I totally worry about the “swipe and done” thing with picks too. They’re convenient but yeah, I’ve seen kids just sort of wave them around and miss half the gunk. Water flossers are fun, but man, my bathroom looked like a car wash after! Still, if it gets them interested... maybe worth a few puddles?
- Floss picks are a double-edged sword—easy to use, but kids tend to rush and miss spots. I’ve had better luck when I actually demo the right motion for them.
- Water flossers are great for engagement, but yeah, my mirror’s never clean after. Trade-off seems worth it if they’re actually flossing, though.
- Anyone try the “disclosing tablets” for showing missed plaque? Wondering if that helps kids see where they’re missing or just turns into more mess...
Trade-off seems worth it if they’re actually flossing, though. - Anyone try the “disclosing tablets” for showing missed plaque?
Tried those disclosing tablets once and honestly, it was both helpful and a bit of a mess. My kid thought it was hilarious to see their teeth turn bright pink, but it definitely showed the spots we were missing. Cleanup took a little longer, but seeing the missed areas made her actually want to brush better. Not perfect, but worth a shot if you’re struggling.
Brushing with my kid is a full-on circus act, so I totally get where you’re coming from. The disclosing tablets are kind of genius, though. I tried them on a whim after my son’s dentist suggested it, and it was like a science experiment gone wild—he was fascinated by the weird colors all over his mouth. It did turn into a bit of a mess (I had to wipe down the sink and counter after), but seeing those neon spots actually made him want to scrub them off, which was a minor miracle.
I’ll admit, the novelty wore off after a week or two. Now he asks for the “magic color pills” only sometimes, but it definitely helped him understand why we bother with brushing in the first place. I think there’s something about turning it into a game that finally clicked for him. And honestly, I learned that I wasn’t as thorough as I thought either… nothing like seeing your own teeth glow pink to keep you humble.
If you’re dealing with the nightly chase-around-the-house routine, anything that gets them even remotely interested is worth trying at least once. Yeah, it’s a little more cleanup than just regular toothpaste, but if it saves me from another meltdown over brushing, I’ll take it.
You’re not alone in feeling like you need the patience of a saint to get through bedtime. Some days we win, some days I just hope for minimal toothpaste on the walls. Hang in there—eventually they figure it out (or at least get better at pretending they brushed).
I get the appeal of the “magic color pills”—my niece went through a phase where she’d only brush if she could use those. But honestly, I found the mess and extra steps just made me more anxious about the whole bedtime routine. I know you said,
but for me, it sometimes added to the chaos. Maybe I’m just not patient enough for science experiments at 8pm.“if it saves me from another meltdown over brushing, I’ll take it,”
We actually had a tiny breakthrough by letting her pick her own toothbrush (she went with a sparkly unicorn one, naturally) and toothpaste flavor. It’s not as flashy as neon colors, but for whatever reason, giving her some control made her less likely to bolt when it was time to brush. I still have to double-check her teeth after, but at least it doesn’t feel like such a battle.
I totally see how turning it into a game works for some kids—I just get nervous about adding more steps or cleanup to an already stressful part of the day. Maybe it’s just about finding what feels manageable for your own sanity?