Explore Kid-Friendly Flossing Options
If you’ve ever tried getting a squirmy toddler or distracted preteen to floss, you know how hard it is. While brushing often becomes second nature over time, flossing usually gets left behind even though it’s just as important for maintaining healthy teeth and gums.
So, how do you help your child build a lifelong flossing habit without turning your bathroom into a nightly battleground? Here are some practical, low-stress tips to get your kids flossing consistently, and maybe even enjoying it.
1. Start Early (Even with Baby Teeth)
As soon as your child has two teeth that touch, it’s time to introduce flossing. You can do it for them at first, then let them gradually take over as they get older and more dexterous. Early exposure helps normalize the habit and prevents it from feeling like a chore later on. Let them explore the floss and familiarize themselves with it. What toddler doesn’t love playing with something they see their parent use often? If they’re familiar with floss or a flosser, then it’s not as scary when you integrate it into their bedtime routine.
2. Make It a Game
Turn flossing into a fun activity by using a timer, making up a silly song, or creating a sticker chart for consistency. Kids love a sense of progress and reward, so even something small can keep them motivated. Anything you can do to make flossing feel fun is a win. (Hint: If you have a school-age child, then a vibrating flosser is an easy way to make flossing exciting!)
3. Lead by Example
If your child sees you flossing every day, they’ll be much more likely to adopt the habit themselves. Floss together in front of the mirror. Narrate what you’re doing in a lighthearted way and open your mouth wide so they can see how flossing works on big adult teeth. Kids are much more willing to copy their parents than they are to follow their instructions.
4. Use Kid-Friendly Tools
Small fingers need the right gear. Of course, we’re passionate about our product, but there are lots of great flossing options for toddlers and kids who might not be ready to handle an electric flosser. Consider:
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Pre-threaded flossers with fun shapes
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Flavored floss made specifically for kids
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Gentle, soft floss that won’t hurt sensitive gums
Once they feel comfortable with the process of flossing, you can level them up to higher-quality tools like the Slate Flosser. Holding string floss or floss picks can be tough for tiny hands. Luckily, our flosser handle is designed to make it easy for small kids to floss and reach their back teeth!
5. Keep It Short and Sweet
You don’t need to pressure them into perfection on Day 1. Start with a few teeth, or floss every other night, and build from there. The goal is consistency, not perfection.
6. Offer Encouragement, Not Pressure
Avoid turning flossing into a power struggle. Stay positive, offer help when needed, and let your child feel in control. Praise their effort and remind them why it matters, in age-appropriate language. Remind them that we want to keep their teeth healthy and strong. You’ve probably had conversations with them about the importance of nutritious foods or the need for a good night’s rest. Teach them that flossing is just another way that we take care of our bodies.
7. Let Them Choose Their Tools
Kids love making decisions. Letting them pick their flossers, colors, or even the music you play during floss time gives them a sense of ownership and makes the routine feel more personalized. If your child is using a Slate Flosser, take a look at our colored floss heads and let them pick one out! Click here to look at color options.
8. Upgrade to an Electric Flosser When They’re Ready
The Slate Flosser can be used with children as young as two or three years old, as long as an adult is helping them. Whether or not they’re ready can depend on a lot of factors. Do they like the vibration, or does it scare them? Do they like using the Slate Flosser if the vibration is turned off? Do they want to hold the handle themselves, or is a parent's help still needed? All of these are great questions to ask yourself if you want to introduce your child to Slate. For older kids and teens, who might be resisting flossing out of laziness, a simple upgrade can make all the difference. The Slate Electric Flosser is especially helpful if your child:
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Has braces (Click to check out our ortho floss heads)
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Finds regular floss hard to manage
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Needs a boost in their motivation or technique
With sonic vibrations, reusable floss heads, and chemical-free woven floss, it’s a smart, safe, and sustainable way to improve your child’s oral hygiene. If you put in the work to help your child become a lifelong flosser, you’re setting them up for success. Not to mention all the money you’ll save on expensive dental visits! Let us help your kids build healthy habits with Slate.
[Make Flossing Fun (and Easy) with Slate]