I’ve tried the flavored mouthwash trick too, and my daughter actually prefers it over the regular stuff.
That’s awesome your daughter likes the flavored mouthwash. I was so nervous about using anything new, but honestly, finding a flavor that doesn’t make you gag is half the battle. My kiddo hated mint, but grape was a win. It really is just trial and error... whatever they’ll actually use without a fuss seems to work best. You’re definitely not alone with the mixed results!
Totally get being nervous about new stuff—I'm always second-guessing if something will actually help or just make things harder. We tried a watermelon flavor once and my son said it tasted like cough syrup... so that was a no. Honestly, I just hope whatever they use doesn’t end up all over the bathroom mirror.
That watermelon flavor is rough—my youngest tried a “bubblegum” toothpaste once and swore it tasted like medicine and dirt mixed together. I totally feel you on the flavor roulette. Sometimes I think the people making these products must not have kids themselves... or taste buds, honestly.
When my kids first got braces, I was convinced we’d be scrubbing toothpaste off every surface for months. The splatter is real, especially when they’re still learning how to angle the brush around all that hardware. We tried those little interdental brushes—tiny things, almost like pipe cleaners—and while they’re great for getting in between the brackets, my son managed to flick toothpaste onto the ceiling once. Not sure how, but it happened.
I’ve found that letting them pick their own flavor sometimes helps, even if it means some trial and error. Mint is usually safest, but every now and then they want to be adventurous... and then we’re stuck with a tube of “blue raspberry” nobody will touch. The water flosser was a game-changer for us, though. It’s messy at first, but once they got the hang of it (and stopped aiming at their reflection), it actually made a difference. I wish I’d known about them when I had braces as a teen—would’ve saved a lot of frustration.
There’s no magic solution, but honestly, anything that makes the routine less of a battle is worth trying. Some days are just going to be messier than others, and that’s okay. I figure as long as most of the toothpaste ends up in their mouth and not on the mirror, we’re winning.
Letting kids pick their own toothpaste flavor does sound like a good way to get them involved, but honestly, I haven’t found it makes much difference in our house. My daughter will beg for something “fun” like strawberry or bubblegum, but after a week, she’s back to complaining that it’s too sweet or weird. Then we’re left with half-used tubes cluttering the bathroom drawer. Maybe it’s just the brands we’ve tried, but mint seems to be the only one that gets used up before expiring.
I keep hearing about water flossers being a game-changer, but I’m still not convinced they’re the answer for everyone. We tried one, and while it did help get food out from around the brackets, it was so messy that I started to dread the cleanup more than the old-fashioned flossing. My son actually managed to spray the wall behind him the first time he used it... and I’m still not sure how he managed that angle. I guess it’s a learning curve, but for us, the regular floss threaders ended up being less hassle overall, even if they take longer.
One thing that’s worked surprisingly well is setting a timer for brushing and flossing. The kids know they’re not done until the timer goes off, and it seems to help them focus instead of rushing through. We also keep a little hand mirror by the sink so they can check for any missed spots, especially around the brackets. It’s not perfect—there are still toothpaste splatters here and there—but it’s cut down on the “did you really brush?” arguments.
Maybe there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. I just think sometimes the newer gadgets get hyped up, but the basics still work if you stick with them. And honestly, I’d rather deal with a few toothpaste stains than nagging every night.
Maybe there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. I just think sometimes the newer gadgets get hyped up, but the basics still work if you stick with them.
This really hits home for me. We went through a similar cycle with flavored toothpaste—my son thought he wanted “blue raspberry” but after three days it was “too weird” and now it’s just taking up space. Mint is the only flavor that actually gets finished here too.
About water flossers, I totally get what you mean about the mess. Our kitchen wall got a surprise rinse more than once before my daughter figured out how to aim it. It’s supposed to make things easier, but honestly, sometimes regular floss just feels less chaotic (even if it takes longer).
I’m curious—has anyone tried those little interdental brushes? We’ve been thinking about giving them a shot since they look less intimidating than threaders or water flossers. Do they really get in around the brackets, or do they just bend out of shape after a week?
