Honestly, I never noticed much difference with a soft brush for my kid—he just chews right through them and we end up replacing them constantly. For us, what really helped was switching toothpaste to something less minty. He actually wants to brush now. Flossing’s still a battle, though... I get what you mean about guilt, but I figure missing a day here or there isn’t the end of the world.
Switching toothpaste flavors made a huge difference for my youngest too—mint was just too much for her. The flossing struggle is real at our house as well. Have you noticed if your own gums are more sensitive when you skip flossing for a bit? Sometimes I wonder if it’s just me getting older or if it’s the same for everyone...
Have you noticed if your own gums are more sensitive when you skip flossing for a bit?
Definitely not just you. Skipping flossing even for a few days can make gums feel tender, especially as we get older. Gums just don’t bounce back as quickly. I see it all the time—patients who fall out of their routine notice bleeding and soreness much faster than they used to. It’s not just aging, but also how consistently you’re cleaning between teeth. Even switching up your floss type or using soft picks can help if regular floss feels too rough.
Skipped flossing for a week when I was on vacation—came back and my gums were basically throwing a tantrum. It’s wild how quickly they get cranky. Anyone else ever get that “why did I do this to myself” feeling after slacking off?
Honestly, I get where you’re coming from, but I don’t think missing flossing for a week is the end of the world—at least not for everyone. I’ve had stretches where I skipped a few days (travel, late nights, you name it) and didn’t notice much difference. Maybe it comes down to how sensitive your gums are or what your routine is like otherwise. Still, it’s wild how fast things can change once you’re back on track... the body’s pretty resilient, but it definitely keeps us on our toes.
