How Do I Get My 15 yr old to Floss?
Posted on August 23, 2010
I want my daughter to floss - she brushes but doesn't take care of her gums. She is showing signs of gingivitis and both the dentist and myself nag at her about flossing. We've shown her pictures of the results of no flossing, but nothing seems to get through. I've explained that dental treatment is very expensive and in a few years when she's too old to be on my insurance plan she'll regret it. She'll be very, very poor or very, very toothless.
Her teeth are a bit crooked and could use braces, but the dentist won't put them on her until her gums clear up and she flosses on a regular basis. I'm at my wits end.
Suggestions?
August 23rd, 2010 - 13:33
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/black-hairy-tongue/HQ00325
Will this picture help? If not, treat it as a chore. If you child does not listen to you or clean her room what provisons are taken away? No TV? No cell phone? Use the same method. I have seen many parents spending thousands of dollars on their children, pleas do not let that be you. Take the upper hand and do not let her control you.
August 23rd, 2010 - 13:33
Require it. Plain and simple.
This is a child/teen we’re talking about. Tell her she is expected to do it, and that it is not a request.
Apply consequences for failure to comply (e.g., grounding, removal of ipod/cell, no television, etc).
August 23rd, 2010 - 13:33
Get flavored mint reach flosser
August 23rd, 2010 - 13:33
This is going to sound both cruel and weird, but I think you should give it a try. Talk to any neices, nephews, or siblings of the girl and tell them to make fun of the way her gums and teeth look. For some reason, kids usually will listen to their peers rather than adults like their mothers and doctors/dentists. Good luck.
August 23rd, 2010 - 13:33
tie her down.
force floss over teeth.
just kidding.
you seem to have done everything that could be done short of lying about the info you give her.
August 23rd, 2010 - 13:33
take her to see a homeless persons teeth and tell her thats what happens when you dont floss. tell her that her breath smells rotten due to rotting plaque between her teeth. lie to her about it if you have to, because sooner or later it will get rank. ask her if she would be ok with taking a bath or shower once a month, because flossing is compared to washing your body.
August 23rd, 2010 - 13:33
Really… I used to be like that and nothing got through to me…
NO ONE said that magic word and told me that not flossing can cause cavities just as much as not brushing can. No one told me that flossing cavities are actually worse in a light because unlike brushing cavities, you get TWO at a time…
I agree that she’d listen to peers more than anything… not parents for sure. Maybe you could find someone younger than you who’s more near her age, but older enough to be… more respectable than a 15yr old. I, personally trust my 19-20 yr old cousins more than anyone.
That or staying in the bathroom with her and watching her do it.