Water flosser for children

[Sunnydays35]

My ds is 7 and I wanted to start flossing his teeth, tried tonight with the tape floss but it was impossible. He tried and so did I, I then tried the brushes the smallest wouldn't fit through his teeth. He got upset and wouldn't let me try again.
I have been reading about the water flossers and was wondering if they are suitable for children and if so could someone recommend a good one.😄

[usualmum]

Sunnydays35...Many apologies ..you are absolutely right..its not by Phillips its by Waterpik .. phillips is the one my husband uses...

[Sunnydays35]

Usualmum, can I just check I typed in that model number and it came up with waterpik not Philips. Just want to make sure I get the right one. Thanku.😄

[Sunnydays35]

I also checked with the British dental association who said they could see no reason why a child of 7 or above can not use a water flosser with supervision if they can't use floss . I did also ask a dentist about flossing they just said we don't recommend flossing in children because if it is done incorrectly it can cause damage to the gums. I think they were talking about the string floss!
It's very difficult that every time I read about children's teeth the advice is different. I read the best fruit to give your child is apples as it cleans the teeth, so he has been eating one after his cereal in the morning, then I read somewhere apples are very bad for your teeth. I have been giving him cheese and crackers as a snack between meals but I have now read crackers can be as bad as sweets! I wanted to give him Fluoride mouthwash maybe when he gets in from school which was recommended on some websites and others say he could end up getting to much fluoride. 😁😁😁 God I sound so paranoid but when you have the shock of your child's baby teeth needing fillings it really scares you, unfortunately most the food out there contains sugar!

[usualmum]

I encourage them to use it before brushing their teeth as part of their daily routine. Dentist said they could add a little bit of mouthwash (one third) and the rest water. Its the Phillips WP-462E/UK.
They both floss at least once a day (I ensure they floss at night). Dentist said 3/4 times a week but I find that harder to rememember . So I ensure they do it before bed!!

[hefzi]

I have the Phillips one too, recommended by my dentist. I got it from Boots, and it's transformed my mouth - for the first time ever, I'm not being chided about needing to floss more! A charge lasts ages, the heads are small, it's easy to use, and a child would probably be keen to use it because of the "fun" sensation of shooting the jet between the teeth.

[JsOtherHalf]

Grr at auto correct.
Closest = flosser

[JsOtherHalf]

inspector the air closest uses about 5ml of water per use for the entire mouth. Much less mess than a proper water pik.

[amarmai]

i can charge it in the wall socket and do use it cordless.

[Sunnydays35]

Amarmai do you use the cordless water pik?

[InspectorMontalbano]

So is an airflosser different to a water flosser then?

[amarmai]

i use the water pic and my gums have really improved. Got one for my dd and she love sit too. Must be a gum dentist saying it makes your gums worse!

[iPaid]

That's interesting about flossing kids' teeth. Will have a word with DD's dentist at her next appointment.

[Shallishanti]

I got a water flosser and it was crap
I have 3 monthly dental appointments and during the 3 months I used it the dentist said my gums were worse than when I was using interdental brushes and floss.

[BeardedBear]

Yes, every night.

[JsOtherHalf]

My airflosser is quick and fun.

www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-Sonicare-HX8211-02-Rechargeable/dp/B00DBCHBUG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1453803254&sr=8-1&keywords=Airflosser&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

[Sunnydays35]

Usualmum - do you mind me asking what Philips model you have and do your children use it every night?.😀

[usualmum]

My DC 7 & 11 have the Phillips waterflosser and its fab!! Takes a little getting use to but does the job really well. My Dentist recommended it!!

[chipsandpeas]

i love my air floser, i got it after xmas from boots i have the phillips one as well mentioned, im very lazy when it came to flossing but this has helped i dont find its that messy i use it with water so it can be swallowed but you can use with mouthwash and spit it out, it doesnt always get everything out so i have the floss on a stick things for stubborn
i have the hygenist in a couple of weeks so will see how much better it has been

[Sunnydays35]

Thank you I will try them, do you floss your children's teeth every night?

[BeardedBear]

We floss our DC's teeth (3&6) and have done for half a year now, since we last took DS to the dentist. We were advised to do it because his teeth are so close together and were told to use this type oralb.com/en-us/products/glide-3d-white-floss-picks

It's really easy, but I sit on the floor and they lie down and put their head on my lap, or I sit on the laundry basket and they sit on a step and tip their head back into my lap. Normal dental tape is also possible when I've run out of the picks but much, much more awkward.

[Sunnydays35]

all the research I have done says to floss childrens teeth but it really seems impossible!🙁

[Sunnydays35]

Thanks so much😄

[fuckyoudoorhandles]

Oh and it was recommended by my dentist

[fuckyoudoorhandles]

Philips Sonicare AirFloss HX8211/02 Rechargeable Power Flosser
I got this one from Boots but currently cheaper on Amazon. Not sure how to do a link!

[iPaid]

I thought kids weren't supposed to floss. Something about their gums not being ready (or some technical term). Or have I imagined that?