might not cut it. We just use those little floss picks—honestly, it’s way less hassle than I expected. I do skip it sometimes if she’s extra cranky, though... not gonna lie.
Yeah, those floss picks are a game changer for little kids. My kid’s teeth are packed in tight too, so even with a good electric toothbrush, stuff gets stuck. I get why dentists push flossing early, but man, some nights it just doesn't happen... you pick your battles.