To wonder was flossing a thing when you were a child/ a teen?

[Absentmindedwoman]

After reading another thread.

I'm fairly young at 30, and when I was wee there was no mention of flossing at all, and I was always taken to the dentist regularly. Same as a teenager. I only started flossing in my twenties when it suddenly seemed to be part of a normal dental hygiene regime, along with electric toothbrushes. I remember reading about flossing in Judy Blume book and it seemed like such a weird idea

I still remember the sense of injustice at age twelve when I went to my dentist who accused me of not brushing - my mother and I were so indignant - as he didn't realise that diabetes means your saliva is sweeter than normal (and at times in my life when my blood sugar was running high, it must have virtually been like syrup) so causes damage. My teeth were great until my late teens though - I think partly from brushing 3 times a day all through my school days, but my teeth did start to deteriorate then, and I now have quite a few fillings and one molar gone. I don't know if flossing would have helped.

Did you floss as a child - were the dentists I saw back then just very old fashioned? Do you floss now?

Do your kids get started on flossing at a young age with dentists now?

I had to ask the Dentist to show me how to do it properly, aged 30

Used to hear that you were meant to do it, but never actually shown how

Just seen the thread on dealing teeth. I only recently told my dentist I was allergic to Elastoplast as I didn't think it was relevant there. He told me there is an ingredient in the sealant that's in Elastoplast and it's one that is a cause of the allergy.

I am 53, and it was definitely a thing from my teens onwards - I think I was introduced to it by my Dentist or possibly the Hygenist. This was in the English midlands.

I'm 36 and it wasn't mentioned at all when I was a child/teen. I never had hygienist cleaning either, I grew up in London.

DH is the same age but American and does it religiously. I'm quite lazy about it but have got a new fangled flossing machine which makes it easier.

I'm 35 and was never told about flossing - just about the best way to brush your teeth. I thought it was optional until I was berated by a hygienist about 4 years ago. I still haven't managed to do it twice a day (more like twice a week...)

I'm 46 and remember my dad teaching me how to floss when I was young, and hating it because it made my gum bleed. Floss seemed to be a bit more brutal.

Dh never flosses, brushes for about 23 seconds and has perfect teeth. I bruush for 2 minutes - floss - mouthwash, and have teeth like a pirates (according to dd2 because one is gold, and the remaining ones have black bits in them - fillings)

I'm 35 and grew up in NI.flossing was discussed. Dm bought it and used it. I used it for 2 days after each dental/orthodontist appointment. Then got bored. Ditto mouthwash.
I had fissure seals too.
My dentist was fab.

I'm early 20s, never been told about it nor done it

I'm 40 and think I heard of flossing in my teens, so probably the early 90s. I've always hated it though and have never done it as much as I should. I now have one of those air floss gadgets that fire water into the gaps between your teeth and much prefer it.

Nope. It's another stupid American affectation.

It wasn't the case for me so having to pay a fortune for corrective surgery.

But my DS has done this since he grew adult teeth and has a dazzling smile.

Teeth are very important. To not be able to smile is awful.

An American affectation?!

Yes, those pesky yanks and their dental hygiene.

Don't even think twice about it Howdoes, teeth are very important! I just wished we'd adopted the American way years ago!

I'm early twenties and have never really heard anything about it. Wouldn't have a clue how to do it!

I'm early 40s, and my mother took me to the dentist from when my first teeth came through (to establish a habit, I hasten to add: it was hers and my father's dentist, so not a "real" check up in the beginning) - I knew about flossing from reading American books, but didn't get asked about it at the dentist until I was about 12 or so, at a new dentist.

My flossing has been transformed by my current dentist (so excited - have an NHS dentist for the first time since childhood!) - he recommended the AirFlosser, and for the first time ever, my last check up contained no admonitions for more flossing (