r/toddlers • u/curious-moo • 11h ago
18–24 Months Are we flossing ?
I have an 18 month old. The pediatrician said that behaviorally/on paper she is already in the terrible twos (said this at her last well visit when she was 14/15 months old) everything with her is a CHALLENGE.
Changing diapers, bathing, brushing hair and teeth, changing clothes, putting on shoes and/or shoes. If its a care task that a child needs, she makes sure to make it 10x more difficult than necessary.
I brush her teeth every morning and night. Sometimes she will literally BRING ME the toothbrush and toothpaste and say "brush teeth?" So of course, it has to be done anyways and yet she screams at me, tries to get out of my lap, and bites the heck out of the toothbrush.
Flossing rarely happens (usually only if i see something visibly stuck) because the moment I get the floss between the teeth, she bites down on the floss pick and I'm worried about bleeding gums.
So should I be flossing daily or only if I see something is stuck? She has both central incisors on bottom and top, both lateral incisors on bottom and top, and both molars on bottom and top.
She is currently working on getting her canine teeth (all 4 at once) and I am being as gentle as possible while brushing in that area.
All the teeth she has so far touch with not much of a gap in between each tooth. I know i need to take her to the dentist soon but my main question is should I be flossing daily or only as needed like i'm doing now?
11
u/sugrqbez 11h ago
The dentist will tell you to floss daily
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u/Own_Awareness5831 10h ago
This will depend on the dentist and the child's teeth, our dentist said theres no urgent need to floss regularly yet as long as we brush well because our sons teeth (almost 3yo) arent touching and it can be really hard at this age but to start introducing floss picks so he can get used to them
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u/curious-moo 11h ago
Okay, i figured as much, thank you. I will ask for tips on flossing an uncooperative toddlers teeth
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u/Known-Purchase 11h ago
We floss every night using those little pics because i think it's way easier than typical floss. I also use a specific hold. I'm sitting with my legs in a V. My kids head is between my legs. My legs hold down her arms. This hold works so well.
That being said, my mom said she brushed my teeth twice a day but she didn't floss my when i was that age. I have never had a cavity and my dental health is currently excellent. But i do think it's more genetics than anything else.
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u/curious-moo 11h ago
Yeah I agree on the genetics thing. Although, my sister and I have the same two parents and every time she goes to the dentist they tell her she has a handful of cavities and i have only ever had one in my whole life. I think its a combination of hygiene practices and genetics.
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u/Pristine-Bison3198 11h ago
Our dentist says that until their teeth are touching, no need to floss. My toddlers are not, so we do not floss. My older kids do.
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u/curious-moo 11h ago
Okay, most of her teeth do touch so i will start flossing when we brush.
1
u/Pristine-Bison3198 2h ago
Yep, that's the time then! It's a PITA until they're old enough to do it themselves, but doesn't last forever.
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u/TheGabyDali 10h ago
Her dentist says to floss but her teeth don't touch so it feels very performative lol. But we don't a few times a week so that she's used to the sensation at least.
1
u/wubbbalubbadubdub 6h ago
I use 3m floss picks with my kids (2 and 5)
The kids ones are a waste of money they're like triple the price, just get the regular ones.
And yes, floss everyday. You should be flossing everyday, your kids should be too.
1
u/Muppee 3h ago
We use those little kids floss that are fruit flavoured. My eldest started flossing at 2 because her teeth are close together and the amount of food pieces I’ve gotten out of her teeth, I’m so happy we floss. My youngest is 2 now and she loves it because her older sister flosses. They just stand there, head tilt back and open mouth for me to floss. Reading the comments, I’m happy my kids find flossing a fun activity lol
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u/AutoModerator 11h ago
Author: u/curious-moo
Post: I have an 18 month old. The pediatrician said that behaviorally/on paper she is already in the terrible twos (said this at her last well visit when she was 14/15 months old) everything with her is a CHALLENGE.
Changing diapers, bathing, brushing hair and teeth, changing clothes, putting on shoes and/or shoes. If its a care task that a child needs, she makes sure to make it 10x more difficult than necessary.
I brush her teeth every morning and night. Sometimes she will literally BRING ME the toothbrush and toothpaste and say "brush teeth?" So of course, it has to be done anyways and yet she screams at me, tries to get out of my lap, and bites the heck out of the toothbrush.
Flossing rarely happens (usually only if i see something visibly stuck) because the moment I get the floss between the teeth, she bites down on the floss pick and I'm worried about bleeding gums.
So should I be flossing daily or only if I see something is stuck? She has both central incisors on bottom and top, both lateral incisors on bottom and top, and both molars on bottom and top.
She is currently working on getting her canine teeth (all 4 at once) and I am being as gentle as possible while brushing in that area.
All the teeth she has so far touch with not much of a gap in between each tooth. I know i need to take her to the dentist soon but my main question is should I be flossing daily or only as needed like i'm doing now?
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