In August, everything feels fresh and the excitement of a new school year is palpable. Then by October, homework and practices are in full swing, the kids are exhausted by 8 p.m., and the routine starts to slip. (Flossing is usually the first thing to go!) If that's happening at your house, you're not failing. It's common for routines to fall apart, but having a plan to get you back on track can be the key to building a long-term habit. Here are a few of our top recommendations for keeping your family's oral care routine going once the newness of the school year wears off.
Oral Care Tips for the Whole Family
Here are a few of our top recommendations for keeping your family's oral care routine going once the newness of the school year wears off.
-
Attach it to something that already happens. Pick a moment that's already part of your day, like brushing, dinner cleanup, or getting into pajamas, and add flossing right after it. The habit sticks faster when it has a built-in cue.
-
Make it visible. If it's in a drawer, it gets forgotten. Keep your flosser out on the counter next to the toothbrush so it's always easy to see.
-
Do it together. Kids copy what they see, so floss alongside them. It turns flossing into something the whole family does instead of a chore only they have to do.
-
Keep it quick. A routine that takes two minutes survives busy nights, and a routine that takes ten doesn't. Aim for the shortest version your family will actually do on the worst night of the week, and treat anything extra as a bonus.
-
Let kids own a piece of it. Picking their own flosser color or choosing the order of the routine goes a long way. Even small choices give kids a sense of control, which makes them less likely to push back.
Browse Kid-Friendly Slate Mini Flossers
Adjusting the routine as your kids grow
A routine that works for a kindergartener will feel babyish to a seventh grader, and a teen's routine won't work for a seven-year-old. Kids need different things from you at different stages, so here's what to aim for at each one.
Young kids (ages 2 to 7): You're the one doing it
At this age, your job is hands-on. Little kids don't have the dexterity or the attention span to clean their teeth well on their own, and most can't yet reach the back molars where cavities form.
-
Brush twice a day with nHA or fluoride toothpaste. Use a smear about the size of a grain of rice for children under 3 and a pea-sized amount for ages 3 to 6.
-
Brush for them, or finish after them. A common rule of thumb is that kids need help until they can write their own name in cursive or tie their own shoes, usually somewhere around age 6 to 8.
-
Start flossing as soon as two teeth touch. Kids this age can't floss on their own, so this one is yours to do.
-
Make it a game, not a negotiation. Songs, timers, and a colorful Slate Flosser are all important teammates for flossing success with a little one.
Tweens (ages 8 to 12): Supervise, then step back
Tweens want independence, but their technique often isn't ready for it, especially if they’re using string floss. They're also getting new permanent molars, which are harder to clean and more prone to cavities.
-
Check in without hovering. Ask to see the toothbrush, or listen for the two-minute timer instead of standing over them.
-
Spot-check technique. Kids this age often rush and miss the back teeth and the gumline. Ask them to show you how they brush and help them if they need it.
-
Get them flossing on their own. Most kids can floss independently around age 10, and an easy-to-use tool can help a lot here. If your child is using an electric toothbrush, then they’re probably ready for an electric flosser! Try the Slate Origin for a simple, kid-friendly electric flosser.
-
Talk about the why. Tweens respond better to reasons than rules, like fresh breath, no cavities, and fewer dentist visits.
-
Plan ahead for sports and braces. Fall sports mean mouthguards, and this is often when orthodontic treatment begins. Our braces flossing guide can help.
Teens (ages 13 to 18): Accountability over supervision
You can't stand next to your teenager at the sink, and you shouldn't have to. The goal is to build a routine they own, with just enough accountability to keep it from slipping.
-
Keep expectations clear and simple. Brush twice a day, floss daily (hopefully twice a day), and see the dentist regularly. Kids at this age are also ready for a Slate Pro Flosser. It allows them to customize their vibration settings and take ownership of really cleaning their teeth.
-
Check in on results, not process. Pay attention to how their most recent dental checkup went rather than whether they flossed last night.
-
Pay extra attention if they have braces or aligners. Food and plaque get trapped easily, and consistency matters more than ever. See our posts on flossing with braces and check out our orthodontic floss heads for more information.
-
Talk about sugary and acidic drinks. Soda, sports drinks, and energy drinks are a major source of enamel wear in teens, and they're easy to overlook. Talk about moderation and encourage them to swish with water after drinking sugary drinks.
-
Keep it shame-free. Teens who feel judged tend to hide problems. Make it easy for them to tell you if their gums bleed or something hurts.
At every age: don't skip the dentist
Regular checkups, typically every six months, catch problems early and give kids another trusted adult (besides you) who can remind them to take care of their teeth. Consistent dentist appointments can also lower dental anxiety and help kids build a positive association with the dentist. If it's been a while, fall is a great time to book their next visit.
Choose progress over perfection
You will miss nights. Everyone does. What matters is what happens the next day. Skipping a night isn't a setback, and treating it like one is what turns one missed night into a missed week. Keep the tone positive and shame-free, especially with kids and teens. Praise the effort and let the missed night go.
Slate is here to help make flossing daily a seamless part of yours and your kid’s routines. After using the Slate Electric Flosser, 84% of users flossed an average of 5 to 7 times per week, and 98% flossed 2 or more times per week. That means Slate might just be the product your family needs to finally start flossing. Browse Slate products to find the ideal flosser for every member of your family.
Here's to a school year full of healthy smiles.
